A&S launches Cornell in Los Angeles study away program

Cornell is heading west. The College of Arts & Sciences is launching Cornell in Los Angeles(CULA), a new semester-long program designed to give students an insider's view of the entertainment industry. Ten students will be selected for the inaugural cohort, which will begin in spring 2027, with applications opening April 1, 2026.

The program, spearheaded by the Department of Performing and Media Arts (PMA), will place students in Hollywood for a semester of coursework, networking and cultural immersion. Faculty say this initiative fills a critical need for students eager to explore careers in film, television and media.

"There's a real knowledge gap," said Kristen Warner, associate professor in PMA, who will serve as the first faculty lead for the program. "Some students have taken the initiative - they've gone to career services, tried networking, even found their own internships. But the majority don't know where to start. That became the impetus for creating CULA."

The first iteration of the program will emphasize networking, professional development and experiences that showcase the cultural institutions, archives and other historical sites of Los Angeles.Students will attend PMA classes designed specifically for them, masterclasses, site visits and alumni-led events, building relationships that Warner says are essential in an industry where "there's no career fair, no place to just hand off your résumé."

Read the full story on The College of Arts & Sciences website.