Two faculty members from Stony Brook University have been named to the 2026 Fellowship Class for SUNY’s Leadership Institutes. The announcement was made by State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. after the first in-person retreat for the new fellows took place in Albany.
“Part of our mandate is to ensure that every student has the ability to grow, thrive, and unleash their full potential through the education and experience at the SUNY institution of their choice,” said King. “Through the strong support of Governor Kathy Hochul and state leaders, SUNY is able to uphold our core values and empower our emerging leaders to soar to new heights. I applaud these fellows for their dedication to uplifting every SUNY student, and I know that they will serve as an inspiration to students, faculty, and staff alike.”
The two Stony Brook faculty selected are Susan Lee, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine in the Renaissance School of Medicine and medical director of Stony Brook Primary Care; and Jennie Williams, associate professor in the Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine and Graduate Program in Genetics. Williams also serves as associate director for diversity, equity and inclusion at the Stony Brook Cancer Center.
SUNY’s Leadership Institutes provide professional development opportunities for faculty and administrative professionals who are advancing into leadership roles within their institutions. The institutes include programs focused on supporting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander; Black; Hispanic; and disability support leadership across SUNY campuses.
Eligibility requires candidates to have worked at least one year within any part of the SUNY system—including its colleges or universities—and a minimum of three years’ experience in higher education overall. Candidates are chosen based on demonstrated leadership abilities, administrative experience, and commitment to pursuing careers in higher education administration or leadership within SUNY.
Participation is open regardless of race, color, national origin or sex; all applications are reviewed according to federal and state nondiscrimination laws as well as established eligibility criteria.
