New York’s colleges and universities are undergoing rapid and unprecedented change. This panel brings together experts, educators, and policy leaders to explore how today’s most pressing forces are reshaping higher education across the state. Discussion will delve into the expanding landscape of student rights, to the evolving expectations students hold for safety, support, and inclusion. Panelists will also examine shifting faculty roles, including academic freedom, governance, research demands, and the changing nature of teaching in a post-pandemic world.

This panel explores how colleges can better support every student through coordinated strategies in mental health, special education, and affordability. Speakers will examine expanding campus mental-health services, improving accommodations and inclusive practices for students with disabilities, and addressing financial barriers that impact access and completion. Together, they will highlight practical, holistic.

This panel will explore how New York’s colleges, universities and specialized programs are advancing STEM education and modernizing their technology and AI capabilities to meet statewide workforce and economic needs. Leaders will discuss strategies to strengthen STEM pathways, expand tech-enabled instruction, and build AI and digital literacy across disciplines. The conversation will cover infrastructure upgrades, new instructional and research tools, cybersecurity readiness, and student support. Panelists will also address equitable access, alignment with state priorities, and collaborative initiatives shaping New York’s higher-education tech ecosystem.