When a fire struck a local family in 2000, their limited English made communication with emergency service providers almost impossible. This dramatic example of  the need for accessible translation and interpretation services in Tompkins County inspired then Cornell undergraduate Fatema Sumar ‘01 and alumna Joyce Muchan ‘97 to found the Cornell Translator Interpreter Program (TIP) the same year. 

 In celebration of its 25th anniversary, TIP is holding its first-ever symposium, under the theme “The Future of Language Advocacy,” on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in room G10, Biotech Building. The symposium is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required. 

To build the program, Muchan and Sumar began with a survey of the language needs of Tompkins County, then held training sessions for volunteers, gained the trust of the community organizations in need of accessible services, and recruited Cornell professors to approve the language proficiency of prospective translators or interpreters.

TIP has continued its operations as a free, student-run program, connecting bilingual and multilingual Cornell students with those needing translation and interpretation services in emergency and non-emergency situations. They have provided services during crises, including the 2009 Binghamton Civic Association mass shooting, and for ongoing community needs such as parent-teacher conferences, medical services, and food banks interactions, audio tours for the Cornell Botanic Gardens, and special events such as the Immigrant ARC asylum clinic in 2024. 

Read the full story on the College of Arts and Sciences website.