SUNY chancellor John B. King Jr. blasts 'threats' to higher education research, promotes DEI in annual State of the University address

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. doubled down Wednesday on the importance of innovative research and diversity and equity opportunities, while also announcing the expansion of student programs during his third State of the University address.

King’s address, held in Albany, comes at a time when universities across the country are seeing cuts to their research programs by the Trump administration, as well as pressure to do away with diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives.

"I want to be extremely clear: The threats to higher education research budgets at the federal level strike at the heart of lifesaving innovation," he said during his speech. "SUNY’s groundbreaking work is not immune — everything from medical discoveries like cures for Alzheimer’s and new early detection methods for cancers and brain aneurysms, to our work studying treatments for 9/11 first responders, and so much more — is at risk. And despite these attacks, our resolve is unwavering."

King, who oversees a system of 64 colleges and universities in New York, also discussed initiatives implemented to attract more students, lauded workforce development programs and detailed research advancements occurring on SUNY campuses.

Research funding

In his speech, King touted the SUNY Empire AI initiative, a partnership between New York’s public and private universities to further research that addresses societal issues like climate change, global food insecurity and urban poverty. The initiative is based at SUNY’s University at Buffalo.

In addition to eight new departments and AI centers announced last year, King said more is coming.

"This year, we will build partnerships between our research-intensive University Centers and other two- and four-year campuses to engage more students in AI-powered research and in AI workforce readiness," King said.

The chancellor spoke of SUNY Binghamton associate professor Jeremy Blackburn, who he said is working with AI to "understand how social media is used to spread extremist ideologies." King said Blackburn recently lost a grant from the National Science Foundation that was awarded to him to study misinformation and disinformation, but King said the professor was hopeful that Empire AI would allow him to continue his work. 

King also announced the launch of the SUNY Brain Institute, which he described as a "multicampus effort"  to tackle "brain health challenges" like aging and mental health with new neurotechnology.

Diversity, equity and inclusion

King during his speech stressed the importance of exposing students to "a range of ideas and experiences" while also protecting students from hatred or bigotry.

"At SUNY, DEI is not only one of our pillars; it’s in our DNA," he said. "Our enabling statute, written more than 75 years ago, promises that SUNY will provide to the people of New York educational services of the highest quality, with the broadest possible access, fully representative of all segments of the population."

But, he noted, "DEI means continuing to make absolutely clear that there is no place for antisemitism on our campuses, just as there is no place for racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia or any other form of hatred or bigotry."

Starting this fall, King said SUNY would ensure that all student organization leaders were trained in civil rights protections under federal Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. This is in addition to requirements that all faculty and staff complete Title VI training and that every campus appoint a Title VI coordinator, King said.

Expansion of services

SUNY is also expected to expand programs aimed at increasing enrollment and helping students during their academic careers, King said.

University officials want to expand the Advancing Success in Associate Pathways and Advancing Completion through Engagement programs, which support students at the associate and bachelor degree levels. King said more than 4,200 students have received access to "personalized advising services, financial support, flexible course schedules, career advising and a more connected campus community" because of these programs.

King said SUNY is on path to extend those programs to 7,000 students this fall and 10,000 in the next two years. The system also will begin "piloting" evening and weekend child care at community colleges, he said. A timeline on when and where that will begin is unclear.

The chancellor said investments will be made in nursing programs at community colleges to increase the worker pipeline and provide internships for SUNY students, among other resources.

"The state of the State University of New York is strong," he said. "Our strength is undaunted by the headlines and the enormity of the threats we face."