Staff Stories: Emily Jensen

The chance that changed it all

by Grace DePaull

As she explored opportunities to grow as a professional, Emily Jensen was met with many “nos” and “you’ll nevers.” Born with hearing loss and cerebral palsy, Jensen faced barriers to pursuing a career she truly felt passionate about. As others doubted her abilities, all she hoped for was a chance to transcend these prejudices, unveil her true potential and feel a sense of belonging in the workplace. Jensen’s chance finally materialized when Cornell offered her an opportunity she had been seeking for nearly a decade.

Jensen first applied to the university for a job opening as a human resources assistant at the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Although she didn’t make it to the final round of interviews, a talent acquisition partner approached Jensen and suggested she connect with Lawrence “Larry” Mancuso, the assistant dean for human resources at the ILR School.

“They saw something in me,” Jensen said. “So, I met with Larry and his team. They were looking to develop their department and decided to bring me on board as a temporary HR assistant. Cornell was willing to take a chance on me, and I was willing to take a chance on them.”

According to Jensen, there is no typical day in her role. As a support person to the team, she is responsible for assisting in all departmental efforts. This past year, she had the opportunity to focus on employee engagement and retention.

“Our goal is to change the perception that HR is a scary place,” Jensen said. “Instead, it’s a safe and welcoming environment to work in and seek support from. That’s one thing I love about HR. I’ve enjoyed connecting with our employees and becoming a safe space for them to come to with any difficulties they’re experiencing.”

Jensen, along with another colleague, recently created an employee wellness committee, which aims to provide opportunities for employees such as a facilitated walking group, a collaborative program with Cornell Companions, pickleball and other activities. She is also responsible for employee recognition efforts, such as distributing work anniversary cards and providing new hires with ILR swag.

Somehow, Jensen always knew she would end up on a college campus. Her mother built a career as a librarian in higher education and recently retired from Mann Library at Cornell. Although familiar with academia, Jensen was unaware of the opportunities that exist in human resources before she came to Cornell. After receiving a master’s degree in social work, she was advised by a friend to consider the field.

“As someone with disabilities, I haven’t always been in a good workplace that had a good human resources department,” Jensen said. “Once I turned twenty-two and graduated from college, I soon realized that the built-in support systems that are often within schools and universities aren’t necessarily there in the real world. So, I was running up against a lot of discrimination and people doubting my abilities.”

Jensen had previously spent a decade volunteering at nonprofits, exploring where exactly to launch her career. Through ACCES-VR, a state-sponsored program that helps individuals with disabilities gain employment, she connected with Challenge, a local organization with a similar mission. Through Challenge, she interned at various locations in downtown Ithaca.

“I experienced ten years of slogging through it, trying to make it and finding where I fit,” Jensen said. “It’s hard knowing where to go because, as someone with disabilities, you need a place that’s going to be supportive. It was really difficult to find something that I was interested in that would be an encouraging environment where I could flourish. But I think I’ve finally found where I belong and can be myself and grow.”

When Jensen first came on board at ILR, she needed special technology for her computer. Because of her cochlear implants, additional equipment, such as a soundbar, is necessary to hear.

“My team provided this from day one,” Jensen said. “They wanted to learn all about my accommodations so that I would have the correct equipment. It feels really good to be able to come into an environment that was already set up for my success from the get-go.”

For many, disclosing a disability is not an easy thing to do, especially in the workplace. Fortunately, the ILR School and Jensen’s new HR team have created an environment where she not only feels comfortable doing so but is also valued for the role she plays and the perspective she brings.

“I found that really rewarding, that I can state my disability and acknowledge where I need help, and my team will be there for me,” she said.

These positive experiences are what led to a surge in Jensen’s self-confidence. 

“It’s a testament to my team and Larry, who is my biggest cheerleader,” Jensen said. “It wasn’t until he brought me on and saw what I was capable of that led me to develop so much trust in myself. He was very patient and had faith in me and helped me heal a lot of trauma I had from past work experiences.”

In her role, Jensen is striving to grow each day – hoping to leave a legacy that encourages others to join ILR and create a culture of belonging at the school and university. 

“Life has a funny way of taking you on a journey you never thought you would go on,” Jensen said. “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I hope I can continue to develop my career at ILR. I’m so proud of doing what I didn’t think was ever possible because all anyone wants is a chance, and once you get that chance and are able to prove yourself, the sky is the limit.”