International students at Stony Brook University now have a dedicated space in the heart of campus with the opening of the International Student Center on the ground floor of Melville Library. The new center was officially launched in early October with a ribbon-cutting event attended by nearly 100 students, faculty, and staff.
Lindsi Walker, senior associate provost for global affairs, addressed those gathered: “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 launch event featured raffles of SBU-branded items and an assortment of international treats reflecting the diversity of Stony Brook’s student body. Students enjoyed moon cakes and gulab jamun alongside traditional American desserts.
The center offers areas for studying and relaxing as well as offices for members of the International Student Success team. These resources make it easier for students to seek help or tutoring.
The establishment of the center highlights Stony Brook University’s ongoing efforts to recruit and support international students. After reaching a peak enrollment of nearly 4,600 international students in fall 2019, numbers dropped to 3,600 following the onset of the Covid pandemic. Enrollment has since recovered to almost 4,000 this fall, including approximately 1,100 new freshman, transfer, or graduate students.
Most international students at Stony Brook come from China and India; overall, university enrollment includes individuals from more than 100 countries.
Carl W. Lejuez, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at Stony Brook University said: “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.”
