Carolyn Stephenson Named a SUNY Basic Needs Champion

Carolyn Stephenson, director of Student Support and Family Services at Stony Brook University, was one of nine faculty and staff statewide recognized as a Basic Needs Champion at the State University of New York (SUNY) Basic Needs Summit.

The champions were nominated by their respective campus presidents and chosen for their commitment to addressing barriers and supporting access to essential resources for students on their individual campuses.

The Student Support Team at Stony Brook provides effective support to students facing unique challenges by fostering a culture of care and promoting student resilience through collaboration of resources and advocacy. It coordinates efforts to assist students who encounter challenges or concerns in achieving success at Stony Brook University. Family Services and Support partners with a student's family in working toward student success. It is a cross-departmental team that helps support students regardless of where they are in their academic journey.

The SUNY Basic Needs Summit is a first-of-its-kind event that brings together SUNY System Administration staff, representatives from SUNY campuses and national experts to address efforts to improve student access to essential needs.

At the summit on September 24, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Merryl H. Tisch, announced the expansion of student support initiatives to improve access to food, housing, child care, and transportation.

As part of SUNY's ongoing work to ensure student-parents feel welcome and supported, SUNY will launch a mini-grant program for campuses to provide child-friendly lounges, study corrals, and financial aid training so student-parents can maximize the financial assistance they receive. In addition, meal swipe donation programs will be implemented across 11 campuses this Fall to allow unused meal swipes to be donated to a campus bank for students facing food insecurity.

"SUNY has a steadfast commitment to ensuring students have the support they need to thrive throughout their academic journeys and beyond," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. "The Basic Needs Summit highlights remarkable individuals who uphold that commitment and continuously champion initiatives like the meal swipe donations program and food pantries that support students as they complete their studies."

SUNY is committed to expanding access to essential resources for students. Chancellor King announced additional basic needs initiatives, including establishing student emergency aid funds on all 64 SUNY campuses and expanding support for foster and formerly homeless youth. In March, Chancellor King joined students for a roundtable to discuss how emergency aid grants have made the pathway to higher education more accessible. In January, SUNY announced the expansion of basic needs programs including food lockers, projects to address housing security, and programs to fill transportation gaps.