Chancellor King Celebrates Second Cohort of Empire State Service Corps Across 43 SUNY Campuses

September 17, 2025

Chancellor Highlights Empire State Service Corps, a Proud AmeriCorps Program, as Part of SUNY's Observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day

Fact Sheet on SUNY's Commitment to Civics & Service Here

Photos From 2025 Empire State Service Corps Service & Civics Summit Here


Albany, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees announced that nearly 500 students from 43 SUNY campuses will be participating in the 2025-26 cohort of Empire State Service Corps fellows. Students participating in the program commit to dedicating at least 300 hours a year to engaging in community service and will convene regularly to share and learn from each other's experiences. Chancellor King celebrated this year's participating students as an example of civic education and engagement as part of SUNY's observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day.

"Ensuring students become well-rounded, civically engaged members of society is a core component of a SUNY higher education," said SUNY Chancellor King. "As we observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and celebrate the foundational aspects of the American Democracy, the participants of the Empire State Service Corps represent the living embodiment of service to our great state. I applaud every member of our Empire State Service Corps, and the outstanding staff and faculty who support these future leaders across our SUNY campuses as they work to advance public education, civil discourse, and civic engagement."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "The Empire State Service Corps is a historic initiative, implemented by Governor Kathy Hochul, that helps SUNY students give back to local communities and grow as civic-minded individuals. We thank all of the 2025-26 Empire State Service Corps fellows for their dedication to New York, and we congratulate each of them for taking on this important work."

State Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Toby Ann Stavisky said, "As a former educator and Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, I know how powerful service learning can be. The Empire State Service Corps gives nearly 500 SUNY students the chance to turn classroom lessons into real service for their neighbors. I thank Governor Hochul, Chancellor King, and the SUNY Board for championing this program, and AmeriCorps for recognizing it. This program is building the next generation of engaged citizens and public servants."

State Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman, Chair of the Assembly's Higher Education Committee said, "The Empire State Service Corps is an incredible initiative that empowers SUNY students to make a tangible difference in their communities. As part of SUNY's observance of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, this program will spark careers in public service and a lifetime of community engagement, creating a new cohort of civic leaders and community advocates. It's inspiring to see so many students dedicate themselves to public service and civic engagement."

Beth Tailleur, Acting Executive Director of the New York State Commission on National and Community Service, said, "AmeriCorps New York programs have provided exemplary community service throughout New York State for over 30 years. Despite facing some difficult challenges this year, AmeriCorps New York programs, including SUNY's Empire State Service Corps, stand proud and ready to confront obstacles, improve lives, and strengthen communities. The New York State Commission on National and Community Service greatly appreciate SUNY's commitment to serving others. I congratulate SUNY for being awarded a new AmeriCorps grant for the Empire State Service Corps program, and I look forward to our continued partnership."

This year, for the second year in a row, applications far exceeded the number of spots. About 1,500 students across 55 SUNY campuses applied for the 500 spots available to participate in the Empire State Service Corps, which is funded from $2.75 million championed by Governor Hochul in the State budget and is a recognized AmeriCorps program, meaning that participating students who complete 300 hours also receive an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award of up to $1,500 for their service.

Empire State Service Corps members work in the following areas:

  • Civic Engagement/Civil Discourse: Students will serve either on or off campus with organizations such as local nonprofits related to civic engagement and civil discourse, including nonpartisan voter outreach, voter registration and engaging campus peers in voter activity.
  • Early Childhood: Students will serve at a host site dedicated to early childhood education and/or development (for example, daycare or head start centers).
  • FAFSA Completion: Students will serve local communities, in visits to local high schools and through work on-campus, to support students in completing the FAFSA.
  • Food Insecurity/SNAP Basic Needs: Students will serve on or off campus supporting students / individuals with SNAP outreach as well as basic needs support (which could include shifts at campus food pantry) or with other food insecurity aligned work.
  • K-12 Education: Students will partner with local school districts for regular tutoring sessions with students in the community who need more academic support.
  • Peer Mental Health: Students will be trained to serve as a peer mental health educator typically at a campus/community wellness or counseling center. Students will support peers either on or off campus in supporting strong mental health practices and overall wellness initiatives.
  • Student Success Coaching: Students will work with middle and high school students to combat common challenges external to academics like addressing chronic absenteeism, access to socio-emotional learning, mentoring, and mental health support. 
  • Sustainability: Students will serve in campus roles and with local nonprofits and State agencies on sustainability work, such as recycling campaigns, tree planting, pollinator gardens, and sustainability outreach.
  • Veterans Affairs Outreach: Students will serve at host sites dedicated to supporting active military or veterans' affairs for individuals, families, or affiliated groups.

This month, SUNY will launch the Building Bridges student competition where registered student groups or clubs can submit a proposal for grant funds to create a program on their campus for civic engagement and civil discourse.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is observed on September 17, on the anniversary of the adoption of the United States' Constitution in 1787. The holiday, designated by Congress in 1952, is observed as an opportunity to learn about the U.S. Constitution as the foundation for the American democracy and laws-based government. SUNY campuses observe Constitution and Citizenship Day with educational and civic-engagement focused events, and by highlighted opportunities like the Empire State Service Corps where students are able to uphold American values like service to others and building a better society for all.

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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