SUNY Westchester Community College recently convened educators, administrators, and national partners from the New York Metro area and beyond for the New York HSI STEM Hub Summit, a daylong event focused on advancing faculty capacity, encouraging networking, collaboration, and innovation in STEM education at community colleges.
Held on March 27 at the College’s Gateway Center, the Summit brought together participants from SUNY and CUNY institutions, as well as partners from The Center for Broadening Participation in STEM at Arizona State University and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The event marked an important step forward in the continued growth of the NY HSI STEM Hub, a collaborative initiative designed to strengthen STEM teaching, expand institutional capacity, and increase access to research and funding opportunities for New York metropolitan area SUNY and CUNY colleges.
The Summit underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing shared challenges in STEM education, including expanding access, closing equity gaps, and improving student outcomes. Through a combination of keynote presentations, faculty-led sessions, and interactive workshops, participants engaged in meaningful dialogue and knowledge-sharing aimed at building stronger, more inclusive pathways for students.
The program featured a keynote address from Dr. Michael Ferrara, Section Head of the Directorate for STEM Education at the National Science Foundation, along with sessions on student-centered teaching practices, growth mindset in STEM classrooms, and strategies for navigating NSF grant opportunities. Attendees also participated in hands-on sessions focused on grantsmanship, including proposal development and review processes, as well as faculty roundtables and administrative discussions.
Throughout the day, participants explored how to better understand and access NSF funding opportunities, with a particular emphasis on demystifying the grant-writing process and learning from examples of successfully funded programs. The Summit also created space for faculty and administrators to connect with peers from across institutions, exchange ideas, and engage in conversations with others working toward similar goals in STEM education.
Feedback from attendees highlighted the value of both the structured sessions and the collaborative environment. Participants noted the benefit of gaining clearer insight into grant opportunities and proposal development, while also emphasizing the importance of networking and peer-to-peer learning. The opportunity to engage in sustained dialogue, share experiences, and build connections across campuses contributed to what many described as a highly impactful and comprehensive day of learning.
“The NY HSI STEM Hub is building more than programming—it is building a community of practice grounded in evidence, collaboration, and continuous improvement,” said Dr. Vanessa Morest, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at SUNY Westchester Community College. “We are seeing faculty deepen their teaching, expand their understanding of funding opportunities, and form meaningful cross-campus connections. This work is helping to create the conditions for more inclusive, effective STEM learning environments—and ultimately, stronger pathways for our students into high-demand careers.”
“Our work with SUNY and CUNY educators culminates at this annual Summit and is intended to incentivize efforts to encourage, support and graduate STEM students, thus broadening student access and participation in the STEMworkforce,” said Caroline Vaningen-Dunn, Executive Director, Center for Broadening Participation in STEM, Arizona State University.
The NY HSI STEM Hub, supported by NSF funding, has evolved over the past year into a growing networked improvement community connecting SUNY and CUNY Community Colleges in the downstate region. Interim evaluation findings indicate increased faculty engagement in student-centered instructional practices, growing confidence in grantsmanship, and strong interest in continued collaboration across institutions.
As the initiative continues to expand, SUNY Westchester Community College remains focused on strengthening partnerships, supporting faculty development, and advancing innovative approaches to STEM education that promote access, equity, and student success.
For more information about the NY HSI STEM Hub, visit: https://www.sunywcc.edu/programs/ny-hsi-stem-hub/
