International students at Stony Brook University now have a dedicated space on campus with the opening of the International Student Center on the ground floor of Melville Library. The center was officially launched in early October and welcomed nearly 100 students, faculty, and staff to its ribbon-cutting event.
Lindsi Walker, senior associate provost for global affairs, addressed attendees at the opening: “This is for the students. Everything we have and everything we are building is for you. Now you have a physical space dedicated to serving you, but this is about more than physical space. This is about our commitment at Stony Brook to standing with you and seeing you succeed — academically, culturally, socially, and into your future.”
The new center features areas where students can study or relax, as well as offices for staff from the International Student Success team who provide support services such as tutoring.
Stony Brook University’s commitment to international students is reflected in its enrollment numbers. The university saw international student enrollment reach almost 4,600 in fall 2019 before dropping to 3,600 following the Covid-19 pandemic. Numbers have since recovered to nearly 4,000 this fall, including about 1,100 new freshman, transfer, or graduate students.
Most international students at Stony Brook come from China and India. Overall, students represent more than 100 countries.
Carl W. Lejuez, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, also spoke at the event: “At Stony Brook, we believe that international students make us a better country and a better place to be. We don’t take the privilege of you being here for granted. We’re going to work everyday to help you feel that you made the right choice in coming here, that you are wanted here, and that your presence here makes this university better.”
