FSC’s 2025 Legislative Breakfast: Defined by Who We Serve, and How Well We Serve Them 
On Friday, January 31, 2025, Robert S. Prezant, PhD, president of Farmingdale State College (FSC) hosted the College’s 2025 Legislative Breakfast, which featured remarks from New York State Senator Monica Martinez, New York State Assemblymembers Steve Stern and Kwani O'Pharrow, as well as multiple FSC students and graduates.
Nearly 100 attendees came from across the region for the annual event, including elected officials and government partners, and local leaders in business, community, labor, and industry. Assemblyman Michael Durso, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon, Jr., Town of Huntington Supervisor Edmund Smyth, and the offices of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Andrew Garbarino, and Governor Kathy Hochul were also in attendance.
During the event presentation, President Prezant offered an inspiring look at FSC’s students and how well “the best education institution on Long Island” serves them, especially in the areas of top academic and student opportunity programs, scholarship and research, and industry and corporate partnerships.
“We've got an incredibly strong faculty. We've got a really strong staff. But it's really about the students here,” President Prezant opened. “Our students are hard working. They are smart and they are focused. They're dedicated. Many of them are first generation. We have a large number of students who are working outside of their classroom experience, and they're doing great. So that's why we're all here--we're here for our students.”
“We, by definition, are who we serve,” he added. “It's why we get up each morning.”
“I know that our theme today is not just talking about great successes, but much more importantly, the students that represent the magic that is 51łÔąĎ,” agreed Stern. “We all have a job to do in sharing your story, the great successes that we can all be proud of, and the wonderful things yet to come with Farmingdale helping to lead the way…for the entire Long Island region.”
“Today gives us the opportunity to not only hear about the wonderful accomplishments at 51łÔąĎ and what you continue to do with your students, but also to hear what you need from us at the state level. We want to ensure that the successful programs that are being run here continue to produce the amazing future that we have before us,” said Martinez.
“As a newly elected official representing the 11th district, I will stay committed to the task at hand…ensuring that we have adequate funding for our colleges—particularly Farmingdale,” said O’Pharrow. “I have the honor of having Farmingdale as part of my community, and supporting institutions like this one is very, very important.”
Powering the future
President Prezant highlighted FSC’s regional and national impact and its recent growth in external grant applications, which together total more than $6.5 million in funding. Most notably, nine of the proposals are directed to the National Science Foundation.
“We have increased our funding requests by about $2.5 million,” he said. “These are great numbers. And most importantly, these monies will bring support to our students to pursue research and scholarship, which will help them get that job. So, this is really meaningful.”
Student speakers
This year’s event featured four FSC student speakers, who each shared how FSC has helped them realize their dreams.
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by flight—how something so heavy can defy gravity and soar through the skies,” said Christian Kuil, '24, an aviation program graduate and current FSC flight instructor. “That passion became a reality when I discovered Farmingdale’s Professional Pilot Program. As one of the largest collegiate flight schools in the northeast, and the only four-year aviation program in the SUNY (State University of New York) system, it offers opportunities found nowhere else in the region. Thank you for your time and for supporting Farmingdale State College and the Professional Pilot and Aviation Programs. Together, we can continue to inspire and equip the next generation of aviation professionals,” he added.
“Growing up, the idea of going to college was a bit intimidating for me. I came from an urban area where not many people pursued higher education,” said Kelile Rogers, ’28, an applied economics major. “I quickly realized I needed strong support to succeed, and that’s where the ACE Program stepped in. The program has been a huge help to me, offering both academic and financial support, and it’s made a big difference not only for me, but for my family as well. With the support I’ve received from ACE and the entire campus, I’m now aiming higher than I originally thought. I know that both Farmingdale and ACE have my back, and with that, I am destined for success,” he added of the Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) Program, one of many FSC Academic Support & Access Programs.
“In October of 2022, I was required to leave the United States due to challenges with immigration policy,” shared Ana Valdez, ’27, an FSC bioscience major. “Today, I stand here as a permanent resident of the United States,” she added. “My journey is a testament to the power of community and faith. I honestly don’t think I would have made it through that year in Mexico without the unwavering support of my loved ones and my Farmingdale family. Though I am no longer a part of the Dream.US Scholarship Program due to my new citizenship status, I am grateful to have been part of such a great community. I’m on track to graduate, and I’m more determined than ever to achieve my dream of becoming a dentist.”
“My time at Farmingdale helped me to realize that here - your dreams become a reality,” said Mable Philipose ’24, a nursing program graduate who now works in a nursing informatics office as a registered nurse. “As a result of Farmingdale, the Nursing Program, and all that it has taught me, I now carry and fully believe that anyone in life should keep a resilient and positive spirit - a reminder to Never Give Up, no matter what!”
View more photos from the 2025 Legislative Breakfast on our .
