SUNY Chancellor King Continues SUNY Reconnect Tour with Visit to Fulton-Montgomery Community College

February 4, 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 Fulton-Montgomery Community College’s Healthcare Programs

Johnstown, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today visited Fulton-Montgomery Community College as 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.

"Through Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program, adult learners throughout New York State are able to achieve upward mobility through earning degrees in high-demand fields," SUNY Chancellor King said. "Community colleges like Fulton-Montgomery are transforming the lives of adult learners every day. I commend Fulton-Montgomery Community College for providing its students a high-quality, well-rounded education so they can continue on their path to success after graduation."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "We thank Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for investing in SUNY, and our community colleges. SUNY Reconnect has made the educational dreams of adult learners throughout New York State a reality, and we are proud to work with Governor Hochul on this initiative and look forward to its potential expansion in the future."

During his visit, Chancellor King highlighted Fulton-Montgomery’s Nursing, Radiology Technology, and Addiction Services programs, which are eligible for SUNY Reconnect and attract adults looking to return to college to advance their careers in high-demand fields. SUNY Reconnect ensures that students receive enough financial aid and support services, including a single point of contact, extended hours, and prep courses, to complete their associate degrees. To learn more about SUNY Reconnect degree programs available at Fulton-Montgomery Community College, visit https://fmcc.edu/admissions-aid/free-cc.

Fulton-Montgomery President Greg Truckenmiller said, "At SUNY Fulton-Montgomery Community College, we're proud to participate in the SUNY Reconnect initiative, which is opening doors for adult learners across our region. This transformative program removes financial barriers that often prevent working adults from pursuing their educational and career goals. With our strong programs in nursing, technology, and business—combined with our partnerships with employers like GlobalFoundries—SUNY Reconnect students at SUNY FMCC gain both the education and hands-on experience needed to succeed in today's high-demand careers. We're committed to providing the personalized support and flexible scheduling that adult learners need to balance education with work and family responsibilities."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Receiving an associate’s degree in high-demand fields, such as health science or addiction services, is a game changer for eligible adults looking for new skills. I thank Governor Hochul for making free community college a reality for many New Yorkers. The SUNY Reconnect program offers students a wide range of opportunities and ensures we have a highly skilled workforce ready for careers right in their community."

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Acting President Doris B. González said, "Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and workforce development through SUNY Reconnect is helping New York meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in critical medical fields, especially nursing. Chancellor King’s visit to Fulton-Montgomery Community College highlights the importance of programs such as Nursing, Radiology Technology, and Addiction Services, and underscores the support available to help adult learners return to college, complete their degrees, and move into the in-demand careers our communities rely on."

New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person said, "Fulton-Montgomery Community College shows how SUNY Reconnect turns opportunity into reality for adult learners who are ready to build new careers and support their families. When we remove financial barriers and invest in strong public community colleges, we strengthen entire regions and the workforce New York depends on. We’re excited the state is building on this success and proposing to expand SUNY and CUNY Reconnect so even more New Yorkers can access an affordable path to opportunity."

State Senator Patricia Fahy said, "Fulton-Montgomery Community College continues to open doors for and transform the lives of the students it serves in our communities. As a first-generation college graduate, I know firsthand the power of achieving your dream of a higher education, and I'm committed to ensuring that all New York students can access that dream, regardless of background. Our SUNY Reconnect program ensures that students in high-demand industries and degree fields can attend SUNYs of their choice at no cost to them, and I look forward to expanding this program in this year's state budget with my Senate colleagues to drive even more students into this program."

State Assemblymember Robert Smullen said, "I thank Chancellor King for bringing the SUNY Reconnect Tour to Fulton-Montgomery Community College and bringing attention to this program’s potential to help hardworking adults in our rural communities upskill and advance their careers. We need more pathways for residents to gain the credentials they need without crushing debt. SUNY Reconnect can deliver real results for families here in the 118th District by keeping talent local and strengthening our regional economy. I encourage anyone who is eligible and looking to broaden their career to take the next step toward a brighter future."

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. Fulton-Montgomery Community College has used its allocation of $100,000 to hire one full-time academic advisor and case manager to assist with onboarding and retention of adult learners, and one part-time staff member to work with the Financial Aid Office and SUNY Reconnect academic advisor to assist students in filing their financial aid applications, determine eligibility for the SUNY Reconnect program, and assist to monitor benchmarks.
  • Provided an additional $1 million to cover equipment, materials, supplies, and other one-time needs to increase student enrollment, through which Fulton-Montgomery is using their portion to expand capacity in the Health Studies program, including the Associate in Applied Science in Health Studies and related simulation-based instructional areas, through the replacement, upgrading and supplementing of critical equipment and supplies used in clinical simulation experiences, which will open additional seats for new students and enhance the fidelity of instruction.

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

Governor Hochul's FY2026-27 Executive Budget expands SUNY Reconnect to include careers in logistics, air traffic control and transportation, and emergency management, as well as to make it easier for adult learners to return to college to pursue nursing if they already have a prior degree.

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 2025 at Dutchess Community College, has 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, Ulster Community College, Westchester Community College, Columbia-Greene Community College, Clinton Community College, and Herkimer County 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.

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