SUNY Chancellor Visits Finger Lakes Community College as Part of SUNY Reconnect Tour

April 23, 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 Finger Lakes Community College's Technology Degree Programs

Canandaigua, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today visited Finger Lakes 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 in New York State are able to access an affordable, excellent public higher education that will help them achieve upward mobility," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Campuses like Finger Lakes Community College are transforming the lives of adult learners every day by giving them the opportunity to pursue degrees in high-demand fields. I applaud the college for providing its students with a well-rounded and engaging education, so they can move forward on a path to success after graduation."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "SUNY Reconnect has been a vital resource for adult learners seeking to take the next step in their careers by pursuing a degree in high-demand fields. We are proud to work with Governor Hochul on this initiative and thank her and the State Legislature for their steadfast support and investment in SUNY, our community colleges, and our adult learners."

During his visit, Chancellor King highlighted Finger Lakes' technology degree programs – including engineering science, networking and cybersecurity, architectural technology, and smart systems technologies – which are eligible for SUNY Reconnect. SUNY Reconnect ensures that students receive enough financial aid to pursue their degrees. To learn more about SUNY Reconnect degree programs available at Finger Lakes Community College, visit https://www.flcc.edu/freecc/.

Finger Lakes Community College President Robert K. Nye said, "Last fall, 320 FLCC students benefited from SUNY Reconnect program funding, putting them on a path toward a high-demand career. We appreciate the chancellor's interest in learning the stories of our remarkable adult students, who are striving to improve their lives while managing jobs and families."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "The SUNY Reconnect program, championed by Governor Hochul, is a transformative initiative that directly addresses the needs of New York's workforce and families. Offering free community college for eligible adult learners not only makes our state a more affordable place to live and work but also provides clear pathways to high-demand careers in fields like engineering science and cybersecurity."

New York State Higher Education Corporation Acting President Doris B. González said, "Financial Aid Awareness Month is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the transformative power of SUNY Reconnect. This program is breaking down barriers for adult learners, providing them with the resources they need to pursue high-demand careers and secure brighter futures. Finger Lakes Community College's cutting-edge technology degree programs, like engineering science and cybersecurity, are prime examples of how SUNY Reconnect is preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow. We are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to education and to Chancellor King for his tireless efforts in raising awareness about this life-changing initiative."

New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person said, "SUNY Reconnect is opening doors for adult learners across New York — and at Finger Lakes Community College, you can see that programs like engineering, cybersecurity, and smart systems technologies are connecting students directly to the careers that are shaping our future. We're excited that the state is proposing to expand SUNY and CUNY Reconnect, because when we remove financial barriers and meet students where they are, we're not just helping individuals succeed, we're building a stronger New York."

State Senator Pam Helming said, "I'm excited to welcome Chancellor King to the Finger Lakes region and to showcase the great work underway at Finger Lakes Community College. Along with Monroe Community College and Genesee Community College, FLCC serves the people of the 54th Senate District and plays a key role in creating opportunities for local residents to train for careers in high-demand fields like Smart Systems Technology, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and medical careers. These programs are critical to helping area businesses find the skilled workforce they need while connecting residents to good-paying, in-demand jobs. I'm proud to support programs like SUNY Reconnect, which expand opportunity by making it easier for adult learners to gain these skills, strengthen our workforce, and support economic growth across our region."

State Assemblymember Andrea Bailey said, "SUNY Reconnect is expanding access to higher education for adults across the region. At Finger Lakes Community College, the program is providing new opportunities for learners ages 25 to 55 to continue their education and develop skills aligned with today's workforce needs. The Chancellor's visit highlights the progress being made to support adult students and strengthen educational pathways."

State Assemblymember Jeff Gallahan said, "As a former journeyman machinist, I know firsthand the value of hands-on training and the opportunities that come from learning a skilled trade. Expanding access to higher education for adults is critical to strengthening our workforce and supporting families across the Finger Lakes region. Programs like SUNY Reconnect help open doors for those seeking to gain new skills or change careers, particularly in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing, engineering, and the skilled trades. Finger Lakes Community College plays a vital role in preparing students for these opportunities, and I'm encouraged to see investments in education that can meet today's workforce needs. I'm proud to support efforts that connect education, job training, and economic growth right here at home."

State Assemblymember Brian Manktelow said, "I'm glad to see Finger Lakes Community College involved in a program like SUNY Reconnect. In times of uncertainty and change, it can be daunting for young adults to choose a path that feels right for them at the time. I believe it makes sense for these individuals to get a chance later on in life to pursue an education when they feel ready."

To support the success 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. Finger Lakes Community College received $160,000 and has enhanced marketing strategies by using adult learners in promotional materials to create a sense of belonging; expanded hours for academic advisors to include evenings and weekends for adult learner academic planning and supports; added a new full time admissions counselor to support adult learner recruitment and onboarding; and expanded the role of the EMT clinical coordinator to full-time to manage clinical scheduling and advisement for EMT/paramedic program participants.
Provided an additional $1 million to cover equipment, materials, supplies, and other one-time needs to increase student enrollment, through which Finger Lakes Community College is using its $35,000 allotment to increase capacity in the paramedic program through the purchase of state-of-the-art simulation equipment, including mannequins and critical lab supplies and materials to provide high-fidelity, hands-on training for complex emergency medical procedures.
Announced $1.1 million in grant funding for the SUNY Adult Learner Leadership Initiativeto help community colleges increase access and ensure degree completion for adult learners. The campus received a $50,000 grant to participate in the Adult Learner Leadership initiative and developed an action plan using the following key strategies: identify "stop-out" adult learners in high demand programs for direct marketing including multi-lingual, inclusive materials for adult learners; implement credit for prior learning policy and practices including staff training and development of an intake and tracking process; and offer evening and weekend courses in a variety of modalities – including Hyflex, in SUNY Reconnect academic pathways as well as extend adult learner support services such as one stop, advising, tutoring, and library services to evenings and weekends.

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.

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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SUNY Chancellor Visits Finger Lakes Community College as Part of SUNY Reconnect Tour

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