Our Collective Reality: Challenges and Opportunities Facing Higher Education Today

Kara Cannon is a seasoned life sciences executive with more than 35 years of global experience spanning marketing, sales, and operations. Her career includes senior leadership roles at Enzo Biochem, Pall Corporation, and Dynal Corporation, where she helped drive growth and innovation across the industry. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, leading the development of a science and innovation center at Nikola Tesla’s last remaining laboratory on Long Island. A former CEO of Enzo Biochem, Cannon is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of life sciences leaders through board service, academic advising, and nonprofit engagement, and has been widely recognized as one of Long Island’s most influential business leaders.

Dr. Balentine is the fifth president of New York Institute of Technology and a nationally recognized expert in emergency medicine. Prior to joining New York Tech in 2014, he served as chief medical officer and executive vice president of St. Barnabas Hospital and held numerous leadership roles in emergency medicine, while also teaching at the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine for more than 20 years. His work and research focus on enhancing patient and student experiences, advancing medical education, and addressing physician wellness, injury prevention, and emerging areas such as esports.

Dr. Goldsmith is the seventh president of Stony Brook University, SUNY’s research flagship and New York State’s leading public university. Appointed in August 2025, she brings more than three decades of experience in higher education, including service as an engineering dean at Princeton University and as a longtime faculty member at Stanford University. A pioneering researcher and entrepreneur in wireless communications, she holds 38 patents and is the recipient of the prestigious Marconi Prize. A lifelong champion of public education and access, President Goldsmith leads Stony Brook with a mission-driven vision centered on excellence in education, research, innovation, and community impact.

Dr. Prezant became the 10th president of Farmingdale State College in August 2024, bringing extensive experience as a provost, senior academic leader, and accomplished scientist. A nationally recognized scholar in marine biology, he has secured more than $20 million in external funding, authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications—many in collaboration with students—and led major initiatives in strategic planning, faculty diversification, accreditation, and academic program development. His leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to student success, research excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expanding access through innovative academic and workforce-focused programs.

Dr. Sams is the sixth president of SUNY Old Westbury and a nationally recognized higher education leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing access, equity, and student success. His career includes senior leadership roles at institutions such as NYU Abu Dhabi, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Morehouse College, and Prairie View A&M University, where he led innovative residential college initiatives, strengthened support for underrepresented students, and improved retention and student outcomes. Grounded in his own opportunity program roots, Dr. Sams leads with a mission-driven commitment to inclusive excellence, educational justice, and transformative student experiences.