Graduate Student – Masters of Professional Studies in Public Garden Leadership

Job Description

Cornell Botanic Gardens in partnership with the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Masters of Professional Studies degree program offers a 10-12 month academic degree program for individuals interested in leading botanical gardens, arboreta, and similar organizations.

About Us

Cornell Botanic Gardens is an organization whose mission is inspiring people – through cultivation, conservation, and education – to understand, appreciate, and nurture plants and the cultures they sustain. Advancing this mission helps us realize our vision: a world in which the interdependence of biological and cultural diversity is respected, sustained, and celebrated. As a living museum, our cultivated gardens, arboretum, and natural areas serve as outdoor classrooms for instruction across Cornell University’s colleges and host research that seeks to address some of our world’s most pressing problems. The gardens encompass 3,800 acres of specialty gardens, diverse collections and natural areas on and adjacent to central campus and throughout Tompkins County.

The School of Integrative Plant Science within Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is home to five distinct plant science areas that work together to envision solutions to the major challenges of feeding a burgeoning population, mitigating and adapting to climate change and preserving biodiversity and essential ecosystem functions.

Cornell is a privately endowed research university and a partner of the State University of New York. As the federal land-grant institution in New York State, we have a responsibility—unique within the Ivy League—to make contributions in all fields of knowledge in a manner that prioritizes public engagement to help improve the quality of life in our state, the nation, the world.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Masters of Professional Studies (MPS) degree specialization in Public Garden Leadership focuses on coursework in organizational leadership, strategic decision-making, and garden management, education and plant sciences. Students study and work alongside world renowned Cornell University faculty and field professionals in the forefront of garden management and development. And, because of the importance of hands-on learning, students regularly interact with Cornell Botanic Gardens staff and participate in in-depth study tours to public gardens in North America to learn from and network with field professionals.

The MPS degree program has two main components:
1. Coursework: The suggested MPS curriculum includes a balance of courses across two academic semesters to build professional and disciplinary competencies. Students work with a faculty advisor to customize their course of study based on their area of interest and career aspirations.
2. Capstone project: With the guidance of a faculty advisor, students work on solving a real-world problem, building project management and team leadership skills sought by employers.

Students are part of a cohort of College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Professional Master’s students specializing in diverse fields of study. The program is fast-paced and rigorous. Professional Master’s students have a dedicated support organization, offering career guidance and professional skill development.

Education and Experience

Students are selected for the program based on their demonstrated dedication to the public garden field, their work and life experiences, leadership qualities, and academic excellence. An undergraduate degree is required.

Additional Information

Individuals accepted into the program are responsible for paying the required MPS program tuition and fees. Scholarships are available through Cornell Botanic Gardens and the Graduate School.

For more information contact Dr. Sonja Skelly, director of the Public Garden Leadership MPS program at sms92@cornell.edu or visit https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/learn/public-garden-leadership-fellowship

Application Instructions

Students must apply through Cornell University’s application portal. Applications must be submitted by January 15, 2026. Successful candidates are notified of their entry into the program by early April.

Learn how to apply here: https://cals.cornell.edu/education/admissions/graduate-admissions/professional-masters-degrees/master-of-professional-studies/application-process