SUNY Chancellor King and Board of Trustees Announce Bold Initiatives to Build on SUNY’s Affordable Excellence and Help New York’s Students and Communities Thrive
June 3, 2026
SUNY is On the Move, Fueling Student Success, New York’s Economy, and Our Democracy
Full Transcript, Policy Book, and Video Available Here
Photos Available Here
Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees today announced bold initiatives and expansions to provide affordable excellence and help New York’s students and communities thrive. Highlighting the value of a public higher education, SUNY Chancellor King delivered his fourth State of the University address from the Lewis A. Swyer Theatre at The Egg in Albany 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.
"As Governor of New York, I have made a historic commitment to SUNY because I know that higher education is one of the most powerful tools we have for advancing the public good," said Governor Kathy Hochul. "The return on these investments is measured not only in degrees conferred, but in the number of communities strengthened, and futures transformed. When SUNY thrives, New York State thrives."
During his address, SUNY Chancellor King said, “At a time when doomerism and cynicism too often rule the day, our successes stand in sharp rebuke to anyone who says higher education is adrift, or not worth the investment, or lacking in guiding principles. To them, we say: come to SUNY, where we open doors. Come to SUNY, where there’s a place for every New Yorker to thrive. We have made historic investments thanks to the bold leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, as well as legislative champions, led by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, along with our Higher Education Committee Chairs, Toby Stavisky in the Senate and Alicia Hyndman in the Assembly. I am profoundly grateful for all our local, state, and federal partners, whose belief in the integrity of SUNY’s mission sustains and fuels us forward.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “Through the strong support of Governor Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and our State Legislature, SUNY has committed to new initiatives that will continue to support our students, expand our research, improve our academic opportunities, and grow our state economy. We thank our Governor and State leaders for their investment and unwavering faith in SUNY. With our steadfast commitment and the excellent work of our campus leaders, faculty, researchers, students, and staff, we will meet this moment of transition in higher education, our economy, and our entire society.”
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, “As Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee I am very proud of the historic funding levels we were able to secure for SUNY over the past few years. We must continue to deliver for our students by investing in infrastructure and 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 L. Hyndman, Chair of the Higher Education Committee, said, “As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, a college degree is the most powerful vehicle for upward mobility and democratic engagement in New York State. The bold initiatives outlined by Chancellor King - from the vital expansion of SUNY Reconnect and the ASAP|ACE programs to the inspiring growth of the Empire State Service Corps - demonstrate a profound commitment to holistic student success. By investing in paid experiential learning, dismantling financial barriers for adult learners, and fostering civic responsibility, we are not just preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow; we are empowering them to be the transformative leaders our communities need. I applaud these comprehensive initiatives that firmly establish SUNY as a beacon of affordable excellence, equity, and democratic empowerment.”
SUNY is on the move, with enrollment up in each sector for each of the last three years and Direct State Tax Support up by nearly half a billion dollars over the last four years to ensure SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities can thrive. In today’s speech, SUNY Chancellor King highlighted how SUNY and public higher education fuels student success, New York’s economy, and our democracy.
Full Transcript, Policy Book, Video, and Photos Available Here
Public higher education is a public good across New York State, and Chancellor King addressed how SUNY will move forward with the ongoing financial support and commitment in the 2026-2027 Enacted Budget from Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and the State Legislature, including:
SUNY Fuels Student Success:
SUNY is strengthening academic momentum toward college completion. SUNY’s implementation of Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) – the nation’s leading college retention and completion models – achieved the Fall 2025 semester enrollment goal of more than 7,000 students at 34 SUNY campuses. By Fall 2026, 10,000 SUNY students at 44 campuses will be a part of ASAP|ACE.
Chancellor King announced that in the coming year, SUNY will continue to make progress on our Academic Momentum Campaign, including by strengthening academic advising, helping students access financial aid, improving the first-year experience, and providing opportunities for reverse transfer so community college students who transfer to a four-year institution before they earn their degree can be awarded their associate degree if they have enough credits. SUNY will also continue to strengthen basic needs support by implementing the Enacted State Budget’s new resources for Emergency Aid Funds, expanding access to fresh food at our food pantries, and improving transportation support. In addition, SUNY will also continue to make progress on student engagement, sense of belonging, and mental health, which are integral to the well-being of our students. SUNY’s agenda includes additional focus on the student success needs of first-generation students, veterans, and students with disabilities.
To amplify the energy and commitment of our students, SUNY will name 100 Eco-Ambassadors across the SUNY System. Eco-Ambassadors will serve as knowledgeable peers to their fellow students – across a range of academic disciplines – on environmental and sustainability issues. The Eco-Ambassador Program will serve as a paid community service opportunity to help students develop their knowledge and skills while improving their campuses.
Chancellor King noted, “Everywhere I go, I tell folks that our very first responsibility in higher education is to make sure students who start, finish. At SUNY, we are absolutely unyielding in our commitment to degree completion. So, in a time of economic upheaval and technological transformation, we are betting on the most time-tested support our society knows: a human connection that guides and uplifts.”
“Ultimately, classrooms enlivened by diverse perspectives—socioeconomic, racial and ethnic, cultural and religious, regional, experiential, intellectual, political and more—foster richer, more generative discussions and lead to more fulfilling college experiences for our students… more creative research questions… and more academic excellence,” Chancellor King added.
The SUNY Board of Trustees noted, “Advancing student success is at the very core of what makes the State University of New York a premier institution of affordable higher education and a global leader in this space. The initiatives that have advanced under Chancellor King have already helped uplift students and support their efforts to earn their degrees and unleash their full potential. Building on these programs will help even more New York students succeed at the SUNY of their choice, and thrive after graduation.”
George W. Cushman, Chair of New York Community College Trustees, said, “As the institutions most deeply woven into the fabric of their local communities, SUNY's community colleges are proud to be essential partners in advancing SUNY Reconnect, expanding access to ASAP|ACE, and connecting students to meaningful careers through the Career Connected initiative. NYCCT applauds Governor Hochul's historic commitment, Chancellor King's bold leadership, and the dedicated trustees and presidents whose tireless advocacy ensures that every New Yorker — regardless of background or ZIP code — has the opportunity to succeed, and we remain committed to working together to ensure that adequate state operating support keeps that promise of affordability real.”
Anne Mosle, Vice President, Aspen Institute, and Founder and Executive Director, Ascend at the Aspen Institute, said, “There is nothing more inspiring than watching students cross the graduation stage — and even more so when they are student parents, earning a degree while creating new opportunities for their children and families. Student parents are among the most determined and ambitious learners in higher education. But too many of them face barriers that have little to do with academics and everything to do with balancing work, caregiving, and family responsibilities. Ascend applauds SUNY's commitment to expanding opportunities for these learners and creating more parent-friendly campuses. Through Forward With Families, we are working to align and amplify solutions that make affordability possible, economic mobility achievable, and long-term security attainable for every family. SUNY's approach reflects an important truth: when we invest in student parents, we create benefits that span generations, strengthening families, communities, and our economy.”
Stephanie Baker, Senior Policy Manager, Higher Education Policy for New America, said, “Many of today's students are adults returning to school while carrying significant responsibilities like parenting and working, in hopes of creating opportunity for themselves and their families. Our higher education systems weren't built with their needs in mind, and I'm excited to see SUNY working to change that through investments in basic needs, emergency aid, and offering more schedule options that reflect adult learners' needs and realities. When we invest in parenting and adult learners, it benefits all of us through stronger communities, workforces, and economies.”
Kirsten Keefe, Senior Director for Policy & Advocacy, New York, The Institute for College Access & Success, said, “Chancellor John King continues to focus on what matters: serving all New York's students to pursue a quality higher education experience. TICAS especially appreciates SUNY’s focus on critical college completion programs - including ACE and ASAP - and the system’s effort to launch emergency aid programs across all campuses.”
Therese Daly, President & CEO, United Way of New York State and 211 New York Inc, said, “We are honored to celebrate Chancellor King and the entire SUNY Administration for the 2026 State of SUNY Address and to acknowledge the extraordinary impact of the SUNY system on New York’s students, communities, workforce, and economy. SUNY remains one of our state’s greatest assets, providing accessible, high-quality education that transforms lives and creates pathways to opportunity for millions of New Yorkers. At a time when higher education is navigating rapid technological change, workforce challenges, and evolving student needs, SUNY’s leadership has never been more important. Chancellor King’s vision and commitment to innovation, student success, and economic mobility continue to position SUNY as a national leader in public higher education. We know from our 2026 ALICE Report, New York Families are struggling to make ends meet, and the work by SUNY helps navigate families focused on advancing the future for their children, and we are so grateful. We are excited about the future of the SUNY system and stand firmly in support of its mission to prepare the next generation of leaders, strengthen communities across the state, and ensure New York remains competitive in an increasingly dynamic global economy. We look forward to partnering with SUNY as it continues to expand opportunity and drive progress for all New Yorkers.”
Theresa Anderson, Senior Fellow at the Urban Institute, said, “I have long admired SUNY’s commitment to parenting students, and I'm encouraged to see Chancellor King elevating student parents and adult learners in his current agenda. SUNY’s investments in on-campus child care have long been a model for the field, and its philanthropic partnership to tailor wraparound supports to student parents builds on that commitment. As SUNY advances this work, I hope it will continue to identify parenting students in its data systems. When these students are visible, SUNY institutions can develop and strengthen the supports that help them succeed in meeting their education, family, and economic goals.”
SUNY Fuels The Economy:
SUNY Chancellor King has prioritized resources and developed public and private partnerships to ensure every student will have an opportunity for an internship or other experiential learning experience. The 2026-27 Enacted State Budget includes $7.25 million for Governor Hochul’s SUNY Career Connected initiative. SUNY will invest these resources to support additional internships at State-operated campuses and community colleges, including research internships, public service internships, and internships with regional employers.
Through the Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul and the State Legislature are making it possible to expand SUNY Reconnect, the Governor’s free community college program for New York State residents ages 25 to 55. In the first year of the program 5,600 students enrolled. SUNY will expand SUNY Reconnect to include additional fields such as emergency management, air traffic controllers, and logistics. Adults who already have a degree will also be eligible for SUNY Reconnect if they wish to pursue a career in nursing. In addition, beginning in Fall 2026, SUNY Reconnect will expand beyond community colleges to also include eligible associate degree programs at Baccalaureate-granting institutions that also award associate degrees.
Through funding to cover faculty time and resources, and with support from the AI for the Public Good Fellows, SUNY will support cross-campus collaborations of faculty as they identify how AI is transforming discipline-specific professional expectations and map specific AI-enabled skills into student learning outcomes across the curriculum.
Chancellor King said, “We also know that in today’s world, a degree alone is often not enough. Students who complete internships are more likely to secure job offers before graduation, earn higher starting salaries, and experience higher rates of career satisfaction.”
“I can think of few topics today that provoke the level of economic and existential anxiety that AI does, and yet, I believe AI presents an opportunity to live our values. No matter what happens in five, 10, or 100 years… creativity, communication, and problem-solving are not just skills that can be taught—they are inexorably human, relational practices that help us navigate the world. In fact, these are the very same values a liberal arts education is meant to cultivate. This only reinforces what we know to be true: the liberal arts can and will have enduring value to our students, our society, and our economy,” Chancellor King noted.
The SUNY Board of Trustees added, “The State University of New York is a workforce driver in New York State, and through the leadership of Governor Hochul, even more New Yorkers are able to take advantage of SUNY’s life-changing education and job training programs. Under the initiatives outlined by Chancellor King, SUNY will continue to grow and be better able to prepare the next generation of New York leaders and ensure our state economy thrives.”
Allison Considine, New York Director of the Building Decarbonization Coalition said, “SUNY continues to demonstrate what national leadership on climate and energy innovation looks like. From advancing thermal energy networks on campuses to decarbonizing their infrastructure and educating future clean energy leaders, SUNY is showing how public institutions can reduce emissions, lower long-term operating costs, and strengthen communities at the same time. We applaud Chancellor King and the Board of Trustees for their commitment to building a cleaner, more resilient future for New York.”
Heather Mulligan, President & CEO, The Business Council of New York State, said, “SUNY continues to prove that a world-class education can be accessible, affordable, and meaningful to the needs of our state's economy. Chancellor King’s State of the University highlights a bold and forward-looking vision, one that expands opportunity for students, strengthens our workforce, and reinforces SUNY’s vital role as an engine of economic growth across New York. We commend SUNY for its continued commitment to excellence and for ensuring that students in every corner of the state have the tools they need to succeed and thrive.”
Bill Ulfelder, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in New York, said, “The Nature Conservancy commends the State University of New York for its ongoing leadership in advancing conservation and climate projects across its campuses. We applaud Chancellor King, the SUNY Board of Trustees, and campus teams for demonstrating the power of environmental action. By reducing pollution, expanding outdoor access, and embedding sustainability into education and workforce training, SUNY is improving public health and safety, protecting nature, and strengthening our economy.”
Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters, said, “From training the next generation of environmental leaders – empowered through the new Eco-Ambassador program – to ensuring sustainability is integrated across academic disciplines, to leading the way on building decarbonization through thermal energy networks, SUNY continues to demonstrate what climate leadership looks like in practice. When large, respected institutions like SUNY lead, others follow, and we applaud Chancellor John B. King Jr. and Chief Sustainability Officer Carter Strickland for their continued commitment to environmental progress.”
Colleen McDonald, NBCT Director, NYS Educator Workforce Development HUB, said, “Today's State of the University program was inspiring, thoughtful, and pragmatic. It provided a poignant overview of individual, representative, and system wide accomplishments as well as the vision for future achievements through remarkable storytelling. Thank you Chancellor King for bringing these voices into the room and leading SUNY as the cornerstone of opportunities for every New Yorker!”
SUNY Fuels Our Democracy:
SUNY is instilling a culture of public service statewide. The Empire State Service Corps was founded in 2024, and since then, more than 500 students each year have served in paid public service opportunities in fields such as K-12 tutoring, basic needs support, peer mental health, and sustainability. In the first year of the program, Corps members completed more than 100,000 service hours and impacted the lives of more than 75,000 New Yorkers. Student interest has far exceeded available spots, with 2,000 students applying for the 500 spots in the Empire State Service Corps in the first year alone. The Empire State Service Corps is now New York State’s largest AmeriCorps program.
Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, the Empire State Service Corps will expand to 1,000 corps members in Fall 2026 and have a presence at more than 50 SUNY campuses. Governor Hochul also directed the Corps to launch the disaster response team, which will receive citizen preparedness training and be prepared to deploy in the case of a natural disaster. In addition, due to philanthropic support from the Ibis Group, 25 additional Corps members will be specifically trained in the Science of Reading to support high-quality tutoring and increase literacy in the early grades.
In partnership with the State Board of Elections, SUNY will launch automatic voter registration this summer. Thanks to a new State law, every eligible SUNY student will be given the opportunity to update their voting address when registering for classes. Nearly 40 SUNY campuses are also participating in the nonpartisan national ALL IN initiative to encourage voter engagement.
Chancellor King said, “We provide degrees with value in the marketplace. We pursue academic excellence in the classroom and conduct world-class research and scholarship. We give students a foundation that prepares them to be citizens of a healthy democracy.”
“Civil discourse is not just about different cultures and races and religions and ideas coexisting. Rather, it calls on us to understand experiences and perspectives outside of our own, and, where we can’t resolve differences, to cultivate a habit of mind that lets us hold two, maybe seemingly contradictory ideas at once,” Chancellor King added.
The SUNY Board of Trustees noted, “A strong and vibrant democracy requires an educated and engaged citizenry. SUNY is proud to empower our students to undertake civic engagement opportunities, and to be informed and involved voters and citizens. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s strong commitment, we are able to double the Empire State Service Corps and ensure even more students are able to participate in this opportunity to give back to local communities throughout New York State.”
Laura Lindenfeld, Executive Director, Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, said, “The Chancellor’s continued commitment to research is a welcome one. We also know science is more impactful when it can be understood in a way that brings people together. That’s why we’re so glad to see not only the Chancellor’s commitment to expanding research, but to supporting students and faculty in their ability to have difficult conversations that lead to understanding. Communication is a core part of research infrastructure. The Alda Center is proud to partner with SUNY to build that capacity.”
Susan Haarman, Director of Campus Partnerships, Interfaith America, said, “Chancellor King’s commitment to pluralism will ensure SUNY continues to be a bastion of democratic formation for students. It shows SUNY schools dedication to being places of value AND values.”
Nancy S. Shapiro, co-chair of the Multi-State Collaborative for College Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement, said, “Public higher education has a civic mission, and part of that civic mission is preparing students for active, effective, informed participation in civic and democratic life. Chancellor John B. King Jr. has demonstrated yet again that he understands this mission and the powerful role that the SUNY system can play in advancing it. Helping students hone the skills to debate and disagree productively builds the next generation of leaders we need to solve difficult problems. We’re grateful to the Chancellor and urge higher education systems across the country to follow suit.”
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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