Chancellor King and Board of Trustees Unveil Plans to Keep Moving SUNY, and New York State, Forward

May 21, 2025

"We are pressing forward, guided by our values, delivering for our students, our communities, and our state."

Full Transcript, Policy Book, and Video Available Here

Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees today announced further investments in SUNY students, faculty, staff, and research at a time of higher education cuts across the nation. SUNY is moving forward on all four pillars that drive the efforts of the system, and its 64 colleges and universities. Chancellor King announced new initiatives to expand programs to help students succeed, while creating new paths forward to bolster research, attract and retain diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels, and grow SUNY's role as an economic driver for the state and our students.

At the Lewis A. Swyer Theatre at The Egg in Albany, Chancellor King delivered his third State of the University Address to an audience including the SUNY Board of Trustees, government officials, distinguished guests, and the SUNY community of students, faculty, staff, campus leadership, and employer partners.

"New York is leading the nation in providing our students with access to quality, affordable higher education through our world-class SUNY system," said Governor Kathy Hochul. "My administration has provided historic funding for our public universities because we understand that an investment in SUNY is an investment in the New York workforce. I applaud Chancellor King and the SUNY Board of Trustees for utilizing every resource at their disposal to increase enrollment and support students pursuing degrees in high-demand fields."

"At SUNY, we are pressing forward, guided by our values, delivering for our students, our communities, and our state," SUNY Chancellor King said. "I am filled with optimism that's grounded in our progress, our results, and our strength—that not only can we meet this moment—we already are."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "SUNY has made great strides over the past few years under the leadership of Chancellor King, and has worked to improve academic excellence, invest in student success, workforce development, and research innovation, and foster more civil and welcoming campus communities. Our university system helps cultivate campus environments where diversity is valued, equity is promoted, and inclusivity is essential. Through investing in our students, advancing our programs, and upholding our values, SUNY will continue to serve as a national, and international, example of excellence in public higher education."

In the 2025 State of the University Address, Chancellor King outlined the challenges being faced by New York State, the nation, and the entire global community, but also unveiled a vision for how SUNY can be a leader in addressing those issues. The Chancellor highlighted a series of initiatives that will be advanced by SUNY to help empower students, invest in communities, and move New York State forward. New or expanded initiatives highlighted in this year's State of the University include:

Building on the power of Governor Hochul's Empire AI research center for the public good by connecting SUNY's university centers with regional comprehensive colleges and community colleges to expand ethical AI education and workforce development.
Continuing to deliver on SUNY's goal that every undergraduate student will participate in an internship or other quality experiential learning opportunity before they graduate, starting with closing the internship gap for SUNY's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students.
Implementing Governor Hochul's Enacted Budget investment in the ASAP|ACE college completion initiatives to reach 7,000 students this fall, up from 4,200, on the path to10,000 students in two years.
Promoting the Governor's free community college program through SUNY Reconnect and helping community colleges with funding to cover equipment and other one-time needs to handle the anticipated increase in enrollment in high-demand, high-cost programs.

Full Transcript, Policy Book, Video, and Photos Available Here

Student Success:

One of SUNY's most important initiatives is to scale ASAP and ACE, the nation's most effective, evidence-based strategies for helping students earn their degrees. Thanks to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature, SUNY is expanding these programs from 4,200 to 7,000 students beginning in Fall 2025, and on the path to 10,000 in Fall 2026.

In the 2025 State of the University Address, Chancellor King drew attention to one ASAP student he met on a campus visit, Shaqueta Small, a 41-year-old mother of six, who first enrolled in Cayuga Community College when she was ready to make a change. Small graduated just last week and credits her ASAP advisor with helping her stay on track. Chancellor King explained that SUNY will build on the success of ASAP and ACE with a system-wide multi-pronged campaign to increase retention and completion.

Chancellor King noted, "Our academic momentum campaign will scale research-backed interventions systemwide. And we're also piloting evening and weekend childcare at community colleges to serve more students like Shaqueta."

The Chancellor also announced the expansion of Empire State Service Corps—a paid public service program for SUNY students—to include additional focus areas, including early childhood education and veteran support services. The program is open to 500 SUNY students during the academic year, and 150 students during the summer.

Research & Scholarship:

SUNY University Centers are doing innovative research as part of the Governor's Empire AI for public good, and as part of the State of the University Address, Chancellor announced that SUNY will extend the power of Empire AI to more SUNY campuses by creating research and workforce development partnerships between each participating university center and a regional comprehensive college and community college.

SUNY campuses are well positioned for this next level of collaboration, as Governor Hochul's Enacted 2025-26 State Budget increases New York's investment in Empire AI to increase the computing power and provide more research capacity for SUNY's University Centers. In addition, 61 of SUNY's 64 campuses currently offer AI and AI-related academic programs preparing students for the next generation workforce.

In addition, Chancellor King announced the launch of the AI for the Public Good Faculty Fellows Program. Last year's State of the University agenda included the General Education Framework's addition of artificial intelligence as a core competency for Information Literacy. The SUNY AI for the Public Good Faculty Fellowship will include faculty with expertise in AI topics across disciplines to develop resources and provide targeted support for curricular development by faculty across the system on AI literacy and the effective and ethical use of AI.

Consistent with SUNY's Climate & Sustainability Action Plan, SUNY will also launch a System-wide Faculty Fellows program to support faculty in incorporating sustainability into curricula and coursework. Sustainability leaders will be needed in every discipline to address the climate crisis, and this program will support faculty to incorporate sustainability and climate concepts into STEM and non-STEM courses.

Chancellor King highlighted this initiative by saying, "Even as work gets underway to build the permanent home of Empire AI on UB's campus, we are not stopping there. Last year, we announced eight new departments and centers of AI and Society across our campuses. This year, we will build partnerships between our research-intensive University Centers and other two- and four-year campuses to engage more students in AI-powered research and in AI workforce readiness."

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Under Chancellor King's leadership, SUNY is committed to ensuring a sense of belonging for all students and has expanded its general education curriculum to provide every undergraduate student with course content that addresses themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion., and is committed to supporting diverse students. In addition, Chancellor King has set guidance to ensure campuses are safe and has made it clear there is no tolerance for antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate and bias. SUNY implemented a System-wide requirement in 2024 that all faculty and staff receive training in Title VI civil rights protections, and every SUNY campus will be required to designate a Title VI Coordinator before the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year.

Initiatives in the 2025 State of the University agenda include expansion of the Pre-Professional EOP program to incorporate the nursing and teaching fields; extension of mandatory Title VI training on discrimination and harassment to student organization leaders and residential life staff at State-operated campuses; and additional support and training to foster the success of students with disabilities, including neurodiverse students.

Chancellor King said, "At SUNY, DEI is not only one of our pillars; it's in our DNA. Our enabling statute, written more than 75 years ago, promises that SUNY ‘will provide to the people of New York educational services of the highest quality, with the broadest possible access, fully representative of all segments of the population…'"

Economic Development & Upward Mobility:

A major initiative advanced by Governor Hochul and supported by State leaders in this year's budget is the implementation of a free community college program for New York State residents ages 25 to 55. SUNY is ready to enroll all eligible New Yorkers and has launched a statewide marketing campaign to make sure eligible adults without a college degree know a SUNY community college education will provide free tuition, fees, books, and supplies toward an associate's degree. Chancellor King also announced that SUNY will help community colleges with funding to cover equipment and other one-time needs to handle the anticipated increase in enrollment in high-demand, high-cost programs.

A SUNY education also means that campuses are providing students with pathways to real hands-on learning, including internships. As a result of historic increases in operating aid, SUNY has been expanding paid internships and wraparound support through $14.5 million in annual funding. In the past two years, SUNY has launched the Chancellor's Summer Research Excellence Fund, Veterans Enrollment and Support Internships, the SUNY Climate Corps, and other internship initiatives. As part of the next step towards ensuring all students are able to participate in an internship or other experiential learning opportunity, SUNY will ensure that all students who enroll in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) beginning this fall will be able to complete an internship before they complete their degree.

SUNY will also support all students statewide through a new regional internship coordinator program, as well as expand small business internships through partnerships with regional chambers of commerce in order to strengthen the connection for students and campuses with employers for high-quality paid and credit-bearing internships.

"Because we know: whether you're an English major or a budding engineer or a student in a new PTECH early college high school partnering with a SUNY campus—these experiences are essential to upward mobility," Chancellor King said.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The SUNY system is a point of pride for New Yorkers, offering students an accessible gateway to cutting-edge tools and skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The leadership, faculty, and staff at SUNY are helping us to create a workforce with the talents needed to support sustainable economic growth, and cultivating next-generation research, development, and innovation to promote new ideas, solutions, and technology in the 21st century."

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, "The State of SUNY is sound. I am proud of the funding levels despite federal budget cuts. SUNY has seen its enrollment continue to increase. We must continue to deliver for our students by investing in infrastructure, operating aid, and research to keep pace with modern technology and the needs of our workforce. A SUNY education has long been one of the greatest drivers of upward economic mobility in the country and we are committed to meeting and exceeding that standard moving forward."

State Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, "Every student deserves the opportunity to thrive — that's been my mission as Chair of the Higher Education Committee, and it's one I share with SUNY. Chancellor King's vision — centered on equity, access, and student success — reflects the values we've fought for in the Legislature. Whether it's strengthening EOP, supporting first-generation students, or investing in SUNY's role in our workforce and research future, I'm proud of the progress we've made — and even more excited for what's ahead."

The Business Council of New York State, Inc. President and CEO Heather Mulligan said, "Strengthening the existing relationship between SUNY and our exceptional regional chambers throughout New York will be instrumental in creating a future workforce for our state's employers. Combining learning and doing through real-world, hands-on training is critical to ensuring we have a skilled and dedicated labor pool, which ultimately benefits everyone through economic prosperity in communities across our state."

Jobs for the Future President and CEO Maria Flynn said, "SUNY offers a valuable blueprint for how to bolster local economies while ensuring that students can step into meaningful careers when they graduate. These new strategies help both students who are too often left out of paid internship opportunities and businesses who have limited time and capacity to navigate complex university systems, bridging many gaps and driving toward the Chancellor's goal of providing paid internship opportunities for all SUNY graduates."

Virginia Knox, President of MDRC, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research firm that has evaluated ASAP, said, "New York State's continued investment in expanding the ASAP/ACE programs, reaching as many as 10,000 students over the next two years, makes it a leader in using evidence to advance student success. ASAP is among the most effective higher education programs ever studied, having substantially increased graduation rates in multiple settings."

Northeast Regional Director at Young Invincibles Sean Miller said, "Investing in all SUNY students means investing in their ability to learn, succeed, and graduate without the burden of unmet basic needs. Young Invincibles celebrates SUNY and Governor Hochul's commitment to expanding basic needs services – including food, housing, mental health, and transportation – improving data collection, and even more targeted services to ensure student well-being. Expanding programs like the Homeless Liaison Program and campus food pantries, as informed by student feedback and our NY Postsecondary Basic Needs Coalition, is vital for all students, regardless of income, to focus on their academics rather than worrying about their next meal or where they'll sleep at night."

TICAS Vice President Tanya I. Garcia, Ph.D. said, "The SUNY system continues to play an important role in promoting and supporting excellence across its campuses. TICAS applauds Governor Hochul, the New York Legislature, and Chancellor King for establishing a dedicated funding source for ASAP|ACE. And we support the system's effort to set retention and completion targets, driven by proven programs that dramatically increase student success."

Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, "From incorporating sustainability into curricula and coursework through the new Faculty Fellows program, to ensuring potential climate hazards will inform long-term capital planning, SUNY continues to lead by example with bold, forward-thinking initiatives that put sustainability and resilience at the center of its mission. We applaud Chancellor John B. King Jr. and Chief Sustainability Officer Carter Strickland for advancing a system-wide approach to climate education and preparedness."

Dominique Dylan Tatom, Policy and Advocacy Associate, Fostering Youth Success Alliance, said, "The Fostering Youth Success Alliance commends SUNY on their efforts to open doors to higher education and create meaningful pathways for the future of youth with a foster care background. Every young person deserves real opportunities to reach their full potential and thrive in life. SUNY's greater investment in summer internships programs dedicated to youth impacted by the foster care system is a critical step toward equity, stability and long-term success beyond the system."

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, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire 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 $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.