Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook University is intensifying its focus on climate-centered academic programs to equip students for the evolving demands of a warming world. On November 4, faculty, staff, and university leaders convened at the Collaborative for the Earth's second town hall meeting to discuss new program offerings and brainstorm further opportunities for student engagement. The discussions centered on leveraging faculty expertise and student involvement to develop these initiatives.

Heather Lynch, director of the Collaborative for the Earth and endowed chair for ecology and evolution in the Institute for Advanced Computational Sciences, highlighted the need to prepare students for sustainability challenges in their future careers. "All of these companies have to think about the sustainability of their own businesses or what impact climate change might have on their business. So, we are preparing students for real jobs, and we want to train students to have those skills," she stated.

Kevin Reed, Stony Brook’s associate provost for climate sustainability and chief climate scientist at The New York Climate Exchange, emphasized aligning academic programs with job market needs by cross-referencing student interest with employment data. He remarked that this alignment sometimes necessitates updating existing programs.

Paul Shepson, Dean of SoMAS, echoed the sentiment by stressing campus-wide collaboration. He mentioned exploring expansions from existing degrees like BS in biology towards more specialized environmental biology programs.

Catherine Sherman, assistant dean of the University Honors Programs, suggested revamping curricula to attract faculty mentors who can guide students through projects related to environmental analysis. "Faculty will be working with students to maybe test drive different types of courses," she noted.

Lynch underscored the importance of cross-departmental collaboration in developing interdisciplinary degree programs tailored to future workforce needs. Initiatives under consideration include a one-credit course titled "Climate Change and You" set for Spring 2025, alongside experiential learning opportunities both on- and off-campus.

The New York Climate Exchange is also expanding its efforts as an anchor institution since April 2023 by offering internships that provide hands-on experience in climate research. The nonprofit plans a new facility on Governors Island by 2028 as a hub for academic and corporate collaborations.

Lynch expressed hope that Stony Brook's climate-focused programming would align with global climate action needs and inspire future leaders prepared to address complex environmental challenges. "Addressing climate change is going to take a collaborative effort from all corners of Stony Brook," she concluded.

— Alexander Noll and J.D. Allen