SUNY Chancellor King Celebrates Student Success, Highlights Expansion of Nation-Leading ASAP|ACE College Completion Initiatives Across NYS
September 24, 2026
Chancellor King Kicked Off Capital Region Event and was Joined by College Leaders, Students, Faculty, and Staff from the State University of New York at Albany, Columbia-Greene Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, and SUNY Schenectady; Photos Available Here
ASAP and ACE Help Students Gain and Maintain Academic Momentum So They Can Graduate on Time
Troy, NY — State University of New York Board Chancellor John B. King Jr. today highlighted the expansion of SUNY's Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE), the nation's leading college retention and completion models. During the months of September and October, campuses are holding regional events to celebrate the program and the students who are benefiting. Chancellor King and SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Merryl H. Tisch participated in the Capital Region event, joining campus leaders, students, faculty, and staff from three of 44 participating ASAP|ACE campuses: the State University of New York at Albany, Columbia-Greene Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, and SUNY Schenectady.
During the event at HVCC, Chancellor King discussed how ASAP|ACE helps students gain and maintain academic momentum so they can graduate on time. Through an additional $8 million allocated in the 2026-27 Enacted State Budget, ASAP (for students pursuing associate degrees) and ACE (for students pursuing bachelor's degrees) have expanded to serve 10,000 students at 44 SUNY campuses beginning in the fall 2026 semester.
"SUNY is committed to student success, and ASAP|ACE is a vital part of SUNY's efforts to ensure our students thrive at every stage of their academic journey," said SUNY Chancellor King. "The expansion of this nationally proven model has given more students access to the resources they need to complete their degrees on time and move forward on a path to upward mobility. We are thrilled that campuses like the State University of New York at Albany, Columbia-Greene Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, and SUNY Schenectady have grown their programs to further support student success.
ASAP and ACE provide students access to a wide variety of resources and support to help them overcome barriers that can prevent them from obtaining a degree, including comprehensive personalized advisement, academic support, career development activities, as well as funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation, and other costs of attendance.
Compared to similar students, ASAP|ACE participants are attempting and earning more credits and are more likely to remain enrolled or complete a degree in the semesters following their entry into the program. ASAP students are earning up to 1.4 more credits than matched comparison students in their first semester, with retention rates increasing over time and reaching 12.3 percentage points higher than matched comparison students by the fourth semester. ACE students are earning up to 1.7 more credits than matched comparison students by their third semester, with retention rates reaching 8.6 percentage points higher than matched comparison students by the fourth semester. These positive outcomes are consistent across semesters and student groups, underscoring the program’s early impact on academic momentum and timely degree completion.
In the Capital Region, ASAP|ACE benefited 300 students during the first year of the program in Fall 2024, which has grown to 1,105 students in the Fall 2026 semester. At Hudson Valley Community College, ASAP expanded in the Fall 2026 semester to serve 450 students, while the State University of New York at Albany expanded to serve 355 students, and SUNY Schenectady expanded ASAP to serve 300 students. Columbia-Greene Community College is launching ASAP with 90 students with plans to reach 150 students by Spring 2027. To learn more about SUNY ASAP|ACE, visit: https://www.suny.edu/asap-ace/.
State University of New York at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez said, "At the University at Albany, we believe talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn't evenly distributed. ACE changes that by meeting students where they are, with advisement, resources, and a community that helps them stay on track and finish strong. We're grateful to SUNY and our elected leaders for investing in a program that is empowering so many of our students to find success."
Angelus David is a Business Administration graduate from the State University of New York at Albany and was one of the first students to graduate from the ACE program on campus. A transfer student from Hudson Valley Community College's ASAP program, he successfully completed his degree this summer. He said, "The dedicated support system, financial incentives, and special access to course scheduling provided by the ASAP and ACE programs were truly life changing. Thanks to the incredible guidance from HVCC and UAlbany and an entire network of dedicated advisors, these programs played a massive role in helping me graduate with a 4.0 GPA. ASAP gave me the exact help I needed as soon as possible, and ACE literally and figuratively helped me 'ace' my education. I highly recommend that every student take advantage of these phenomenal programs. You will definitely thank yourself later!"
Columbia-Greene Community College President Victoria Walsh said, "The ASAP program has been instrumental in providing a stable pathway for our students to receive their degree. Here at Columbia-Greene, our new academic programs in education and health sciences, paired with the structure of the ASAP program, will open doors for students to step into careers where our communities, particularly those that are rural, need them most."
Hudson Valley Community College President Michael Brophy said, "SUNY’s ASAP program at Hudson Valley Community College has had a positive impact on the lives and futures of hundreds of our students, and we are thrilled to be able to offer even more students the opportunity to take advantage of the resources it provides. ASAP is not only instrumental in helping students build and maintain academic momentum during their time with us—it also opens the door to greater transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities within the SUNY system through the ACE program. This collaborative approach between SUNY campuses allows students to map their academic journey with the support they need to succeed through every step of the process."
SUNY Schenectady President Nicole Reaves said, "Students in our ASAP Program are flourishing as they benefit from individualized advising, financial assistance, and the consistent support they need to remain enrolled and graduate on time. We were proud to be one of the first SUNY community colleges included in SUNY’s ASAP Pilot Program. We launched our first cohort in Spring 2024 with 52 students and ASAP rapidly grew from there. We now have 300 students supported through our ASAP office this fall. We are seeing in real time how students stay connected and on track in their degree completion through ASAP. In fact, second-semester retention has increased from 76 percent to 88 percent over the past two and a half years, and SUNY Schenectady has exceeded the SUNY ASAP average for retention in three of its four cohorts. ASAP provides the foundation, community, and support that students need to succeed as they achieve their goals. The growth and success of ASAP at SUNY Schenectady demonstrates what is possible when every student is surrounded by the resources, relationships, and encouragement they need to thrive."
Matthew Perez is in his second year at SUNY Schenectady, earning his A.A.S. degree in Computer Networking Systems and Cybersecurity major. He has been a participant in ASAP since his first semester (Fall 2025) and has found a strong foundation in ASAP both with other students and ASAP staff. He shared, "Being able to make new friends through ASAP has been amazing. I have met a lot of like-minded people who are focusing on their academics and I’ve had new experiences. ASAP Academic Advisor Maura Davis has helped me with my course schedule and she helped me when I was struggling to figure out planning my daily schedule with homework and tests and everything. Last February, I had heart surgery and I came back to school two weeks later. ASAP really helped me get back on my feet academically." A father of two young children, Matthew is on track to graduate in May 2027 and plans to work for New York State and earn his bachelor’s degree."
State Senator Jake Ashby said, "I was glad to support these common-sense investments in the state budget to help students get the most out of their education and provide the additional resources to springboard them to rewarding careers. I’m pleased this program is making a difference right here in our district at Hudson Valley Community College."
State Senator Patricia Fahy said, "New York is home to the nation's leading public college retention and completion models, and SUNY sets the standard by investing in their students' future, holistic success that includes unique support inside and outside the classroom. The success of the SUNY ASAP and SUNY ACE programs underscores SUNY's commitment to putting its students first and affording them every opportunity possible to succeed. I am proud to represent a district here in the Capital Region with extraordinary SUNY schools, faculty, and students, and I thank Governor Hochul, Chancellor John B. King Jr., and the SUNY Board of Trustees for their partnership in championing the continued growth of higher education and student success in New York. When it comes to public higher education, New York State continues to set the national standard."
State Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh, said "I am pleased to see this investment expanding access to these proven supports across SUNY, including right here in the Capital Region. Hudson Valley Community College, SUNY Albany, and SUNY Schenectady are now able to serve more than 1,100 students through ASAP and ACE, giving more students the tools and support they need to earn their degrees and build a stronger future for themselves, their families, and our communities."
State Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero said, "I am thrilled to see the continued expansion of the ASAP/ACE programs across SUNY campuses and the positive impact it is having on students throughout New York State. For many students, the cost of textbooks, transportation, food, and other necessities can create barriers that make it more difficult to stay on track toward a degree. ASAP/ACE provide students with the academic guidance, financial resources, and personalized support they need to overcome those barriers. Expanding these programs to reach 10,000 students is an important investment in our students and their future, and I look forward to seeing even more SUNY students benefit from these opportunities."
State Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara, said, "As a SUNY graduate, I was proud to support additional funding in this year’s State Budget to expand ASAP and ACE. Getting into college is only the first step. Students also need the support to stay on track and earn their degree. These programs help remove everyday barriers—from the cost of books, food and transportation to academic support and career development. We’re seeing that investment at work at SUNY Schenectady right here at home as the program grows to serve 300 students this fall, giving more students the support they need to reach their goals and build a successful future. That’s the kind of investment in our students that I’ll keep fighting for."
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, "College can be a great path to a better job and a better future, but we know students are dealing with a lot outside the classroom, too. The cost of books, transportation, food, and other everyday expenses can make it harder to stay in school. Programs like ASAP and ACE give students the extra support they need to keep moving forward and earn their degrees. It’s great to see these programs expanding across the Capital Region and reaching more students at UAlbany, Hudson Valley Community College and SUNY Schenectady. I want to thank Chancellor King for his leadership and for making programs like these a priority across SUNY. Investing in our students today means building a stronger workforce and a stronger Capital Region tomorrow."
In June, SUNY announced the expansion of ASAP|ACE to serve 10,000 students at 44 SUNY campuses starting in the Fall 2026 semester. ASAP was expanded to six more community colleges, including SUNY Adirondack, Columbia-Greene Community College, Fulton-Montgomery Community College, SUNY Niagara, North Country Community College, and SUNY Sullivan County Community College. ACE was expanded to four more State-operated campuses, including Alfred State College, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Cortland, and SUNY Geneseo.
Additionally, 16 partner campuses with existing programs expanded their capacity to serve additional students. Six community college campuses with ASAP programs in place, including Hudson Valley Community College, Nassau Community College, Rockland Community College, SUNY Schenectady Community College, Suffolk County Community College, and Westchester Community College, and 10 State-operated campuses with ACE programs in place, including the State University of New York at Albany, Buffalo State University, SUNY Delhi, Farmingdale State College, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and SUNY Old Westbury, expanded their capacity to serve additional students.
The expansion of ASAP|ACE is a result of the Enacted 2026-27 State Budget and is part of SUNY's 2026 State of the University Agenda, which describes how the programs have transformed the lives of students throughout the SUNY System. The expansion also advances SUNY's Academic Momentum Campaign, which provides SUNY campuses with financial support and technical assistance to strengthen student retention and completion rates. While SUNY's current completion rates exceed the national averages for public institutions awarding on time bachelor's and associate degrees, SUNY seeks to help all students who start their degrees have the supports they need to finish. Chancellor King's 2026 State of the University Agenda includes additional initiatives to continue strengthening academic momentum so more students make it to, and through the SUNY campus of their choice.
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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