Stony Brook University’s Division of Student Affairs recently welcomed representatives from 20 campuses in the New York Metro and Long Island region to the first annual Regional Student Affairs Senior Leadership Conference.
The event, designed to foster collaboration and share best practices, brought together senior student affairs leaders to explore solutions to challenges that are currently facing higher education.
“I had this moment where I thought, why aren’t we bringing people together? We’re all dealing with the same challenges, but often in silos,” said Unity Watts-Bailey, director of residential education for apartments, suites and Southampton campus, Campus Residences. “This was about creating a space where senior student affairs leaders could learn from one another and move the work forward together.”
The conference featured networking opportunities, workshops and discussions on critical topics, including student access to care, equity and inclusion, and innovative approaches to campus services.
“We wanted to strengthen and deepen our connections,” said Rick Gatteau, vice president of the Division of Student Affairs. “By gathering together, we can think collectively about how our region can influence the narrative of higher education and strengthen the student experience.”
Added Watts-Bailey, “Time is money, especially at the senior level. The fact that people chose to be here really showed how much this kind of connection and collaboration matters.”
Following the keynote discussion, attendees had the opportunity to choose from a variety of workshops designed to deepen learning and practical application:
- Are Your Student Leaders Ready for Their “Next”? led by Marianna Savoca, explored career readiness competencies and how student affairs professionals can intentionally prepare student leaders for life after college.
- Generative AI as a Partner: Redefining Student Services for the Next Decade, presented by Kyle Adams, Ahmed Belazi, Mónica Bugallo and Rose Tirotta-Esposito, examined the transformative potential of AI in student advising, counseling and engagement.
- DEIB in Action: Navigating the Present, Preparing for the Future, led by Donna-Lee Mahabeer, focused on practical strategies for fostering inclusive, equitable and resilient campus communities.
- Advancing Accessibility: Ensuring Title II Compliance Through Collaboration and Innovation, presented by Ashley Conrad and Gabriella Czerw, highlighted Stony Brook’s commitment to accessibility and ADA digital compliance.
- Integrating Health, Counseling, Accessibility, Prevention, Risk, Recreation and Student Support Services through a Comprehensive Student Wellness Model, led by Marisa Bisiani, examined the university’s holistic wellness model.
- An Integrated Approach to Protecting Our Students: Best Practices in Risk Management for Student Affairs, led by Manuel Cortes, Daniel Soszynski and Carlos Cobo, highlighted risk management and safety protocols across campus.
However, it wasn’t just Stony Brook University that was able to showcase some of the top ideas in higher education today. During an afternoon session, members from various universities highlighted innovative, practical approaches to enhancing student engagement and support across campuses. Each of these ideas was designed with adaptation in mind, allowing institutions to scale up or scale down, depending on their need.
“We were very intentional about making sure these ideas were adaptable,” Watts-Bailey said. “Not every institution looks the same, but everyone here is working with the resources they have to support students in meaningful ways.”
And, these programs varied in type, from the Return to Columbia program, developed by the Center for Student Success and Intervention, which was designed to support students returning from conduct suspensions across Columbia’s 17 decentralized schools; to NYIT’s Bear Boutique, a student-focused resource for affordable college attire on-demand; and Rec Lockers, which allows students to rent and return sports equipment.
“This is where real opportunities happen,” Watts-Bailey said. “These conversations lead to new ideas, new partnerships and sometimes even the next step in someone’s career.”
The event concluded with an inspiring conversation with Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith, who highlighted the evolving challenges facing higher education and the critical need for innovative approaches being taken to ensure students feel seen and supported. She emphasized the importance of educating the whole student, noting that student success is no longer a single metric — traditional indicators like GPA and retention rates only tell part of the story.
Goldsmith also underscored Stony Brook’s commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity. “Diversity is about excellence. Inclusion is about ensuring that everyone can come to the table and fully participate. Equity is about fairness, giving all students the tools to achieve their full potential. That is what we are about as educators,” she said.
— Emily Cappiello
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