From the President

Tim 

To the Campus Community, 

Sincerely,

Timothy E. Sams, PhD 
President

Good morning to all on campus,

Today is the day!  I look forward to awarding this afternoon the first-ever SUNY Old Westbury Presidential Medal to Dr. Molefi Kete Asante. 

I urge all on campus to join in as we gather in the Duane L. Jones Recital Hall in the Campus Center at 1:30 p.m. Upon receiving the medal, Dr. Asante will offer his thoughts formed through a more than 50-year career as an academic and leader who epitomize the campus’ mission and vision as an institution dedicated to excellence, equity, service and social justice.

• What:  The Presentation of the SUNY Old Westbury Presidential Medal
• When:  Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 1:30 p.m.
• Where:  Duane L. Jones Recital Hall, Campus Center 

Read more about the medal and Dr. Asante's accomplished career on the campus website.

I urge all on campus to attend! Thank you.

Timothy Sams, PhD
President

Good morning to the Students, Faculty and Staff of SUNY Old Westbury,

I grow more eager everyday as the calendar continues to move closer to our 60th Commencement, and I look forward to seeing this year’s graduates, their loved ones, and our faculty and staff as we come together to celebrate the Class of 2026 on May 20, 2026 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

I am also pleased to announce our speaker, who has thorough legal mind, a career spent protecting New York and New Yorkers through the law, and a commitment to serving others and fighting for the next generation of lawyers in our state. The  Honorable Sallie Manzanet-Daniels, associate justice in the New York State Appellate Division, First Department, has agreed to serve as the speaker for SUNY Old Westbury's 60th Commencement Ceremony,

Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels was born in New York City, raised in the South Bronx and is a product of the New York City public schools. She is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 1985. Justice Manzanet-Daniels is a graduate from Hofstra University School of Law, Class of 1988, where she attended on a full scholarship. While at Hofstra Law School, she founded and served as the first President of the Latino Law Students Association in 1987-1988. As an alumna, Judge Manzanet-Daniels co-founded and served as the first chair of the Lalsa Alumni Scholarship Fund, which continues to raise thousands of dollars for aspiring Latino law students

After early career experiences as a criminal defense trial attorney with the Legal Aid Society and as principal law clerk for two justices in the Bronx Supreme Court and 12th Judicial District, she earned her first election as Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York, Bronx County in 1999. For doing so, she earned a Gubernatorial Citation for becoming, at the age of 37, the youngest Justice of Hispanic Heritage ever elected to the New York State Supreme Court.

In October 2009, Governor David Paterson appointed Justice Manzanet-Daniels to the Appellate Division, First Department, thereby making her the first Latina justice in the history of New York State to serve on this Court. Justice Manzanet-Daniels continues to serve as a Senior Justice on the Appellate Division, First Department and is the first Latina to be designated a Constitutional Appellate Judge in any of the Appellate Divisions within the state.

Since her Supreme Court election, Justice Manzanet-Daniels has been recognized numerous times by the legal profession for her judicial excellence, most notably by the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the Bronx Bar Association, and the Latino Judges Association. She received the prestigious Golda Meir Award in 2019 from the Jewish Lawyer s Guild, and in 2023, the Hispanic National Bar Association named her the Latina Judge of the Year. Justice Manzanet-Daniels has also been recognized many times by a variety of community-based and academic institutions for her commitment to diversity and the mentorship of our youth.

Justice Manzanet-Daniels’s life in the community, academically and professionally has been marked by activism and leadership. Throughout her career, she has mentored students of all ages and walks of life. Community service is one of her greatest passions, and she has given back to organizations focusing on the elderly, the arts, and a myriad of community, bar, and professional organizations. Justice Manzanet-Daniels has served on numerous boards, both legal and community-based, over the last three decades. Her commitment to supporting our youth and community has also carried over to her philanthropy. In 2013, Justice Manzanet-Daniels established the Dare to Dream Scholarship in her name. Since its creation, it has awarded thousands of dollars to the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the Hispanic Federation and the Latino Judges Association Foundation.

Over the course of her legal career, Justice Manzanet-Daniels has served, and or, led, numerous court committees, including committees focused on anti-bias efforts. She also has served on the National Committee on Data Science & Artificial Intelligence and the NYS Artificial Intelligence Advisory Board Committee.

Most recently, Justice Manzanet-Daniels served as President of the Latino Judges Association from 2019-2021. During her tenure, Justice Manzanet-Daniels testified before the joint Senate and Assembly Standing Committee on the Judiciary. Her testimony put on center stage the issue of the court system’s lack of diversity. Afterward, she authored her analytical report, “Overview of Latinos/Hispanics in the NYS Court System.” The report was instrumental in highlighting the disparity of representation and helped to secure additional appointments in the years following its publication. She also updated the report and its findings in 2025. 

As the immediate past President, Justice Manzanet-Daniels, together with her committee team members, finalized a 2-year project creating a NYS Latino Judges History Documentary Film that preserves our collective journey.

Given her long career focused on upholding the laws of New York State’s society and her recognized commitment for championing the continued expansion and diversification of those who are considered to sit on the bench, I am confident she will bring an insightful and inspirational message to the Class of 2026. 

I look forward to seeing all from our campus community there as we congratulate and celebrate the Class of 2026. 

Timothy Sams. PhD
President

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

This is a reminder that we will be hosting Dr. Susan Harkness, Vice President Liaison from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), for our on-campus Post–Self-Study Design (SSD) submission visit on Monday, May 11, 2026.

This rescheduled visit represents an important milestone in our reaccreditation process and provides an opportunity for the Commission to engage with our campus community as we move forward in the next phase of the review.

The day’s agenda includes several key engagements:

• An introductory meeting with our Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) and Steering Committee leadership
• A meeting with the President
• Working session with our Self-Study Work Groups (90-minute session)
• A meeting with Old Westbury Council members
• A campus-wide Open Forum for faculty, staff, and students
• A closing exit session with the self-study committee chairs

I strongly encourage all faculty, staff, and students to attend the Open Forum:

MSCHE VP Liaison Open Forum
Time: 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: NAB 1100 and via Zoom

This session will provide valuable insight into the MSCHE reaccreditation process, expectations, and timeline from the Commission’s perspective.

Additionally, I ask that faculty members serving on Self-Study Work Groups make every effort to attend their scheduled committee session in person, as your engagement is critical to demonstrating the strength, coherence, and collaborative nature of our self-study process.

Thank you for your continued commitment to SUNY Old Westbury and to advancing our mission through this important accreditation effort.

I look forward to your participation.

Tim

Good morning to all on campus,

As our campus continues the celebration of its 60th Anniversary, I am pleased to announce the founding of the SUNY Old Westbury Presidential Medal, a new honor our campus will bestow upon visionaries and leaders who epitomize our mission and vision as an institution dedicated to excellence, equity and service.

Our inaugural recipient will be Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, who today is a professor in the Department of Africology at Temple University, the president of the Molefi Kete Asante Institute for Afrocentric Studies, professor extraordinarius at the University of South Africa, and most recently was named a fellow of the African Academy of Sciences.

The presentation of the first SUNY Old Westbury Presidential Medal to Dr. Asante will take place on April 29 at 1:30 p.m. in the Duane L. Jones Recital Hall in the Campus Center. RSVPs are encouraged and can be completed via the Presidential Medal RSVP form.

Recipients of this medal are those people who stand apart because they are transcendent and transformational. They do not merely make progress in their fields. They break through longstanding barriers using fresh insight to create entirely new lines of inquiry that challenge our preconceived notions about the world around us. They change not just what we think but how we think.

Dr. Asante is such an exceptional, transformational individual.

Dr. Asante is the definition of a trailblazer. Much of his career has been spent laying the foundation of the field of Black Studies.  He founded the theory of Afrocentricity, “the centering of African people in their own stories.”  According to Dr. Asante, Afrocentricity is:

“…a perspective, that says that African people are subjects, rather than objects, and that in order to understand narratives of African history, culture, social institutions, you must allow Africans to see themselves as actors rather than on the margins of Europe, or the margins of the Arab culture, or the margins of Asian culture.” 

He created the first doctoral program in African American Studies in the United States. He was the founding editor of the Journal of Black Studies, started over a half century ago. He has directed over 144 doctorates at three different university, including the first White, Japanese, and Chinese students to hold doctorates in African American studies. He is a prolific author, having written more than 500 articles and 104 books.

His landmark text, Afrocentricity: The Theory of Social Change. His book African American History, is one of the only high school textbooks that provides students with an African-centered perspective on history by an African American scholar. He has spent a lifetime breaking new ground by challenging our understanding of national and global history and society and in the process changing the world for the better.

This work was done over the course of a prestigious career. After receiving his Ph.D. from UCLA in 1968 at the age of 26 he became one of the first Black faculty members at Purdue University. He returned to UCLA in 1969 to become the first director of the Center for Afro-American Studies. Dr. Asante was appointed full professor and chair of the Department of Communications at the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1973. In 1984 he accepted the position of chair of African American studies at Temple University where he founded the groundbreaking doctoral program noted above.

Dr. Asante’s life’s work establishes a clear connection with SUNY Old Westbury. Our University was founded and carries to this day a mission to advance social justice through education. We are charged to be:

“..a dynamic and diverse public liberal arts college that fosters academic excellence through close interaction among students, faculty and staff. .. In an environment that cultivates critical thinking, empathy, creativity and intercultural understanding, we endeavor to stimulate a passion for learning and a commitment to building a more just and sustainable world..”  

Without individuals like Dr. Asante building the bedrock of our understanding of social justice, institutions like ours would simply not be possible.

I am eager to welcome Dr. Asante to campus as the inaugural recipient of the SUNY Old Westbury Presidential Medal. With this honor we will recognize of a body of work that not only has made history but forever has changed how we view it.

Please complete your RSVP, mark your calendars for April 29, and make plans to join me as we start this new campus tradition. I am excited to welcome Dr. Asante to campus and to present him with the SUNY Old Westbury Presidential Medal and I look forward to seeing our campus community at this important event.

Thank you.

Tim

• The Office of Communications will host an informational session for all staff on Friday, April 10, at 3:00 p.m. via Zoom. Access the Title II Information Session on Zoom. All staff are encouraged to attend. 
• The Office of Information Technology Services has also made Staff Title II Training in Brightspace.

Good morning to all on campus,

As we move further into the spring semester, I want to take a moment to reiterate a message that I know is at the heart of our campus and its mission. At SUNY Old Westbury, our goal, every day, is to be a safe and supportive community for every student, including our undocumented students.  

Every person who studies, lives, teaches and works on our campus belongs here. Each one deserves to function if not thrive in an environment grounded in respect and care. This is especially true for students who make the choice to attend our institution.

Any student who is feeling uncertain about their safety, feels the need to find assistance, or is simply seeking guidance is strongly encouraged to reach out to the resources available across campus. These include the CARE Team, the staff in the Counseling and Psychological Wellness Center, the University Police, academic advisors, Class Deans, and all other professional staff who are dedicated to student support.  

No student should ever feel alone or unsure. We are here to help, and our commitment to student well-being and success foremost in our minds.

Thank you.

Timothy Sams, PhD 
President 

Dear Campus Community,

This is a reminder that the MSCHE VP Liaison, Dr. Suzan Harkness, will host an Open Forum on Monday, February 23, 2026, during her post self-study design submission visit.

• Date: February 23, 2026
• Time: 2:00 – 2:45 p.m.
• Location: In person in Room NAB1100 and online via Zoom 

This forum provides an important opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to engage directly in conversation about the reaccreditation process, the upcoming timeline, and what to expect as we move forward in our MSCHE review cycle. Your participation reflects our shared commitment to transparency, collaboration, and institutional excellence.

We strongly encourage all members of the campus community to attend and contribute to this important dialogue.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support.

Sincerely,

Timothy E. Sams, PhD 
President

Dear Faculty Colleagues,

You are warmly invited to join me for a lunch gathering at the President’s House to discuss faculty ideas for initiatives that continue to animate the University's academic life. 

• Monday, March 23. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 14, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Participation will be limited to the first 8 faculty members who RSVP for each date.

To reserve your spot, please send an email to Nicholas Capriola.

I look forward to your insights and hope you can join me.

Thank you

Timothy Sams, PhD
President

All members of the SUNY Old Westbury community are invited to attend our State of the University Address on Thursday, February 5, from 3:00 – 4:45 p.m. in the Campus Center Recital Hall.

During this session, I will provide important updates, discuss the accomplishments of the past calendar year, and plans for the upcoming year. In addition to the in-person event taking place in the Recital Hall, this program will also be available afterwards on our website.

Refreshments to follow

Please RSVP via the online registration form.

Thank you.

Timothy E. Sams, PhD 
President

Happy Holidays from SUNY Old Westbury

All in our community have much to be grateful for after a great 2025! 
Best wishes for a joyful and safe holiday season and the happiest of new years for all!

View the 2025 Campus Holiday Message on YouTube

To the SUNY Old Westbury Community:

In September 2024, the campus was informed about an issue that had arisen concerning potential NCAA rules violations relating to the women’s basketball program.

Prior to the 2024-2025 season for the Panther Women’s Basketball team, several newly enrolled first-year and transfer students brought to the University’s attention financial aid-related promises that had been made to them by a third-party recruiter.

Upon our initial administrative review, it was determined that multiple student-athletes had enrolled due to promises made that were in conflict with existing NCAA policy for Division III athletics. SUNY Old Westbury sought to support the affected students and retained Bond Schoeneck & King, outside experts in NCAA infractions cases, to independently review the situation. The NCAA enforcement staff was also notified of the matter and maintained contact with the outside counsel and the campus as the facts were determined.

By NCAA rules, the entire investigation was confidential and, consequently, only campus personnel with a need to know of it were aware of its contents and progress.

As a result of this effort, and after developing a complete understanding of the issues, the University followed an NCAA process of Negotiated Resolution, through which we agreed with the NCAA enforcement staff on the facts, the violations and the sanctions, which were then approved by the NCAA's Committee on Infractions.

The Committee on Infractions announced its approval of our negotiated resolution, including two violations, earlier today. The document released today is available online.

I am glad for today’s announcement as it brings closure to this episode. I’m also proud that we were immediately responsive as soon as campus officials learned of the issue and pleased that the negotiated resolution process allowed us to limit the possible impact on current and future student-athletes and staff, who were not involved in the violations.

Our compliance systems worked as intended. Once SUNY Old Westbury became aware of potential violations, we initiated an investigation, self-reported to the NCAA, and followed all appropriate protocols.

Doing so is evidence of our ongoing commitment to operating in compliance with NCAA rules and adhering to the highest standards of integrity. Having worked collaboratively with the NCAA enforcement staff throughout this process, we agreed to penalties appropriate to our situation.

With this matter behind us, we are able to move forward, focusing on the present and future of Panther Athletics and the students who make it special.

Thank you.

Timothy E. Sams, PhD 
President

Dear OW community,

I am pleased to share that SUNY Old Westbury has formally launched our Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) re-accreditation Self-Study, a multi-year, campus-wide effort that began with our participation in the Self-Study Institute in September 2025 and will culminate with final actions in Fall 2028.

Accreditation affirms the quality and integrity of our academic programs, operations, and services. It also helps us strengthen how we plan, invest resources, assess learning, and support every student’s success. This Self-Study is an opportunity to tell our story with evidence—and to shape our next chapter together.

What we will examine

Guided by the MSCHE Standards (I–VII), we will document how SUNY Old Westbury:

• Advances our mission through clear goals, planning, and inclusive governance. 
• Delivers high-quality learning and supports the whole student experience. 
• Uses evidence to assess outcomes and drive continuous improvement. 
• Allocates resources responsibly for long-term sustainability and student success. 

Our work will be framed by our institutional priorities:  

Expand signature programs and research; Drive innovation tied to mission values; Strengthen our profile as a University of Opportunity; Foster belonging, global experiences, and opportunity.

Timeline at a glance

• September 2025: Self-Study Institute (kickoff) 
• By January 30, 2026: Submit our Self-Study Design (SSD) to our Vice President Liaison at MSCHE 
• 2026–2027: Evidence gathering, analysis, and campus engagement 
• February 2028: Draft Self-Study completed for internal review 
• Spring 2028: MSCHE VP Liaison preparatory visit and Team Chair engagement 
• Fall 2028: Final actions and next-steps planning 

How we are organized

• Steering Committee: The Steering Committee Co-Chairs are Dr. Mike Kavic, our Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), Dr. Sarah Williamson, Assistant Professor, Management, Marketing & Finance (School of Business), Dr. Kinning Poon, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences, Neuroscience Research Institute (School of Arts and Sciences), Ms. Martha Santana, Vice President for Business & Finance and Chief Financial Officer and Dr. Shanthi Konkoth, Director of Institutional Effectiveness. 
• Seven Standard-based Working Groups (Standards I–VII) to gather evidence and write chapters 
• Compliance Committee to ensure requirements of affiliation and federal compliance are met 
• Logistics & Communications Committee to support events, web updates, and campus engagement 

How you can participate

• Share your voice. Join open forums and listening sessions; respond to campus surveys. 
• Contribute evidence. Programs and offices will receive targeted requests for documents and data. 
• Stay informed. Visit our Self-Study web hub for timelines, FAQs, and monthly updates. 
• Champion student success. Bring forward examples of effective practices, innovations, and outcomes. 

What to expect

• Monthly updates to the campus community on milestones and findings 
• Opportunities for feedback on the Self-Study Design (late Fall 2025–January 2026) and the draft report (Fall 2027) 
• Transparent dashboards and summaries so everyone can see progress and contribute 

​​This process belongs to all of us. Your participation—whether by sharing evidence, offering feedback, or engaging colleagues—will help ensure a rigorous, honest, and forward-looking Self-Study that reflects our values and elevates our impact.

Thank you for your commitment to SUNY Old Westbury and to our students.

With appreciation,

Timothy E. Sams, PhD 
President

To the Faculty and Staff,

You are invited to attend the SUNY Old Westbury Holiday Reception and Pie Giveaway on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 1-3 p.m. The event will be held in the Student Union Multipurpose Rooms.

Please RSVP by December 8, by filling out the online form, so we can have an accurate count of pies for distribution. Pie distribution will begin at 1:30 p.m.

Also, we will continue our ugly sweater contest, so come dressed to impress!

We look forward to seeing you all!

Tim

Good Afternoon to the Staff of SUNY Old Westbury,

Please join me for breakfast being held for all staff members of the University on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the Student Union Multipurpose Rooms. During this session, a discussion on Performance Planning will be held. I hope you will join me. If you would like to attend, please RSVP utilizing the form by Monday, December 1, 2025.

Thank you.

Tim Sams 
President 

Good afternoon to the Campus Community,

Please join us for our upcoming event, Inaugural Founders' Day, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, featuring Chancellor John B. King Jr. We will come together to celebrate the founding of our campus, its mission, and values. RSVP is required by Friday, October 31, 2025 via Microsoft form. Thank you.

To The Old Westbury Campus Community

Earlier today, we launched our 2026-2031 Strategic Plan for the University with fanfare and celebration. I am writing to share some of what I said during our launch party. 

Our strategic plan seeks to address three overarching influences:  

1. Advancing of our 60-year-old mission;  
2. Addressing today’s challenges faced by higher education; and  
3. Continuing OW’s commitment to solving our nation’s pressing problems.  

Our plan responds to these concerns with focus on the following goals:  

• Academic Excellence and Research;  
• Innovation and Creativity;  
• Institutional Resilience and External Profile, and  
• Student and Enrollment Success.  

I am certain that the rigorous pursuit of these areas will extend our tradition of educational access, liberal arts excellence, civic engagement, and social justice. Further, these goals seek to elevate the visibility and impact of OW, in a manner that will result in more competitive graduates and maintain our viability for decades to come. 

We are indebted to so many who have worked, tirelessly, over the past two years to bring us to this bold plan. I extend gratitude to the Strategic Planning Committee, led by co-chairs Roger Mayer and Jo-Ann Robinson. The committee led a transparent and inclusive process that sought to engage every member of our community. I am also grateful for the many faculty and staff, and students who gave tremendous support and energy to the process, lending their critique, ideas, and hopefulness to the plan. Finally, my thanks to our Cabinet for the countless hours spent refining the plan and shaping the upcoming year’s priorities. Together, you have done tremendous service for our beloved university. THANK YOU! 

I am proud of the work that we have done here at OW over the past 4½ years. We came through COVID, increased enrollment, retained our workforce and increased wages, launched programs, increased student support, among other improvements. However, I cannot be more excited and hopeful than I am now, with the launch of our new strategic plan. Our plan is bold, relevant, and will move us toward the front of the pack in higher education. Our call for focused and dramatic growth and improvements, while maintaining our proven core (and mission-centered) elements, reflects our commitment to sharpen our view of what makes OW unique and excellent all at the same time.  

I am also excited to witness Panthers from all areas of the campus play their role in elevating our university through the Performance Planning to Budget process. I strongly encourage everyone to bring their best ideas to the proverbial table as we look to use our collective energy and brilliance to realize our goals. Every voice matters to our becoming an even better OW. 

These are exciting times for our university. Together, we must now move from vision to action. Please join me in building and even better OW, as we continue to push toward Owning our Future. 

Sincerely, 

Timothy E. Sams, PhD 
President 

Dear Campus Community,

I am excited to announce today that the University's 60th Commencement Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 12 p.m. at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Please "save the date" to mark this momentous occasion for our graduates and our institution.

The Commencement Committee and the Office of the Registrar will be in touch with degree candidates directly with information on next steps with graduation applications, senior portraits, caps and gowns, and more.

I look forward to celebrating together with our students as they complete their journeys this semester or next at Old Westbury.

Sincerely,

Tim Sams
President

To all on campus,

An incident occurred during yesterday's men's soccer game versus Yeshiva University of which we should all be aware.  Hateful, antisemitic remarks and another racist slur were reported among spectators attending the game, with at least one student and two former students allegedly involved. Our Student Affairs team responded immediately, leading to the expulsion from the premises of one of the individuals. The Office of Student Conduct has begun an investigation into this matter, and further actions will be taken if a determination is made that they are required.  

I spoke with the president of Yeshiva University this afternoon and made clear that SUNY Old Westbury is firmly committed to combatting antisemitism, as we are to combatting all forms of discrimination and harassment against any and every people on this Earth. We hold this position in accordance with the tenets of our campus mission which call on us to cultivate intercultural understanding while we fulfill our commitment to building a more just world.

Yesterday's incident represents an affront to our community standards and is intolerable and antithetical to our values. We have strength through our diversity. We learn through our inclusivity. We grow through the respect we have for and exhibit to one another. We must continue to lean into these truths of our campus as we continue together to work towards the unity, equity, and peace our world needs.

Thank you.

Timothy E. Sams
President   

To the University Community

It is my pleasure to announce that Elliott Dawes, J.D., LL.M., has joined the campus as our first Vice President for Institutional Excellence.  Mr. Dawes arrived on campus last Thursday and is already at work getting to know our institution and its people.

As Vice President for Institutional Excellence, he will lead efforts to ensure that our University achieves excellence through adherence to and progression through the goals we are setting for ourselves within each pillar of our pending strategic plan. He will also be responsible for leading our inclusive excellence efforts and supporting compliance efforts across campus, including legal matters.

Mr. Dawes’ has varied experiences as an educator, civil rights attorney, and higher education administrator.  Most recently, he serves as the Executive Chief Diversity Officer at CUNY’s Baruch College, where he promoted an inclusive, supportive environment for all members of the campus community while taking leadership responsibility regarding  federal and state requirements on a variety of issues, policies, regulations and compliance standards related to areas including Affirmative Action, Title IX, and Equal Employment Opportunity.

Before Baruch, he was the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer for Equity and Inclusion for SUNY’s Empire State College (now Empire State University). He was the lead administrator for all College-wide diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, including drafting the campus’ first DEI plan and convening both the campus’ Title IX Awareness and Compliance Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council.  His career also includes service as the University Director of the CUNY Black Male Initiative, a system-wide program that successfully increased enrollment, retention and graduation rates of male students from populations underrepresented in higher education. His career in higher education also includes service to the Hofstra University College of Law and CUNY’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  

Mr. Dawes received his B.A. in Government and Africana Studies from Cornell University in 1988. He earned his J.D. from NYU School of Law in 1992, where he was a Root-Tilden-Snow Scholar, a Junior Fellow at the Center for International Studies, and an editor of the NYU Review of Law & Social Change. In 2015, he completed an LL.M. at Columbia Law School.

Following NYU, he clerked for federal judges on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He then worked as a litigation associate at a major New York City law firm and later served as a trial attorney in the Educational Opportunities Section of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Throughout his career and life, Mr. Dawes has exhibited a continuous pursuit of excellence and a commitment to social justice, diversity, and equity. All these qualities align well with the mission and values of SUNY Old Westbury and the future on which our campus continues to focus.

I ask all in our campus community to please help me welcome Mr. Dawes to Old Westbury when you see him on campus.  

Timothy Sams, PhD
President

To the Old Westbury Campus Community,

Welcome back! I am thrilled to welcome all our students, faculty and staff back to campus. Throughout my career in higher education, this time of the year and having everyone back together on campus again, is one of my favorites. Every person’s presence revitalizes our beautiful campus and your energy is palpable.  

There are a lot of things to be excited about as the new academic year gets underway. To start, we are welcoming over 780 first year and 530 transfer students to our vibrant university. After preparing throughout the summer, I know that faculty and staff are excited to engage with students in meaningful ways, providing rigorous academic experiences, and supporting their growth and success. Students, I know that you are ready to meet those rigors, take advantage of opportunities, come up with creative solutions to problems, and continue your growth.   

This year marks Old Westbury’s 60th anniversary! There will be a number of events throughout the year to commemorate this milestone. Celebrations began in June, with an inaugural Charter Day, recognizing the creation of Old Westbury’s charter and will continue this semester with an inaugural Founder’s Day celebration, honoring our historic founding. Events recognizing Old Westbury’s legacy and impact, include an exhibition in the Amelie A. Wallace gallery, panels with institutional figures past and present, and the first presentation of the Presidential Medal - honoring a leader/educator who exemplify our university values - will take place over the course of the year. October’s Homecoming will celebrate our 60th Anniversary with more excitement than ever before, while our Annual Gala will culminate the year’s activities. I look forward to celebrating our 60-year legacy with you.   

I am also excited to share that this year also marks the launch of our 2026-2031 Strategic Plan, which sets the stage for the next 60 years of our history. The strategic plan will have the following areas of focus: A) Academic Excellence and Research; B) Innovation and Creativity; C) Institutional Resilience and External Profile; D) Student and Enrollment Success, and corresponding outcomes and metrics. The current draft of our Strategic Plan is included as an attachment to this email.

All community members are encouraged to participate in the final focus groups, and the launch of the strategic plan on October 22nd. The dates are, 

• Staff Session: September 8, 3:00 p.m., NAB Room 1100 
• Student Session: September 17, 1:30 p.m., Library Room 139 
• Faculty Session: October 6, 1:30 p.m., Library Room 139 
• Launch Party: October 22, 1:30 p.m., Student Union Multipurpose Rooms 

A big thank you to everyone who has helped to shape our strategic plan thus far.  

While there is a lot to celebrate within our community this year, it will all take place within the context of what’s happening on the national and global stage. Many current and ongoing events have created a tenor of uncertainty, chaos, fear and confusion that permeates day-to-day life for so many. The devastating impacts created by conflicts continue around the globe. Increased scrutiny and questioning of the valuable role of higher education goes on. The ramifications caused by new national policies and executive orders are affecting us financially, socially, and in many other ways. Whether these issues are felt directly or indirectly, each member of our campus community is already or will likely be impacted in some way.  

With this in mind, we will continue to, first and foremost, provide and maintain a welcoming and safe campus environment, that is free from discrimination, and supports students in their learning, research, and continued growth and success. We will also continue to work with SUNY to respond to emergent issues as they arise.  

Simultaneously, SUNY Old Westbury remains committed to free speech and expression as well as to providing unimpeded and ongoing education that is buttressed by critical thinking and social justice. Further, we reflect SUNY System’s guidance that ensures both free speech and expression while also ensuring an uninterrupted educational experience. Please visit the campus website for additional context and reminders around these policies.  

To maintain robust, timely and open dialogue on the above and emergent issues, I encourage you all to attend my monthly Presidential Campus Conversations. Here, among other matters, we will continue our discussion on the new strategic plan, and host conversations on issues from around our campus and around the world.  

As you arrive on campus for the start of the semester, you’ll notice references to our 60th Anniversary, new additions and upgrades, and the continued construction on our Natural Sciences Building. Thank you for your enthusiasm and your patience with unforeseen inconveniences, as we continue to improve our campus and strive to provide an even more outstanding academic and student experience. I hope that in stepping onto campus grounds, you sense the same energy and excitement that I do, and that it also serves as a reminder of our collective commitment to OW’s values and the care and respect we extend to each other.  

WELCOME BACK! I am excited to see you all soon! 

Timothy E. Sams, PhD/
President

To the staff and faculty!

As we prepare for an exciting and productive academic year, I am pleased to announce our upcoming Orientation and In-Service dates. These gatherings present valuable opportunities for faculty and staff to connect and align our efforts to ensure a successful year ahead.

Here's an overview of the days:

• New Faculty & Staff Orientation & Onboarding
  • Date: Tuesday, August 19
    Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Location: L-138
• Faculty & Staff In-Service
  • Date: Wednesday, August 20
    Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Location: To be determined
    RSVP for the In-Service
• Departmental Meetings
  • Date: Thursday, August 21

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend these important sessions in person. They will provide valuable insights and updates that will contribute to our collective growth and success as a university community.

More detailed information, along with a formalized agenda, will be made available via The Current. Keep an eye out for this email in your inbox to stay informed about the schedule, topics, and other important details.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Orientation and In-Service sessions!

Timothy E. Sams
President