Joint Statement From SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall and Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher on Governor Cuomo's State of the State Address

“Today, Governor Cuomo outlined a bold vision for New York that looks to fundamentally reshape the scope of our community colleges while incentivizing, among other measures, workforce training carried out in partnership with local employers. With a number of these programs already underway to meet the state’s workforce needs, we are confident that SUNY is equal to the task.

“As the nation’s premiere system of public higher education, the Governor is right to place SUNY at the center of New York’s education reforms, from cradle to career, and we could not be more pleased to see the New NY Education Reform Commission recommendations moving forward, especially the replication of successful collective impact efforts such as Strive.

“For the third consecutive year, Governor Cuomo has helped to raise SUNY’s capacity for economic development throughout New York with the introduction and extension of NYSUNY 2020. We look forward to engaging in the third round of this visionary legislation.

“Additionally, we join the Governor in his commendation of SUNY leadership at Monroe and Finger Lakes Community Colleges in developing and implementing a workforce training programs that have become a model for the entire system; and we applaud his choice of SUNY Vice Chancellor for Research and Research Foundation President Tim Killeen as a member of his Innovation New York Network, which will help more of our research and innovation transition from the laboratory to the marketplace.

“The SUNY system is flush with exemplary leaders and innovators, all of whom stand ready to assist in the rebuilding of New York. SUNY embraces the challenges put forth by the Governor, and we thank him for his continued support.”

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating approximately 468,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs, and nearly 2 million in workforce and professional development programs, on 64 campuses. There are nearly 3 million SUNY alumni worldwide. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu. 

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