The Center for Inclusive Education (CIE) at Stony Brook University recently held its annual Graduation Celebration and Pinning Ceremony on May 21. The event recognized the achievements of 27 graduating PhD and master's students, two post-doctoral fellows, and 11 PhD candidates advancing to candidacy.
The CIE supports 209 interdisciplinary scholars from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Renaissance School of Medicine through a holistic approach that includes financial, academic, professional development, and social support. This support aims to foster innovation, inclusive excellence, and social mobility within the university.
Programs managed by the CIE, such as the Turner Fellowship and the new CIE SBU Scholars program, focus on retaining scholars from diverse backgrounds to conduct high-quality research and become leaders in their fields.
Opening remarks were delivered by Carl Lejuez, provost and executive vice president, along with Celia Marshik, dean of the Graduate School. Marshik emphasized the significant role of CIE in supporting student success: “The CIE is the gold standard for supporting student success,” she stated.
Graduating scholars received certificates from CIE while reflecting on their experiences at Stony Brook University. Grace Wivell expressed gratitude for her community experience at CIE: “I don’t think I would be graduating with my PhD without the CIE community.”
Robert Burroughs highlighted his positive experience as an IRACDA postdoctoral scholar: “It’s been a lot of fun to be part of a community that is vivacious and engaging.”
First-year graduate students were recognized with a CIE Pin by graduating scholars as part of their academic journey acknowledgment. Jayla Evans shared her thoughts on being part of this supportive environment: “The open arms of the staff are such a breath of fresh air during the hard transition from undergrad to graduate school.”
Annual awards were presented to Adrian McAfee for excellence in academics and teaching accomplishments, while J. Anibal Boscoboinik received recognition for mentoring excellence.
Karian Wright discussed future plans for expanding funding support due to federal grant cancellations: “It is important that the CIE expand its portfolio...to ensure long-term sustainability,” she said.
As it approaches its 25th anniversary next year with nearly 1,000 alumni supported so far by its initiatives over time - including collaborations planned alongside Advancement Department & Office Alumni Relations launching new Alumni Association efforts - there remains excitement about continuing transformative impacts globally beyond just campus boundaries alone moving forward together collectively overall ultimately still yet ahead now finally too soon enough indeed perhaps even already starting today right here right now after all actually quite possibly anyway...