Chancellor King Visits SUNY Erie Community College as Part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour
August 14, 2025
Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect Provides Free Community College Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies for Eligible Adult Learners in High-Demand Fields
Visit Highlights Erie’s High-Demand Programs and Includes Grand Opening of Erie Community College’s South Location
Buffalo, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today visited SUNY Erie Community College as part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour. Chancellor King is visiting SUNY community colleges throughout the state to promote New York’s free community college program for adult learners, which will begin in fall 2025. 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, to help them pursue an associate degree in a high-demand field.
During his visit, Chancellor King spotlighted several of Erie’s in-demand associate degree programs including Nursing, Automotive Technology, Information Technology, and Mental Health Assistant: Substance Abuse Counseling, all of which are eligible for the SUNY Reconnect program. This initiative is designed to help adult learners gain valuable skills in high-demand fields.
Chancellor King also participated in the grand opening of SUNY Erie’s south location in Orchard Park, which includes a science lab, library, computer lab, student services office, food pantry, student lounge, several classroom areas, and faculty office space.
"Every year, thousands of Western New York residents rely on SUNY Erie Community College to advance academically and economically, and thanks to Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program, more adult learners will be able to take advantage of this vital community institution," said SUNY Chancellor King. "I am pleased to see the program expansions that have been implemented to aid our adult learners and provide even more resources and support for SUNY Erie Community College students."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Governor Hochul’s initiative to provide free community college for adult learners, the SUNY Reconnect program, will kick off to a strong start thanks to critically important institutions like SUNY Erie Community College. SUNY Erie Community College has provided New Yorkers throughout the region with the experience needed to advance their economic, professional, and personal goals, and by expanding to meet the community’s needs, even more New Yorkers will be able to grow and thrive at SUNY Erie Community College. We thank Governor Hochul and state leaders for their strong support of this crucial institution, and the entire SUNY system."
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Free community college for adult learners opens new doors for New Yorkers and ensures that there are skilled and knowledgeable workers in sectors that communities statewide need, including nursing, information technology, and advanced manufacturing. I thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing workforce development initiatives that create stronger career pathways across the state."
SUNY Erie Community College President Dr. Adiam Tsegai said, "This new location reflects SUNY Erie’s deep commitment to innovation, student success, and community partnership. We are thrilled to open the doors to a space that will foster collaboration, growth, and academic excellence."
NYSUT President Melinda Person said, "Erie Community College is at the heart of what SUNY Reconnect is all about: second chances, new beginnings, and real-world opportunities. Whether you’re a veteran, a parent, or someone who needed to put their education on pause, this campus is showing what’s possible when we eliminate barriers and invest in people. Chancellor King’s visit is a celebration of the promise of public higher education—and the powerful role community colleges play in strengthening both families and the workforce."
State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said, "Congratulations to everyone at SUNY Erie on the opening of the new campus in Orchard Park, which will serve the entire Western New York community for many years to come. SUNY's exciting Reconnect initiative will assist thousands of adult learners interested in pursuing a degree in one of several high demand careers, benefiting themselves, their families and all New Yorkers."
State Assemblymember Jonathan Rivera said, "It’s wonderful to have Chancellor King at SUNY Erie spotlighting the in-demand degree programs that will help adults across Western New York secure good-paying jobs in growing industries. I’m proud of the work we did in this year’s budget to deliver $8 million in increased operating aid to community colleges, marking the first back-to-back aid increases in decades. That investment, paired with the Assembly Majority’s commitment to providing free tuition, fees, books, and supplies for adult learners, will ensure that institutions like SUNY Erie have the resources they need to expand access, strengthen our workforce, and change lives."
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 percent community college funding floor, which protects community colleges from $75 million in 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.
To learn more about the SUNY Reconnect degree programs available at Erie Community College, visit https://www.ecc.edu/admissions-and-aid/freeCC.html.
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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Holly Liapis
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