In the season finale of the Inclusive Excellence Podcast, co-hosts Erin Sember-Chase and Toral Patel welcome Kathryn Boor ‘80, dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate education for a conversation about her journey at Cornell – both as a student and an academic leader.

Boor first arrived at the university as an undergraduate student before eventually becoming the first female professor in food science. She went on to serve two terms as the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), and now is the dean of the Graduate School. 

Across these roles, Boor has remained an advocate for fostering a sense of belonging among Cornell’s diverse student population – something she has experienced firsthand. She opens up about her early struggles with imposter syndrome, a feeling that’s all too familiar to many in academia. 

“When I first got to Cornell, I felt like I was on the wrong side of the desk – like I belonged with the students, not the faculty,” Boor admitted. “That feeling of imposter syndrome is so pervasive. But what I’ve learned is this: when you’re admitted to a place like Cornell, you’re here for a reason. You were chosen because of what you bring. And you’re not alone — most people are just as scared as you are. The key is to find your support, then become that support for someone else.”

Throughout her tenure, Boor has led with a style rooted in trust, empowerment and collaboration – a philosophy shaped by her own experiences and tested through times of profound change. She reflects on her transition to the Graduate School, which came at a pivotal moment – mid-pandemic – as students grappled with isolation, burnout and uncertainty. For Boor, taking on the role was a natural extension of her deep commitment to Cornell. 

“Cornell really is my home,” she said. “This was an opportunity to serve – and to help our students feel they belong here, too.”

At the end of last year, Boor announced that she will step down from her role as dean of the Graduate School following the completion of her term on June 30, 2025. While preparing for this transition, her hopes for the university’s future remain rooted in the values that have guided her career.

“My vision and my fondest wish is that we will get to a place where diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are so integral to who we are — so central to our personalities — that it's not even necessary to achieve them, because they’re already a part of how we live and lead,” Boor said. “I am confident that Cornell University, with its founding values of “Any person, any study,” and the principles under which we conduct ourselves, will continue to move us in that direction. I'm so proud to have been a member of this institution and to know that we remain true to those principles — even as we face challenging moments.”

As Boor looks ahead to her next chapter, she leaves listeners with a message of encouragement – one inspired by poet Maya Angelou and rooted in a line from a Gary Allan song. To hear the full season finale, tune in to Episode 97: “Every Storm Runs Out of Rain” with Dean Kathryn Boor ’80.