Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook University has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the American Talent Initiative College Excellence Program and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The funding is intended to enhance opportunities for transfer students from lower-income backgrounds by providing them with high-impact experiences and skills development. In collaboration with Suffolk County Community College, Stony Brook aims to implement these initiatives through the "Seawolves at Suffolk" program.

The "Seawolves at Suffolk" initiative offers an accelerated path to a paid summer research or internship opportunity with Stony Brook researchers. This opportunity is available in the summer before students transfer to the university. Participants begin their studies at SUNY Suffolk and are guaranteed entry into select programs at Stony Brook University if they meet specific transfer milestones. These programs include Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, English, Psychology, among others.

SUNY Suffolk transfers more students annually to Stony Brook University than any other community college. The partnership between these institutions extends beyond this program, involving National Science Foundation research projects and internships at Brookhaven National Laboratories.

Interim Stony Brook President Richard L. McCormick stated: “Thanks to Bloomberg Philanthropies, accepted transfer students from Suffolk County Community College are already a part of the Stony Brook University community prior to their first day of classes.” He emphasized that the grant allows expansion of social mobility commitments while offering paid experiential learning and career counseling opportunities.

Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College, added: “SUNY Suffolk has always prepared our graduates for success at elite colleges and universities like Stony Brook." He highlighted that the partnership supports Long Island students and families by providing pathways for engagement at SBU along with experiential learning.

Suffolk County Community College is recognized as the largest community college within the State University of New York system, enrolling over 21,000 students in various degree programs. It maintains a strong record in training its students for successful careers post-graduation.

Stony Brook University stands as New York’s flagship public university within the SUNY system with over 26,000 enrolled students. It holds significant accolades including membership in the Association of American Universities and co-manages Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy.