SUNY announces services to increase support for adult learners

HUDSON―State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced on Friday additional services to increase support for adult learners at SUNY’s community colleges. Through a partnership with the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), 10 SUNY community college campuses were chosen to participate in a project to identify adult learners’ needs to further support their success.

The initiative will help guide further actions that SUNY community colleges can take to support adult learners, including SUNY Reconnect program participants.

The 10 participating campuses are Cayuga Community College, Columbia-Greene Community College, Dutchess Community College, Finger Lakes Community College, Herkimer County Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, SUNY Niagara Community College, Onondaga Community College, Sullivan County Community College, and Westchester Community College.

“By working with community colleges throughout the SUNY system, we will help ensure that our adult learners have the support and services they need to thrive as students and succeed when they graduate,” said SUNY Chancellor King.

“We are proud to work with CAEL to ensure we are doing everything we can for our students, and to identify areas where we can improve services. I thank our participating community colleges for being a part of this effort that will help New Yorkers throughout the state succeed in their academic efforts and achieve upward mobility through the skills they are learning through their SUNY education,” King added.

At no cost to the selected community colleges, the 10 participating schools will administer CAEL’s Adult Learner 360 assessment, which includes surveys for adult learners, as well as surveys for faculty, staff, and administrators, on their campuses to provide a clear picture of strengths and gaps in adult learners supports by comparing institutional practices with adult learner experiences.

The survey is scheduled to launch shortly after each campus's spring break and remain open for four to six weeks. Following the assessment period, CAEL will work with SUNY System and the participating community colleges to address areas that adult learners identified as ways to improve their academic experience.

“Columbia-Greene's adult learners will benefit from the additional support services provided by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, which will increase their opportunity and likelihood of success,” said Columbia-Greene Community College President Victoria L. Walsh.

“I am grateful to Chancellor King for advocating for these resources which benefit our community. The assessment methodology and tools provided by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, enhances our holistic work with all students, especially those who have enrolled through SUNY Reconnect,” Walsh added.

The partnership between SUNY and CAEL will help further support Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program, which provides free community college tuition, fees, books, and supplies for adult learners aged 25-55 in high-demand fields. Since the Fall 2025 launch of SUNY Reconnect, more than 5,600 New Yorkers have enrolled in the program. Governor Hochul’s FY2026-27 Executive Budget expands SUNY Reconnect to include careers in logistics, air traffic control and transportation, and emergency management, as well as makes it easier for adult learners to return to college to pursue nursing if they already have a prior degree. This action builds on SUNY efforts to support adult learners and investments made to support SUNY community colleges throughout New York State.