As part of Stony Brook University’s 2025 Homecoming, President Andrea Goldsmith participated in a Q&A session titled “Meet the President: Connecting Past, Present and Future” at the Charles B. Wang Center Theater on October 23. The event brought together faculty, staff, alumni, and students to discuss the university’s direction and future plans.
The program began with a video featuring former students reflecting on their experiences at Stony Brook. Remarks highlighted Goldsmith’s background in engineering and research, her entrepreneurial achievements, and her dedication to public education.
Goldsmith was joined by Interim Vice President for Advancement Scott Barrett as she addressed questions about her priorities since joining the campus in August. She emphasized Stony Brook’s mission to provide access and promote upward mobility. “We educate students for their entire dimension of professional and personal success,” Goldsmith said. She added that she feels “incredibly honored to be leading this university” and sees her role as an opportunity to “take this university to new heights of excellence and impact.”
Looking ahead, Goldsmith shared her vision for Stony Brook over the next decade. She outlined goals such as increasing tuition access for first-generation students, expanding entrepreneurship and innovation across Long Island and New York City, and growing the university’s endowment to support student aid and faculty recruitment. “I think that Stony Brook and New York State, driven by Stony Brook, can surpass California as an important hub,” she said.
A recent state investment is seen as key 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 stated. She discussed quantum networking infrastructure for secure communications and noted collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Attendees echoed themes raised by Goldsmith—accessibility, community engagement, and research development—while also highlighting student experience and healthcare needs. Stacy Jaffee Gropack, dean of the School of Health Professions, commented: “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 described new programs focused on community health promotion.
Anjanette Schildhorn, assistant director of advancement events, said that sharing Goldsmith’s vision was central: “She’s very enthusiastic and very optimistic.” Nicole Morris from Student Affairs noted hopes for people connecting with Goldsmith’s authenticity: she’s “truly authentic, genuine, and approachable,” hoping attendees would relate to her.
Questions during the event covered topics including recent investments’ impacts; expansion into New York City; healthcare growth at Stony Brook Southampton; arts initiatives; lifelong learning; and leveraging partnerships like The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island.
In closing remarks before a reception dinner with attendees, Goldsmith expressed confidence in 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.”
