Stony Brook president outlines plans for growth during first state of university address


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Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith delivered her first State of the University address on September 29, 2025, outlining her vision for the institution’s future. Addressing students, faculty, staff, healthcare workers, elected officials and local guests, Goldsmith emphasized the university’s “entrepreneurial spirit…one that is ambitious, optimistic and bold.”

Goldsmith began her tenure as president in August. During her speech, she reflected on her own educational journey through public schools and noted its impact on her career. “I am so grateful for the outstanding public education I have received at a price I could afford, which served as the bedrock for all my future successes. And serving as your president is an opportunity for me to give back to public education,” she said. She also discussed previous roles in higher education and experience as a technology entrepreneur.

Highlighting Stony Brook’s potential before she joined and since meeting its community members, Goldsmith said she feels honored to help “accelerate Stony Brook’s excellence and impact across all dimensions of education, research, healthcare and service to our community, the great state of New York, the country and the world.”

Goldsmith described her interactions with students as rewarding. “Not only are they highly aspirational and extremely talented, but they are also truly grateful to be here. They have told me that they so appreciate that they are getting an excellent and affordable education at a place where they feel they belong, and where they can thrive.” She added that over forty percent of undergraduates come from economically disadvantaged families receiving federal Pell Grants: “what a powerful role Stony Brook has, in partnership with the State University of New York, in making an excellent, affordable education accessible to students from every single background.”

She outlined plans to increase Stony Brook’s regional presence by expanding educational programs at its Southampton campus—including building a new hospital—and leading initiatives like The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City. The project aims to develop solutions for climate change while expanding Stony Brook’s reach beyond climate-related activities throughout New York City.

Goldsmith pointed out recent developments such as the creation of a Quantum Research and Innovation Hub announced by Governor Kathy Hochul; Stony Brook Children’s Hospital being named top children’s hospital in New York State; and collaboration with Empire State Development and semiconductor company onsemi for a new research facility.

The president described her strategic vision using foundational pillars referred to as ABCs but did not elaborate further during this address.

Goldsmith discussed how partnerships with industry can advance economic development efforts locally and statewide: “There’s so much opportunity for Stony Brook to bring big companies, startups and every in-between size of company to this great state...allow us to leverage our research and education as a public good that fuels economic growth, prosperity, security and our well-being.”

She concluded by encouraging collective action toward achieving long-term goals: “I want Stony Brook to signal excellence and impact across every discipline for everyone in the United States and around the world. But to achieve our bold vision requires all of you to be all in. And we’re going to start right now. I will need some help from all of you.” She called on attendees: “help shape it; help build it and help lead it.”

Stony Brook University is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. It enrolls more than 27,000 students with over 3,000 faculty members https://www.facebook.com/stonybrooku/. According to U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges listing https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/stony-brook-university-suny-1960/overall-rankings/, it ranks #59 overall among universities nationwide (#26 among public universities). As an Association of American Universities member https://www.aau.edu/who-we-are/our-members#SBU/, Stony Brook joins 71 leading North American research institutions.

The university co-manages Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy—one of eight universities involved nationally—and was named anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in 2023 https://nyclimateexchange.org/. Its activities contribute nearly $9 billion annually in economic output on Long Island.

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