Ithaca College President Shirley M. Collado will share her personal experience of being embraced by the Ithaca community, and the importance of living and leading with authenticity, courage and a deep sense of connection to one’s journey, Jan. 17 at the first Soup & Hope event of the new year.

Collado will reflect on how perseverance and resilience – her own and that of her family – have grounded and galvanized her approach to leadership, education and honoring our shared humanity.

The Soup & Hope series of six talks is held biweekly at the start of each spring semester in Sage Chapel, Cornell University, noon-1 p.m. on alternating Thursdays. The talks are open to the public and feature stories of hope, with free hot soup and rolls provided by Cornell Dining.

Over the past 11 years, more than 50 speakers – including Cornell staff, faculty, students, alumni and people from the greater Ithaca community – have touched, inspired and motivated campus and community members.

Soup & Hope continues Jan. 31 with Bill Alberta, M.S. ’77, retired associate director of Cornell Career Services and founder of the Cornell Elves Program. The rest of the schedule: Feb. 14 – Cal Walker; Feb. 28 – Imani Majied; March 14 – Angela Winfield; March 28 – Riché Richardson.