Maurie McInnis, current president of Stony Brook University, New York’s number-one public university, is stepping down after four years to become the next president of Yale University. Assuming her new position on July 1, McInnis will become Yale’s first permanent female president.
McInnis received her bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Virginia in 1988 before earning her master’s and doctorate degrees from Yale in the History of Art in 1990 and 1996, respectively. She has also served on the Yale Corporation’s Board of Trustees since 2022.
Appointed in March 2020, she navigated Stony Brook University through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring its continuous rise as a premier research university and flagship of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
“Maurie began her presidency amid the Covid-19 pandemic and successfully navigated the university through a particularly challenging year for many institutions,” Kevin Law, chairman of the Stony Brook Council, said. “She has led Stony Brook to new heights, driving positive change and improvement across the university.”
Under her leadership, Stony Brook secured the prestigious role of anchor institution for The New York Climate Exchange research center on Governors Island and received a historic $500 million unrestricted endowment from the Simons Foundation, one of the largest gifts ever awarded to an American university.
These achievements, among others, have propelled Stony Brook to its highest rankings in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges listing.
McInnis also worked closely with diverse leaders and organizations dedicated to advancing Stony Brook’s mission of academic excellence, inclusivity, and economic development for New York State. Her efforts involved collaboration with SUNY and its Board of Trustees, the Stony Brook Foundation, the Stony Brook Council, and the Simons Foundation, along with more than 2,900 faculty and staff members. Her tenure is marked by strategic initiatives that have significantly propelled the university’s progress.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Maurie on this significant achievement, which is a testament to her exceptional leadership and the high regard in which Stony Brook is held by the academic community,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr said. “As we embark on the search for Maurie’s successor, we are confident in finding a leader who will continue to drive forward the remarkable advancements of one of the nation’s top public universities and a leader in research innovation and social mobility.”
McInnis expressed pride in the university’s accomplishments and optimism for its future.
“Leading Stony Brook during this exciting period has been a tremendous honor,” McInnis said. “It’s clear from my conversations with peers in higher education that Stony Brook is recognized for its upward trajectory, combining cutting-edge research with expanded opportunities for students from all backgrounds. I deeply appreciate the dedication of our faculty, students, and staff, and I am confident that the best is yet to come for Stony Brook.”
With McInnis set to begin her new role at Yale, SUNY will manage the leadership transition at Stony Brook University, ensuring the institution’s continued pursuit of excellence and innovation.
