Every year, Cornell sends off a group of academically and personally motivated leaders to pursue their passions in a diverse array of fields from government to medicine to fashion. Whether they are in Ithaca or thousands of miles away, as the saying goes: once a Cornellian, always a Cornellian. This spotlight series offers a glimpse into the lives of alumni from Cornell’s American Studies Program. Our second feature is class of 2020's Maya Cutforth. A native Coloradan, Cutforth spent her time at Cornell as part of the Panhellenic Council, Intergroup Dialogue Project, Willard Straight Hall Resource Center, and the school's group fitness classes. Nowadays, Cutforth spends her time running, hiking, and working for M&T Bank. Here's what she has to say about the American Studies Program.
1. What was your favorite course in the program?
My favorite course was Disobedience, Resistance, and Refusal in the fall of 2018 taught by Professor Alexander Livingston. The class was half undergraduates and half graduate students, which was intimidating at first! By the end of the course, however, I had learned so much from my peers and from Professor Livingston. This was the course that pushed me to think in new ways about what it means to democratically govern and what types of resistance are necessary to challenge those in power at times. I find myself thinking about that class often now, especially as resistance continues to shape our society.
2. What is your fondest memory of the program?
It's difficult to pinpoint just one memory, since I have so many great ones. I think the most formative memory that I have from American Studies is when I finally declared it as my major my sophomore year. Professor Ella Diaz, my major advisor, happily signed off and told me how much curiosity I would be able to foster as part of the program. After a few semesters of trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to study, I felt like I had clarity that I could study a topic that combined all of my interests: history, government, cultural studies, English, and more. I'm very grateful to Professor Diaz and the many other American Studies professors who showed me how valuable an interdisciplinary degree is.
3. How are you utilizing the skills you learned in the AMST program in your daily life?
I currently work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for M&T Bank. I remember being concerned about how my AMST degree would apply to the "real world", yet I am finding it so useful now. When I have conversations with colleagues about redlining and housing segregation, I'm using my knowledge from my courses in history and current events. When I create programs about improving diverse representation amongst senior leaders, I'm thinking back to my coursework on political leadership. When I talk to employees who are frustrated about now being able to be their authentic selves, I think back to the classes I took on cross-cultural solidarity and resistance. My AMST coursework taught me about American culture, politics, history, and literature with a constant theme of empathy and social change at its core.
4. Are you currently at a place you envisioned yourself being in while in college?
Definitely not! Never did I think that I would be working for a bank. I didn't know that the type of role that I have now (Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager) even existed in the financial sector. I knew that I was interested in education, diversity, and people, but I wasn't quite sure where I would end up. I'm thankful that I majored in American Studies because it gave me a unique perspective to bring to my role now.
5. What's one piece of advice you have for current Cornellians?
Major in American Studies! But seriously, I still rave to my friends about how incredible American Studies is. I took such a variety of classes that somehow all connected to one another, and I learned so much about myself and the world because of those courses.
