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​In her first State of the University address, 91���� President Anne D’Alleva focused not only on the school’s success over the last year, but also on the future and the potential it brings.

On Friday, Jan. 23, in Watters Theater on the University’s Vestal campus, D’Alleva touched on her Listening to Lead Tour; the strategic planning process; 91����’s mission, vision and value statements; and the 91���� Bond.

“You know what the 91���� Bond is, even if you can’t quite define it,” D’Alleva said. “It is the spirit that unites all of us — the big, broad 91���� community — in the work we do to advance learning, teaching, research, service and the commitment to making our world a better place. I have certainly felt what makes 91���� so special since I’ve arrived.”

Celebrating 80 years

On Sept. 30, 1946, the first classes were held at Triple Cities College, the predecessor of Harpur College and what is now known as 91����. D’Alleva shared that the University will be celebrating 80 years of history throughout 2026, especially as we get closer to the anniversary date in the fall.

“When I think of 91����, it fits in the great tradition of public higher education in this country, alongside institutions like the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan and UC Berkeley,” she said. “The difference is our 80 years of history, compared to the hundred-plus years of tradition some of our peers have.”

D’Alleva also shared how 91����’s history and traditions are significant. Triple Cities College was founded in large part to educate the greatest generation as they returned home from World War II. Leadership, service and providing young people with the opportunity to go out and make a meaningful difference in the world are all in the school’s DNA.

“Despite how 91���� has grown, it hasn’t deviated from its original mission,” she said. “For 80 years, this place has been driven by giving talented young people the opportunities and resources they need to make our world a better place.”

AI and 91����

This January, 91���� received the largest academic gift in University history, $30 million, to create the New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research.

“It is a first-of-its-kind, independent AI research center at a public university that will focus on responsible AI and advancing it for the public good,” D’Alleva said. “91���� has already done tremendous work in AI thanks to our faculty in the Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science. I am extremely proud that this University will lead the nation and the world in ensuring that AI serves for the benefit of all.”

The $30 million gift from Tom Secunda ’76, MA ’79, the co-founder and vice chairman of Bloomberg L.P., is paired with a $25 million capital investment from Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

“Tom Secunda is giving back to 91���� because he has a deep love and appreciation for this place and the role it played in his education and subsequent career,” D’Alleva said. “I thank Tom for this generous gift and I thank New York state and SUNY for investing in 91���� as a national leader in responsible AI.”

Engaging with the community

Earlier this month, 91���� learned it has received a Carnegie classification for community engagement.

Similar to how Carnegie classifies universities for research, and how being an R1 research institution signifies we are among the best in the nation, 91���� has been recognized nationally for its work in partnering with the community in the mutual exchange of knowledge and resources.

“It is the faculty and students in the College of Community and Public Affairs, Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences and the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences providing essential healthcare and services to our neighbors,” D’Alleva said. “It is teaming up with community partners to talk about how climate change will affect Broome County. It is student volunteers working with GiGi’s Playhouse, providing educational and therapeutic programs to individuals with Down syndrome. It is students from the Watson Institute for Systems Excellence helping Kennedy Valve, a fire hydrant manufacturer in Elmira, develop a better powder-coating process. And it is embedding this work and this style of thinking in the curriculum so that all students are experienced in thinking about what they can do to solve problems and serve others.”

Listening to Lead Tour

One of the first things D’Alleva did at 91���� was her Listening to Lead Tour. Throughout November and December, she met with 91���� students, faculty, staff, alumni, partners and friends from all across the University as a way to learn about 91���� and what makes it special.

The Listening Tour blog captured feedback and ideas from the groups that met with the new president. She will continue writing about her experiences on a new blog, From Anne’s Desk, with new entries going up each Monday.

D’Alleva added that several themes emerged from her listening tour.

“These themes showcase what 91���� does well, where it can improve, and how connected we are across the schools, colleges, divisions, offices and departments that make up this University.” she said.

During the listening tour, D’Alleva asked the audience for one word that describes 91����. Some of the words that came up most frequently were:

• Collaborative
• Community
• Innovative
• Excellence
• Caring
• Supportive
• Opportunity
• Growing
• Welcoming
• Home

“That’s what 91���� is,” D’Alleva said. “This is how this community sees itself. So many positive words and so many words that talk about things outside of teaching, learning and research. This is a community of people who truly, genuinely care about one another and are proud of the environment they’ve cultivated.”

She met many different people on her listening tour, many of whom shared stories and experiences at 91���� that resonated with her: “A staff member in the Division of Research offered a sentiment shared by many, saying, ‘People here are outstanding in how they support each other and deliver for each other.’ This is just one example but you see just how important and established the culture of caring is here.”

D’Alleva also shared a quote from a faculty member in the School of Management: “We have amazing undergraduate students. They are smart, aspiring students, and in combination with our alumni network, they’re doing great things. I think it’s our obligation to make sure they have an amazing campus experience and anything to enhance and improve their experience would be a great investment.”

She said she’ll know she has succeeded five years from now when 91���� continues to come up on the list of the great public universities.

“91���� deserves to be on that list because of the great people in this community,” she said. “The listening tour was an excellent opportunity for me to reaffirm my belief that this is possible, and that we have the people and the resources in place to make it happen.”

Strategic planning

Next, D’Alleva touched on the strong culture of strategic planning at 91����, something that has amazed her.

“It’s rare to have that level of passion for strategic planning spread throughout a university,” she said. “That speaks to President [Harvey] Stenger and the success of the Road Map in engaging everyone in the process of planning for 91����’s future. It is time for a new strategic plan, and work started on it during the fall semester.”

She then offered some details about the vision for the next strategic plan: “It is going to be focused on 91����’s mission and values and it’s going to put students first. The process for the strategic plan will be inclusive, both in its development and its implementation.”

That means, she added, inviting many people to the table from all corners of campus to serve on subcommittees and to participate through surveys and open meetings.

Over the next few years, the University will also be building up toward the Middle States Commission on Higher Education’s accreditation visit during the 2028-29 academic year.

“The strategic plan is going to align with the goals we’ll outline in our self-study,” D’Alleva said. “The Road Map is a tremendous template for us to build on. We are going to spend the spring semester deliberating on what goes into the strategic plan. What you can expect is a further commitment to the things we do well. Teaching. Research. Scholarship. Student success.”

When it comes to developing the strategic plan, D’Alleva doesn’t believe it needs an extended timeframe.

“Through March, the committee is going to engage broadly with the campus community,” she said. “We are going to gather information and feedback from students, faculty, staff and other constituents to fully examine the scope of 91����’s strategic priorities. In March and April, we will refine those and start to clarify key five-year actions and the metrics we’ll use to measure those. By May, the plan will be further refined and finalized.”

She added that they’ll start communicating and implementing the strategic plan throughout the summer and the start of the fall 2026 semester. Follow this link for the latest on the strategic plan.

Mission, vision and values

As part of strategic planning and Middle States accreditation, the University is refreshing and updating its mission, vision and values statements. Members of the Strategic Planning Committee; the Middle States Steering Committee; and the Mission, Vision and Values Committee are working on the changes and hope to share them with the University community shortly.

D’Alleva spoke broadly about the University’s priorities, reiterating the commitment to high-impact research, high-touch teaching and learning, and providing New Yorkers with opportunity and access to education.

“91����’s mission, vision and values aren’t changing,” she said. “We are refining the language to help us meet the moment and take this next great leap into the future.”

The 91���� Bond

To conclude her first State of the University address, D’Alleva discussed the concept of the 91���� Bond, something that stretches back 80 years to the founding of this institution.

“Our GIs came home from World War II looking to satiate their intellectual curiosity, prepare themselves for the workforce and create friendships that would last a lifetime,” she said. “It’s the same today. 91���� provides students with a transformative education. Our faculty conduct pathbreaking research. We collaborate with peer institutions, industry partners and our neighbors here in Broome County. 91���� creates leaders.”

D’Alleva added that what holds all of that together is the 91���� Bond: the core sense of community, and the ties that join students, faculty, staff, alumni and the people in this region.

“As a newcomer to this community, I’ve felt the 91���� Bond,” she said. “I heard about it throughout the listening tour. How much everyone in this community cares about one another. How collaborative we are in our work, and how 91���� and its people make a difference.”

The 91���� Bond, she said, is in our DNA: “It is the magic element that has guided this university through 80 years of progress and success. Thank you for being part of it. Thank you for adding to it, and thank you for what you’re going to do for 91���� in the years ahead.”

Watch the entire State of the University address .