Stony Brook Leadership Appointments
January 13, 2025
Dear Stony Brook Campus Community,
I am pleased to share news of several leadership appointments beginning with Suzanne Shane, Stony Brook Chief Campus Counsel, who will become SUNY Special Counsel effective immediately. Kapil Longani, SUNY Senior Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, and Suzanne have recognized the need for more focused counsel on SUNY-wide legal matters for which she is uniquely qualified. Jackie Weisman, Associate Counsel at Stony Brook University, has been named Interim Chief Campus Counsel while a national search is underway for Suzanne’s permanent replacement.
For the past fourteen years, Suzanne has served Stony Brook University with both superior legal counsel, deft understanding of the intricacies of higher education and employee relations and an unwavering demonstration of grace under pressure. She has consistently counseled on undergraduate, graduate, and professional school student issues including academic and disciplinary policy and procedure as well as matters relating to student activities, study abroad, admissions, Title IX, FERPA, the Clery Act, and the ADA. Her guidance on issues pertaining to the First Amendment and free speech on campus as well as Title VI were particularly critical this past year. In addition, she has represented the University before State and Federal agencies including the NYS Division of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Education.
Suzanne was often called upon to advise on governance matters, including policies of the SUNY Board of Trustees and the Stony Brook Council. She also collaborated with Human Resources and Labor Relations on complex employment issues. She further supported the Attorney General’s Office in representing the University in civil litigation, including discrimination, Article 78, and Title IX cases.
The strength of Suzanne’s team and its readiness to carry on under Jackie’s interim leadership is a testament to the priority Suzanne has placed on mentoring and talent development. Please join me in thanking Suzanne for her extraordinary years of service to our campus community and in wishing her and Jackie continued success in their new roles.
I am also pleased to announce that Dr. Braden Hosch will assume the role of Interim Chief Deputy to the President. While Justin Fincher will be here through February 7, Braden will begin transitioning into his new duties immediately, and the two of them will ensure a seamless transition.
Braden is uniquely qualified to serve in this role given the depth and breadth of his knowledge of Stony Brook University and the impact he has made as Vice President for Educational and Institutional Effectiveness. Since joining Stony Brook in 2013, Braden has led the integration of data analytics, assessment, institutional research, and data governance functions into a world-class operation so that the University has all the data it needs when it needs it.
Under his leadership as the University’s Accreditation Liaison Officer, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education recently reaffirmed Stony Brook’s full institutional accreditation, with no follow-up requirements, and 14 commendations. Braden has contributed to the success of the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost through numerous initiatives, including raising graduation rates by 17 percentage points, advancing the Strategic Budget Initiative, and supporting Project REACH, which culminated in the development of the university’s strategic plan. He has also played a key role in more routine but essential institution-system activities, such as setting tuition rates, managing institutional data submissions, and the presidential evaluation process. Braden holds a PhD and an MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an MA from the University of Texas-Dallas, and a BA from Swarthmore College.
In order to fill Justin’s additional government and community relations responsibilities, I am also pleased to announce the promotions of Lauren Brookmeyer to Associate Vice President, Federal Relations and Carl Mills to Associate Vice President, Government Relations. They will both report directly to me.
Please join me in congratulating Braden, Lauren and Carl on these important appointments.
Sincerely,
Richard L. McCormick
Interim President