SUNY Chancellor King Kicks Off Spring Semester of the SUNY Reconnect Tour with Visit to Columbia-Greene Community College

January 8, 2026

Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect Program Provides Free Community College Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies for Eligible Adult Learners in High-Demand Fields

Visit Highlights Columbia-Greene Community College’s Nursing Program

Hudson, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today visited Columbia-Greene Community College to kick off the Spring semester part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour. Chancellor King has been visiting SUNY community colleges throughout the state to promote New York’s free community college program for adult learners, which officially began at the start of Fall 2025 classes. Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect initiative, New York State is providing free tuition, fees, books, and supplies for adults ages 25-55 who don’t already have a college degree and want to pursue an associate degree in a high-demand field.

During his visit, Chancellor King highlighted Columbia-Greene Community College’s Nursing Program, which is eligible for SUNY Reconnect. The College's Nursing Simulation Center, which will formally open this spring, is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology, including animatronic patients of all ages, which provide students with simulated experiences before entering the clinical setting. To learn more about SUNY Reconnect degree programs available at Columbia-Greene Community College and apply for the Spring 2026 semester, visit  https://www.columbiagreene.edu/suny-reconnect/.

"Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect initiative is making it possible for adult learners throughout New York State to pursue life-changing educational opportunities and unleash their full potential," SUNY Chancellor King said. "Community colleges like Columbia-Greene Community College are providing students with a high-quality, well-rounded education, so they can pursue the career of their dreams and support New York State’s economy. I applaud Columbia-Greene Community college for its outstanding course offerings, and support of adult learners pursuing a degree through SUNY Reconnect."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Community colleges throughout New York State are increasing access to higher education and enabling adult learners to pursue the next step in their careers through Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program. We thank Governor Hochul and state leaders for their continued investment and support for SUNY, and our adult learners."

Columbia-Greene Community College President Dr. Victoria L. Walsh said, "Columbia-Greene is hitting the ground running for the Spring 2026 semester, and we are thrilled to host Chancellor King as he kicks off the Spring semester of the statewide SUNY Reconnect Tour. Our students are taking advantage of Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program for adult learners, and our school is working to ensure everyone taking courses is given the education and skillset they will need to thrive in the workplace. We thank Chancellor King and SUNY leadership for their ongoing commitment to Columbia-Greene Community College and the students we are proud to serve."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Governor Kathy Hochul knows that the careers of today and tomorrow need a knowledgeable and skilled workforce. Free community college for adult learners provides New Yorkers with the necessary training and education to enter high-demand fields, including nursing and computer science, at little cost. I encourage New York workers to take advantage of the incredible programs offered on SUNY campuses, and I thank the Governor for her continued commitment to workforce development."

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Executive Vice President Doris B. González said, "Governor Hochul’s Reconnect program is a transformative initiative that opens doors for adult learners across New York State, providing them with the resources and support they need to pursue their educational and career aspirations. This program reflects the Governor’s unwavering commitment to expanding access to higher education and aligns with Chancellor King’s dedication to ensuring that adult learners can continue their education at the State University of New York. HESC is proud to support this initiative, and we look forward to seeing the incredible impact it will have on adult learners at Columbia-Greene Community College and beyond."

NYSUT President Melinda Person said, "The Nursing Program at Columbia-Greene Community College, including its state-of-the-art Simulation Center, shows the impact of SUNY Reconnect. By giving adult learners access to high-quality, hands-on training without financial burdens, we are helping prepare the next cohort of nurses, strengthening communities and improving healthcare. SUNY Reconnect is growing opportunity while directly addressing New York’s urgent workforce needs, and we look forward to expanding this model program to serve more people and professions."

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "SUNY Reconnect is a door to opportunity at our community colleges that’s allowing New Yorkers to train for high-demand careers like nursing without the stress of tuition costs. I was thrilled to help champion this incredible workforce investment and to welcome SUNY Chancellor King to Columbia-Greene Community College, where students are gaining the skills they need to enter family-sustaining careers."

State Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, "I was pleased to welcome SUNY Chancellor John King back to my district as part of his Spring SUNY Reconnect Tour, and to showcase exciting new developments at Columbia-Greene Community College’s Nursing Program. The highly respected nursing program is one of several eligible for SUNY Reconnect at CGCC, offering adults aged 25-55 an opportunity to obtain a free, high-quality education – breaking down barriers and strengthening our workforce in high-demand fields."

To support the launch of SUNY Reconnect, SUNY has:

  • Allocated $4 million to community colleges to support SUNY Reconnect programmatic implementation through advising, enrollment, outreach, award of credit for prior learning, and other student services, supports, and campus operations. Columbia-Greene Community College has used these funds to create a new full-time Reconnect Liaison position to assist in recruitment, enrollment, and retention of adult learners.
  • Provided an additional $1 million to cover equipment, materials, supplies, and other one-time needs to increase student enrollment, through which Columbia-Greene received $35,000 for the campus’ high-demand programs such as nursing, allied health, and cybersecurity.  
  • Announced $1.1 million in grant funding for the SUNY Adult Learner Leadership Initiative to help community colleges increase access and ensure degree completion for adult learners. The campus received $50,000 grant to participate in the Adult Learner Leadership initiative and has developed an action plan to implement and expand evidence-based strategies to serve adult learners. The funds were used to expand marketing and recruitment efforts, the use of credit for prior learning, and holistic support services.

SUNY Reconnect funds degrees in high-demand fields including:

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Cybersecurity
  • Engineering
  • Technology
  • Nursing and Allied Health Fields
  • Green and Renewable Energy
  • Pathways to Teaching in Shortage Areas

Since the May 2025 launch of Governor Kathy Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program for adult learners in New York State, Chancellor King visited SUNY community colleges to promote the program as part of the SUNY Reconnect tour. The tour, which kicked off in June at Dutchess Community College, included visits to Tompkins Cortland Community College, SUNY Schenectady, Jefferson Community College, Suffolk County Community College, SUNY Niagara, SUNY Erie Community College, Jamestown Community College, Monroe Community College, SUNY Broome, SUNY Adirondack, Rockland Community College, SUNY Ulster Community College, and Westchester Community College.

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.

Share this:

       

 
Contact:
Holly Liapis
518-320-1311
Email the Office of Communications