At a recent summit, the SUNY and CUNY faculty stood out as a driving force in advancing STEM education across the New York metropolitan area, where progress in this space is especially critical.  

On March 27, SUNY Westchester Community College hosted the NY HSI STEM Hub Summit at the Gateway Center in Valhalla, a pivotal event focused on strengthening STEM education across the region.  

SUNY Westchester Community College was awarded the NSF New York (NY) HSI STEM Hub initiative with the Center for Broadening Participation STEM at Arizona State University funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF# 2311235) to strengthen STEM education, faculty development, and institutional capacity across SUNY and CUNY campuses.

Through the NY HSI STEM, The Center for Broadening Participation in STEM aims to increase access to STEM education while improving institutional effectiveness by aligning faculty development efforts and fostering cross-institutional collaboration. 

A key highlight of the Summit was its role as a flagship event for the growing NY HSI STEM Hub. The event centered on collaboration as a strategy for addressing persistent challenges in STEM education, including access, equity, and student success. Programming included keynote presentations, faculty-led sessions, and interactive workshops focused on creating more inclusive and effective learning environments.  

Dr. Michael Ferrara of the NSF delivered a compelling keynote on national STEM priorities, highlighting the essential role of community colleges in preparing a diverse, future-ready workforce.  

Throughout the day, sessions focused on faculty development, including student-centered teaching practices and strategies for navigating NSF grant opportunities. These efforts were designed to empower educators and position them at the forefront of STEM innovation. 

Another major highlight was the Summit’s focus on demystifying the grant-writing process. Faculty gained practical insights into identifying funding opportunities and developing competitive proposals, an advantage that will help strengthen colleges’ research capacity and innovation efforts. This summit also brought together faculty from both SUNY and CUNY, providing valuable opportunities to network and share best practices. We look forward to hosting next year’s event with even more faculty and staff in attendance. 

Beyond the formal sessions, the Summit created space for meaningful networking and knowledge-sharing. Attendees exchanged experiences, built new connections, and laid out the groundwork for continued collaboration beyond the event. 



As Dr. Vanessa Morest, Provost of SUNY Westchester Community College, noted, the NY HSI STEM Hub is more than a collection of programs - it is building a community of practice grounded in evidence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.  

The NY HSI STEM Hub, supported by the National Science Foundation, has grown into a dynamic regional network connecting SUNY and CUNY institutions across the downstate region. Early signs are promising, indicating an increased adoption of student-centered teaching practices, faculty growing confidence in grant development and a strong interest in continued collaboration. 

As the initiative moves forward, SUNY Westchester Community College and its partners remain committed to building partnerships, supporting faculty development, and advancing innovation in STEM education. The NY HSI STEM Hub’s ultimate goal is to improve academic outcomes and expand opportunities for students—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—to succeed in STEM fields. 

Cohort 2 is now open and accepting 

applications from SUNY and CUNY STEM faculty and grants office staff. The application deadline is June 5, 2026. Interested faculty and grants office staff are encouraged to apply here and may contact ccarreto@asu.edu 

with any questions or for additional 

information.