Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith recently participated in a series of meetings in Washington, D.C., as part of the 2025 SUNY Advocacy Day. The event brought together university presidents, campus leaders, and government relations professionals from across the State University of New York (SUNY) system to discuss federal priorities for public higher education.
The program began with a Capitol Hill reception on December 3 and continued with a full day of coordinated meetings on December 4. These sessions focused on highlighting the role of New York’s public universities in research, education, and workforce development.
President Goldsmith took part in small-group conversations with members of Congress to emphasize Stony Brook’s key concerns. These included federal research funding, student financial aid, and medical reimbursements—issues considered essential for maintaining excellence and impact in education, healthcare, and workforce preparation.
“The DC meetings underscored the strong alignment of SUNY and Stony Brook’s strategic mission with the nation’s priorities — from scientific discovery to workforce development. The strong support we received on Capitol Hill and from the administration reflects the essential role public universities play in driving innovation and opportunity for all. I look forward to deepening these partnerships in the months and years ahead,” said President Goldsmith.
On December 3, President Goldsmith met with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), who affirmed NIH’s ongoing support for research at public universities. This meeting highlighted how collaboration between federal agencies and universities contributes to advances in science and medicine.
Later that day at Capitol Hill, President Goldsmith thanked Senator Chuck Schumer for his consistent support for both Stony Brook University and the broader SUNY system. She also attended meetings with members of New York’s House delegation: Rep. Nick LaLota, Rep. Tom Suozzi, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, as well as senior staff from Rep. Laura Gillen’s office—all expressed backing for SUNY institutions’ roles in economic growth, innovation, and workforce training.
A meeting later that day with Congresswoman Grace Meng focused on ensuring sustained federal investment in science agencies supporting institutions like Stony Brook.
On December 4, President Goldsmith met with a senior official at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to discuss collaboration opportunities related to quantum information science and artificial intelligence (AI). The discussion noted Stony Brook’s partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratory on quantum science projects as well as its strengths in AI research. OSTP officials indicated interest in expanding cooperation based on this conversation.
Stony Brook’s Office of Federal Relations supported these engagements by identifying further opportunities to work with federal agencies that advance both university initiatives and those at Stony Brook Medicine. The overall event demonstrated how collective action by campuses throughout New York State can reinforce SUNY’s national leadership position among public higher education institutions through direct engagement with policymakers.
