Cayuga Community College will host a special event today at 11 a.m. to celebrate the first students accepted into SUNY Reconnect, a free community college program for adult learners. The program is designed to help New Yorkers without a college degree pursue good-paying jobs while supporting growth in key industries across the state.
Starting this fall, SUNY Reconnect supports New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 seeking an associate’s degree in high-demand fields. After other forms of tuition assistance are applied, the program covers the full cost of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Students also receive additional support, including academic advising, career planning, childcare services, and credit for prior learning.
The event will feature remarks from Cayuga President Dr. Brian Durant, SUNY Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges Valerie Dent, and a participating student. Attendees will learn about the program’s impact, future expansion plans, and its broader benefits to the campus and community.
SUNY Reconnect is part of Governor Kathy Hochul’s agenda to expand educational opportunities and strengthen the workforce. The program targets high-demand industries including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, engineering, technology, nursing and allied health, green and renewable energy, and teaching in shortage areas.
Currently, about 4 million working-age adults in New York do not have a college degree, including an estimated 1.5 million who have completed some college coursework. SUNY Reconnect aims to help these adults gain skills for specialized jobs critical to the state’s economic growth.
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