SUNY Chancellor King Launches SUNY Reconnect Tour

June 16, 2025

Chancellor to Visit SUNY Institutions Throughout New York to Promote Governor Hochul's Initiative for Free Community College for Adult Learners in High Demand Fields

SUNY Reconnect Tour Kicks Off at Dutchess Community College

Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today launched the SUNY Reconnect Tour and announced that he will be visiting SUNY community colleges throughout the state to promote New York's free community college program for adult learners, which begins this fall.

Under Governor Kathy Hochul's SUNY Reconnect initiative, New York State will provide free tuition, fees, books, and supplies for adults ages 25-55 who don't already have a college degree and pursue an associate degree in a high-demand field. Chancellor King is kicking off the SUNY Reconnect Tour at Dutchess Community College where he will highlight the campus's early childhood support programs that will help ensure adult learners with children will be able to focus on their classes.

"The SUNY Reconnect program will help empower New Yorkers ages 25-55 to achieve their full potential, and power our state economy in a variety of high-demand, well-paying career fields," said Chancellor King. "This ambitious initiative advanced by Governor Hochul and supported by our state legislature will mean more New Yorkers will be able to receive a world-class education at SUNY community colleges on the path to upward mobility. I look forward to sharing the good news about how SUNY Reconnect will help all of New York move forward, and am I excited to kick off this tour at Dutchess Community College."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Thanks to the vision of Governor Hochul and the support of the state legislature, adult New Yorkers will be able to attend a nearby SUNY community college and earn a world-class education that will empower them to grow in the workforce, while also helping to move our state forward. The SUNY Reconnect program means that these community colleges, and the entire SUNY system, are ready to hit the ground running and welcome an influx of adult learners in the Fall 2025. We thank Governor Hochul and state leaders for investing in adult New Yorkers, and our state's economic future by supporting the SUNY Reconnect program."

Dutchess Community College President Peter Grant Jordan said, "The DCC community is honored to host Chancellor King on this kick-off tour for SUNY Reconnect, a critical system-wide initiative that supports adult learners in coming to college for the first time or returning to college and completing their degrees. At DCC, we're building on a strong foundation of general education programs and services to meet the unique needs of adult students seeking skills to enter in-demand and well-paying careers while balancing education, work, and family obligations. Our commitment to serving all learners is evident in the wraparound supports we provide—and in our growing partnerships with industry and community organizations. DAY ONE Early Learning Community and Astor Head Start are among these extraordinary partners. They help us improve literacy, grow the numbers of early childhood education professionals, and expand access to high-quality childcare so that student-parents can go to school, and local families can go to work knowing their children are getting the care and development they need to thrive. Paired with job readiness training, apprenticeships, mental health services, on-site childcare, and more, these efforts ensure that adult learners at DCC are equipped to succeed and thrive."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Governor Hochul's commitment to prioritizing free community college for adult learners in high-demand fields will help ensure New York has a knowledgeable and skilled workforce ready to take on the jobs of today and well into the future. I thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing workforce development initiatives that not only educate New Yorkers but also help make New York an affordable place to live, work, and raise a family."

New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden said, "We are very fortunate in New York State that we have a government that understands the social and financial costs to our economy and community when we do not invest in education. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, we have the tools to increase access to affordable education and childcare, which supports the goal of eventual economic self-sufficiency—a goal that uplifts New Yorkers and their aspirations. This year's budget enhances the historic investments throughout the continuum of education, starting with the youngest learners, and extending to adults ages 25-55 who aim to enter a high growth career. There is value to society, parents, and children when education is accessible. This initiative will have an incredible impact on parents returning to school who contemplated deferring their goals of higher education due to the lack of childcare. Parents should not have to choose one or the other. Parents pursuing college can attend classes with a peace of mind knowing that their children will receive the building blocks for success, and in many instances like the offering at Duchess Community College, parent and child can learn in close proximity, right on campus."

NYSUT President Melinda Person said, "SUNY Reconnect is a bold step toward making higher education truly accessible. By removing financial barriers, it gives thousands of New Yorkers the chance to return to school, build new careers in high-demand fields, and strengthen their families. It moves us closer to the vision we've laid out in our New Deal for Higher Education campaign: a system that's public, affordable, and deeply connected to the needs of students and communities."

New York State Senator Rob Rolison said, "By removing some of the barriers that so often stand in the way of higher education, we're opening the door to new careers, better wages, and stronger families. I'm proud to support this initiative and welcome Chancellor King to Dutchess Community College—a campus deeply committed to helping students thrive, especially those balancing school and family. Investing in education is investing in our future, and this program will help move the Hudson Valley forward."

State Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, "I am so pleased that Chancellor John B. King is kicking off his SUNY Reconnect Tour at Dutchess Community College in my district. The innovative SUNY Reconnect initiative, introduced by Governor Hochul and passed by the Legislature earlier this year, creates a tuition free pathway for adult learners 25-55 who don't already have a college degree to study and work in a high-demand field – from renewable energy to nursing to advanced manufacturing and more – while at the same time helping address local workforce needs. I encourage my constituents in both Dutchess and Columbia counties to take advantage of this exciting new program."

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, "At a time when so many adults are working hard to build better futures for themselves and their families, SUNY Reconnect is helping to break down barriers to opportunity, and we're proud that Dutchess Community College is helping to lead the way. Dutchess County has advocated for EMS to be recognized as a high-demand field, and we're thrilled to see that call reflected in this initiative – especially as prepare to launch our Paramedic Academy in partnership with DCC. This is a chance to grow our EMS workforce, support local learners and strengthen the services our community depends on every day. It will help more of our neighbors gain access to the tools, training, and support they need to thrive in today's workforce – and that's a win for our entire community."

SUNY Reconnect will fund 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

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.
  • Provided an additional $1 million to cover equipment, materials, supplies, and other one-time needs to increase student enrollment capacity in high-demand programs that are part of SUNY Reconnect.
  • 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.

In addition to SUNY Reconnect, the FY25-26 Enacted State Budget provides $8 million in increased operating aid to community colleges – the first back-to-back operating aid increases in decades for these institutions – and maintains the 100% community college funding floor, which protects community colleges from $75 million lost direct state tax support.

The budget also provides significant funding toward New York's longstanding Educational Opportunity Program, which has served more than 85,000 students, and increased support for ASAP|ACE, which will make these proven retention and completion programs permanent at SUNY and allow for a significant expansion.

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.

Share this:

       

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