President Goldsmith Holds Fireside Chat with Undergraduate Student Government

Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith sat down with Ece Naz Durali '27, vice president of student affairs for Undergraduate Student Government, for a fireside chat to help the student body learn more about her vision for Stony Brook University.

Goldsmith noted that she has had "an amazing 100-plus days as Stony Brook's seventh president," adding that what she finds most inspiring about Stony Brook is its students. "Especially the undergraduates. They're so grateful to be here. They're so hard working and aspirational and inspiring."

Durali noted that in the president's State of the University Address, she outlined a bold vision for accelerating excellence and impact, and asked Goldsmith what aspects of that vision will most directly impact the undergraduate experience.

Goldsmith pointed to the 'Accelerate, Build, Catalyze' themes that emerged from discussions with people from across the university, and added that student input is important. "People ask me, what's my strategic vision? I say, it's not my vision, it's our vision. We have to craft it together."

The president referred to the Strategic Plan page on her website where people can submit their ideas. "So for the students, I hope that they will contribute to the strategic planning and help to shape this vision," she said.

When asked about what kinds of research or workforce opportunities could be created for undergraduates in the coming years, Goldsmith pointed to the $300 million investment by New York State for quantum research and innovation, the most that Governor Kathy Hochul has invested in any SUNY university at any one time for one topic, as one example of Stony Brook's research leadership. "It is an incredible validation of the excellence that we have here at Stony Brook in research and education," she said.

Goldsmith also discussed experiential learning opportunites at places like Brookhaven National Laboratory, which Stony Brook has the responsibility of co-managing for the U.S. Department of Energy, and The New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City, for which Stony Brook is the anchor institution.

Other topics discussed in the chat included innovation and entrepreneurship, affordability and upward mobility, student support and the strong sense of community felt at Stony Brook.

"I really encourage students to explore, to be bold, to not be afraid to fail, and to take full advantage of what Stony Brook has to offer them," Goldsmith said.