Andrea Goldsmith, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University and a distinguished researcher, educator and entrepreneur, has been named the seventh president of Stony Brook University.
Dr. Goldsmith’s appointment was announced February 19 by The State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees Chairman Merryl H. Tisch and SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr., following a unanimous vote by the SUNY Board in New York City. Her appointment is effective August 1, 2025.
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “Stony Brook University is a world-class institution known for its academic excellence and groundbreaking research. The institution is an economic driver, an accessible and extraordinary academic institution, and a renowned engine of research and innovation. Dr. Goldsmith is the perfect choice to lead Stony Brook University’s next chapter, and we commend the search committee for bringing such an excellent candidate to serve Stony Brook and SUNY.”
“As one of New York State’s flagship institutions, Stony Brook University is a vital asset for our economic growth and prosperity,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “Stony Brook is known for its groundbreaking research and exceptional academic programs, ensuring that New Yorkers have access to affordable, high-quality public higher education. I would like to congratulate Dr. Goldsmith on her appointment as the next president of this prestigious university as I believe she will undoubtedly serve Stony Brook admirably.”
“Dr. Andrea Goldsmith’s vast experience as a dean, faculty member, and researcher at R1 universities, as a successful innovator, and as a committed educator and academic leader makes her an extraordinary choice to lead this esteemed SUNY institution to new heights,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “From the arts and humanities to artificial intelligence, engineering, and quantum physics and so much more, Stony Brook University has helped more than 220,000 alumni launch their careers, and we are excited to have Andrea lead the university to help more New Yorkers achieve their dreams and lead the future.”
“Stony Brook’s commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and social mobility resonates profoundly with my values, and I am deeply honored to join this remarkable institution,” Dr. Goldsmith said. “I look forward to getting to know the Stony Brook community and to working alongside Stony Brook’s exceptional faculty and staff to serve our students and build upon the university’s upward momentum to achieve new heights of success in education, research, service, and global impact. My thanks to Chairman Tisch, Chancellor King, and the entire SUNY Board of Trustees, and Stony Brook Chairman Law for this opportunity.”
As Stony Brook’s chief executive, Dr. Goldsmith will lead one of SUNY’s flagship institutions, a renowned R1 university and member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), which places it among the top 71 research institutions in North America. A national leader in creating upward mobility, Stony Brook ranked second among AAU institutions for its share of students who receive Pell grants.
Dr. Goldsmith will also oversee Stony Brook Medicine, Long Island’s premier academic medical center, encompassing five health sciences schools, three hospitals, a skilled nursing facility, and more than 200 community-based healthcare settings. According to Healthgrades, Stony Brook Medicine is ranked as one of America’s 50 Best for 2025, placing Stony Brook among the top 1% nationwide for overall excellence in care.
Stony Brook is a partner in the management and operation of Brookhaven National Laboratory, with more than 75 joint appointments, joining Princeton, Stanford, and the University of Chicago on the list of major institutions that have a role in running federal research laboratories. It is also the anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange, a world-leading climate solutions center on Governors Island in New York City.
“The search for Stony Brook’s next president was a rigorous and comprehensive process, and the exceptional caliber of candidates reflected the university’s growing prominence,” said Kevin Law, chairman of the Stony Brook Council and the Presidential Search Committee. “Dr. Goldsmith stood out as a leader with the vision, expertise, and dedication to take Stony Brook to new heights. We are confident she is the ideal choice to lead us into an exciting future.”
“I’m thrilled by the announcement that Andrea Goldsmith will be the next head of Stony Brook University,” said Marilyn Simons, co-founder and chair of the Simons Foundation. “Her commitment to public education, the high quality of her academic research experience, and the success of her entrepreneurial endeavors qualifies her uniquely to lead Stony Brook at this time. Andrea Goldsmith will think strategically and build community and serve all of Stony Brook’s constituencies. The energy and enthusiasm she brings to SUNY’s mission is wonderful to see and will enhance her presidency’s success.”
“The selection of Andrea Goldsmith as the next president ensures that Stony Brook continues on its path to excellence and delivers as a flagship university of the State of New York,” said Stony Brook Foundation Chair Richard L. Gelfond. “She has all the right qualities, intellect, and ambition, and understands what it takes to continue our momentum forward. I couldn’t be more excited.”
“Dr. Goldsmith is an outstanding leader in higher education, and it brings me great pride to see her at the helm of my alma mater, Stony Brook University,” said former Stanford University President John Hennessy. “Her accomplishments as a researcher and entrepreneur are exceptional and reflect her commitment to creating and promoting innovative ideas. Having had the privilege of working alongside Dr. Goldsmith for many years, I am confident that she is an excellent choice for the university’s presidency. I wish her continued success as she embarks on this significant chapter in her distinguished career.”
Chancellor King and the Board of Trustees thanked Dr. Richard McCormick for serving as Stony Brook University’s interim president during the leadership transition.
Dr. Goldsmith is the Dean of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton and the Arthur LeGrand Doty Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She was previously the Stephen Harris Professor of Engineering and Professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, where she is now Harris Professor Emerita.
Her research interests are in communications, control, and signal processing, and their application to wireless communications, interconnected systems, and biomedical devices. She founded and served as chief technical officer of Plume WiFi (formerly Accelera, Inc.) and of Quantenna, Inc., and she serves on the board of directors for Intel, Medtronic, Crown Castle Inc., and the Marconi Society. She also served on the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology from 2021 through 2025.
Dr. Goldsmith is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She has received several awards for her work, including induction into the Wireless History Foundation Hall of Fame and the National Inventors Hall of Fame, the Marconi Prize, the IEEE Dresselhaus Medal, the IEEE Education Medal, the ACM Sigmobile Outstanding Contribution Award, the WICE Mentoring Award, and the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award.
She is author of the book Wireless Communications and co-author of MIMO Wireless Communications, Principles of Cognitive Radio, and Machine Learning and Wireless Communications, all published by Cambridge University Press, as well as an inventor on 38 patents. She received a BS in engineering math as well as MS and PhD degrees in electrical engineering from U.C. Berkeley.
Dr. Goldsmith was the founding chair of the IEEE Board of Directors Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. She served as president of the IEEE Information Theory Society, as founding chair of its student committee, and as founding editor-in-chief of the IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Information Theory. She has also served on the board of governors for both the IEEE Information Theory and Communications Societies. At Stanford, she served as chair of Stanford’s Faculty Senate and for multiple terms as a senator, and on its Academic Council Advisory Board, Budget Group, Committee on Research, Planning and Policy Board, Commissions on Graduate and on Undergraduate Education, and Task Force on Women and Leadership.
Congratulations on your appointment. It is well deserved.
Congratulations to Ms. Andrea Goldsmith on this appointment. With such a distinguished career, Stony Brook University is sure to go above and beyond.