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President’s Report to the University Senate

August 25, 2025

Executive Summary

University News

  • Start of the Academic Year: I am excited to join my first University Senate meeting of the new academic year as Stony Brook’s president. I have been engaging with faculty, staff, students, healthcare workers, partners, donors, and alumni since being announced in February. These discussions have been immensely informative and inspiring, and they have illuminated our many opportunities for accelerating Stony Brook’s excellence across all dimensions of education, research, healthcare innovation, and service. As we articulate our collective vision for the university moving forward, I will continue to listen, learn, ask questions, and engage in deep discussions. One of the most appealing aspects to me of the Stony Brook presidency was our shared governance between leadership and the University Senate. I have a long background in shared governance, and, as president, I will work to identify ways to effectively engage the University Senate and ensure members’ views are heard and incorporated into our decision making processes.
  • Campus Climate: I sent a message last week [insert link] to the Stony Brook university community about our shared responsibility to create a respectful and inclusive environment for everyone so that all members of our community can thrive. Stony Brook is committed to free inquiry as the bedrock of education, and our interactions should be guided by intellectual curiosity, care, and empathy because that is what creates the dynamic, supportive, and welcoming environment that defines our special community. As the new academic year begins, I ask every member of our campus community to familiarize yourself with the university’s policies for hosting events, engaging in demonstrations, and the expectations for upholding civil discourse. These guidelines safeguard freedom of speech, promote conversations rooted in civility and respect, and ensure the health, safety, and well-being of our university community.

State Government Relations Update

  • State Budget: The State Budget was approved on May 8, 2025, and provided a third-straight year of operating aid increases to SUNY, which cover costs of our labor contracts and provides $360 million in capital for research facilities at the University Centers.
  • Visit to Albany: I will visit Albany in early-September to meet with SUNY leaders. I look forward to continuing a strong partnership with Chancellor King and his leadership team, working on behalf of Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine.

Federal Government Relations Update

  • Federal Research Grants: Significant challenges at the federal level continue with new award terms being issued by some agencies. The Office of Research and Innovation has continued to hold research town halls to provide an open forum for discussion and information exchange on this dynamic federal environment. The rush of grant terminations and stop work orders that we experienced in the spring has not continued, and there have been no terminations since the last were received in early June. The total number of grants terminated that have not been reinstated is 21, with a total value of approximately $20 million. To date, 13 grants have been reinstated. We continue to support 25 impacted graduate students and postdocs through a centrally-established emergency fund. Despite these challenges, the university received a record number of awards in the month of July and has seen a record number of large awards. 
  • International Student Visas: The State Department has revoked over 6,000 student visas this year as part of the Trump administration’s broader enforcement efforts. At Stony Brook, we are aware of three students who recently had their visas revoked—potentially for minor infractions like traffic violations, though the exact reasons are unclear. Our Office of Visa and Immigration Services remains committed to advising and supporting affected students.
  • Congressional Member and Staff Engagement on Campus: This August recess, we’ve been proud to welcome congressional members and staff to campus, including Stony Brook’s first-ever dedicated congressional staff visit last week (August 20–21). Staff engaged directly with university leaders and researchers, gaining firsthand insight into the groundbreaking research their support helps make possible.
  • Visit to DC: Later this fall, I will travel to Washington, D.C. to visit members and senior staff of the New York congressional delegation to advocate for Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine federal priorities, including increased federal funding for science research, student financial aid, and public hospitals.

Executive Leadership Updates

  • Jennifer Almquist began her service as chief of staff to the president last week. In this role, she will also serve as Stony Brook’s primary leadership, policy, and advocacy liaison to SUNY.
  • Jane Savage will join Stony Brook as our new vice president for human resources at the end of September. 

 

Advancement

  • We closed the 2025 fiscal year with $96.4 million in gifts and pledges, including 19 transformational gifts of $1 million or more, four exceeding $5 million, and a record 183 major gifts of $100,000 or more. This year’s total includes approximately $50 million in endowment commitments.
  • Since the New York State and Simons Infinity Investment matches were announced in FY23, we have raised a total of $126.4 million in endowment support toward our $200 million multi-year goal.
  • Notable gifts closed since the last update include: 
    • $10M to advance medical research
    • $5M to support operations at the Turkana Basin Institute 
    • $1.25M for the Renaissance School of Medicine Scholarship Match Program
    • $858,000 to support SoMAS’s Nano-Raman Molecular Imaging Laboratory
    • $600,000 to benefit the Long Island State Veterans Home
    • $400,000 to support the Department of Ecology and Evolution 
    • $300,000 for the Marie Colvin Center at the SoCJ
    • $161,976 to support research in engineering and applied sciences
    • $150,000 for the Child and Adolescent Resources for Emotional (CARE) Health Initiative at Stony Brook Medicine 
    • $100,000 to establish an endowed scholarship in liberal arts 
    • $100,000 to support undergraduate scholarships for students in CEAS and SoMAS

 

Athletics

  • Stony Brook Football is ranked No. 24 in the FCS Preseason Top 25 poll. The team opens the 2025 season on the road at San Diego State on Thursday, August 28 before returning to LaValle Stadium for the home opener against Rhode Island on Saturday, September 6 at 6 p.m.    
  • The 2025 Stony Brook Athletics Golf Classic was held on July 21, selling out for the third straight year and raising more than $112,000 in support of the department. 
  • The first phase of the revitalization project for Joe Nathan Field and University Field started earlier this month. Thanks to a $2.5M lead gift, the homes of Stony Brook’s baseball and softball teams will see significant upgrades this fall.
  • Four Seawolves highlight the 2025 Stony Brook Athletics Hall of Fame class, which will be enshrined on September 26. The 2025 Hall of Fame class is comprised of Michael Bamiro '13 (Football), Shayla Giosia-Brown '15 (Softball), Sean Chamberlain '07 (Men's Lacrosse) and Erica Keller-Meyer '99, '03 (Women's Soccer).
  • Defending CAA champion Stony Brook Women’s Soccer was selected first in the conference preseason poll. Seniors Linn Beck and Reilly Rich were named to the Preseason All-CAA team.  

 

Human Resources

  • Jane Savage will join Stony Brook University as the new Vice President for Human Resources on September 22, 2025. She brings extensive experience from her previous role as Associate Vice President for Human Resources at Yale University, where she led significant HR transformation initiatives, including improving service delivery, talent management, and union relations.
  • A focus for HR in the coming year will be to continue work on ongoing HR NOW and WolfieONE initiatives, enhancing talent acquisition and total rewards, and supporting employee well-being and professional development.

 

Marketing and Communications

  • Brand Management & Strategic Communications – Led a 40+ leader Brand Message Workshop, provided 24/7 crisis support, partnered on “Research with Impact” storytelling (Nature digital magazine features with 5,100+ views), directed Southampton cultural/research hub initiatives, and collaborated with SUNY Comms on Chancellor and recruitment efforts.
  • Campaigns & Media Relations – Advanced Welcome Week, Athletics, and PR Influencer Box campaigns; produced President Goldsmith’s launch videos; managed major announcements (onsemi, Research Leadership Academy); and secured national/regional media coverage across research, STEM, and medical innovation.
  • Presidential, Digital & Social Media Communications – Orchestrated comprehensive communications for President Goldsmith’s arrival; delivered high-ROI digital ad campaigns (Graduate School, Jazz Loft, Joy Reid); and amplified reach through cross-campus partnerships with Student Affairs, SoMAS, Sociology, LGBTQ Center, and HR.
  • Internal Communications & Creative Strategy – Sustained 40%+ intranet engagement via Be Connected; co-led communications capacity workshops; and developed creative assets for institutional branding, Welcome Week, Athletics, CommUniversity Day, and the President’s transition.
  • Business & Operations – Closed and onboarded fiscal years, managed key contracts (Bynder, Marq, Scala, livestream), and executed media/contract strategies for Athletics, Staller Center, Welcome Week, and SBM.

 

Research and Innovation

  • Despite continued challenges at the federal level, Stony Brook faculty continues to compete at the highest level as demonstrated in our recent awards. In July, SBU received the largest number of awards in a single month ever. Also, throughout FY25 SBU received the largest value of large awards in its history. 
  • The Office of Research and Innovation has been working on improving our ability to quickly and efficiently work with industry on applied research and has just announced a new program to streamline industry-sponsored research called CLEAR-IP. You can expect a significantly more efficient contracting process to support your work with business and industry!

 

Strategic Initiatives and Southampton Campus

  • Southampton Facilities & Research – The Southampton campus is now fully integrated into the University’s Facilities Master Plan for the first time, asbestos abatement and demolition of condemned buildings are pending, a $25 million renovation of Dr. Christopher Gobler’s laboratory is underway, and new beautification projects (landscaping, irrigation, branding/marketing) are enhancing the campus environment.
  • Southampton Personnel – The campus has strengthened its on-site leadership with the appointment of a new Associate Director of Southampton and a Director of Facilities, and recruitment is underway for an Associate Director of Student Life to further support the student experience.
  • Southampton Academic Programs – The campus is expanding academic offerings with a bilingual/bicultural MSW program in development, an Early College Initiative with Suffolk County Community College launching in Spring 2026 that will bring up to 90 students to campus daily, he summer launch of new youth programs including the Dream, Speak, Live camp for children who stutter and the Flying Point camp for autistic children, and the innovative Foodlab’s first credit-bearing course in partnership with SoMAS this fall.
  • Southampton Community Engagement – The campus welcomed thousands of visitors through a robust slate of programming that included the reopening of the Avram Theatre, the launch of the Jazz Loft @ Southampton concert series, the 2nd Annual Hamptons Food & Wine Festival, NPR’s Selected Shorts live podcast in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Southampton Writers Conference, a conversation with Joy Reid (former host on MSNBC), and the innovative Foodlab’s Taste of the Trades program on sustainable farming for underserved youth.
  • NYC Presence – Stony Brook is advancing a partnership with New York Law School to establish a new Manhattan presence that will house the Social Work program and serve as an interdisciplinary hub for research, student access, and fundraising.

 

Student Affairs

  • On the week of August 18, new students (first years and transfers) participated in the New Seawolf Welcome Week, a series of events that acclimated students to the Stony Brook campus community.  Each student had a unique schedule of workshop opportunities to learn more about campus resources; build relationships with faculty, staff, and classmates; and participate in robust, high energy evening programming including nightly shows and activities.
  • Four family events were held to welcome new Seawolf families and acquaint them with student resources and programs: Welcome BBQs on Monday, August 18 and Tuesday, August 19; International Families Info Session on Tuesday, August 19; and Transfer Families Meet and Greet on Thursday, August 21.  
  • About 2,800 first year students moved into their new homes at Campus Residences. Returning students moved in over the weekend. 
  • The Career Center hosted Community Service Day, on Saturday, August 23, an annual event during New Seawolf Welcome Week that provides an opportunity for new students to participate in service activities both on and off campus and make a positive difference. 
  • The Red Book is a website (stonybrook.edu/redbook) that serves as a guide on how to best help students in need. It includes signs to look for and how to respond to student situations including emotional distress, disruptive behavior, medical emergency, or other concern that require support or intervention, as well as contact information for campus resources and services. 

Events to highlight: 

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