As part of Stony Brook University’s 2025 Homecoming, President Andrea Goldsmith participated in a Q&A session at the Charles B. Wang Center Theater on October 23. The event, titled “Meet the President: Connecting Past, Present and Future,” brought together faculty, staff, alumni, and students for a discussion that included both personal reflections and specific plans for the university’s future.
The program began with a video featuring former students sharing their experiences at Stony Brook. Goldsmith was introduced with remarks highlighting her background in engineering and research, her entrepreneurial achievements, and her commitment to public education.
During the session, Interim Vice President for Advancement Scott Barrett joined Goldsmith onstage as she addressed questions about her vision since taking office in August. Goldsmith emphasized Stony Brook’s mission to provide access and support upward mobility. “We educate students for their entire dimension of professional and personal success,” she said. She also stated that she feels “incredibly honored to be leading this university” and views her role as an opportunity to “take this university to new heights of excellence and impact.”
Goldsmith outlined several long-term goals for Stony Brook by 2035. These include expanding tuition access for first-generation students, strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation across Long Island and New York City, and significantly increasing the university’s endowment to support student aid and faculty recruitment. She remarked: “I think that Stony Brook and New York State, driven by Stony Brook, can surpass California as an important hub.”
A recent state investment was highlighted as central to these ambitions. “The governor… invested $300 million in a quantum innovation and research hub here at Stony Brook, to ensure that we continue to be the world leader in this advanced technology and all of the surrounding technologies.” Goldsmith discussed how quantum networking will contribute to secure communications infrastructure globally. She also mentioned the university’s partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Attendees raised topics such as community impact, research growth, student experience, and local healthcare needs—areas aligned with Goldsmith’s priorities.
Stacy Jaffee Gropack, dean of the School of Health Professions said: “I think it’s amazing. There’s a lot of excellent initiatives that really represent what we’re doing as a public university; serving our community is going to be a driving force and moving us in that direction.” She added that new initiatives are focused on community health promotion and wellness through approximately 20 different programs.
Anjanette Schildhorn, assistant director of advancement events said: “the goal was for Goldsmith ‘to share her vision… She’s very enthusiastic and very optimistic.’”
Nicole Morris, assistant director of development for Student Affairs commented on Goldsmith’s leadership style: “she’s ‘truly authentic, genuine, and approachable,’” expressing hope that people would relate to her.
Questions during the event covered subjects such as new investments’ impacts; expansion plans in New York City; healthcare development at Stony Brook Southampton campus; arts; lifelong learning initiatives; as well as The New York Climate Exchange project on Governors Island led by Stony Brook University.
Goldsmith concluded by thanking attendees while expressing confidence about overcoming challenges through collaboration: “There is nothing that I’ve seen about this university that I don’t think can be overcome especially working together with all of our stakeholders and with all of you.” The evening ended with a reception where further discussions took place.
