Chancellor, Board announce new investments in State of SUNY address

ALBANY, N.Y. — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees recently announced new investments and strategic initiatives they said were designed to accelerate student success and secure the future of New York’s economy and the nation’s democracy.

Chancellor King was joined by Gov. Kathy Hochul as he gave his second State of the University Address to an audience including the SUNY Board of Trustees, government officials, distinguished guests, and the SUNY community of students, faculty, staff, campus leadership, and employer partners.

In the speech, provided via press release, King described the partnership between SUNY, the Board of Trustees, Hochul, the New York State Legislature, the Congressional delegation, and federal officials. This collaboration is fueling record levels of investment and SUNY’s first enrollment gains in a decade, and advancing SUNY’s four pillars of student success; research and scholarship; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and economic development and upward mobility.

“Higher education changed the trajectory of my family’s life, which is why I’m focused on expanding educational opportunities for all New Yorkers and securing SUN­Y’s place as the preeminent public university system in the country,” Hochul said in the release. “From innovations in clean energy to artificial intelligence, students and faculty at SUNY are making groundbreaking advancements and the investments we’re making not only gives young people and families a gateway to the middle class, but it’s also an investment in the future prosperity of our entire state.”

“Thanks to the extraordinary support of Governor Kathy Hochul and state legislators, SUNY is growing enrollment, securing unprecedented funding, delivering crucial wraparound services to more students with the highly successful ASAP and ACE programs, and offering students paid internship opportunities that change lives,” SUNY Board of Trustees said.

“Chancellor King’s vision is inclusive of all New Yorkers and has SUNY on the move, emphasizing opportunity and excellence, building momentum, and giving New York the university system it deserves across all our sectors, be they community colleges, technical colleges, comprehensive colleges, or university centers.

“SUNY’s message is ‘Come one, come all and be part of our SUNY family.’”

King reflected on the commitment from Hochul, the New York State Legislature, and the SUNY Board of Trustees to making SUNY the best public higher education system in the world.

“With record investments in SUNY, promises are being kept, promised programs are blossoming, lasting change and improvement are building every day, and the world is taking notice,” King said. “Today, SUNY is on the move. Our quest for excellence rests on four pillars: student success; research and scholarship; diversity, equity and inclusion; and economic development and upward mobility.

“At SUNY, we will secure the future of the state’s economy and the nation’s democracy by helping students learn to channel their passion and purpose and become civically responsible citizens working for a civil, prosperous, tolerant, and moral society.”

King’s address celebrated highlights from the past year and results from initiatives launched in 2023, including the expansion of ASAP and ACE retention and completion programs at 25 campuses; paid internship opportunities for more students; and unprecedented resources to help students complete the FAFSA — which opens the door to college financial aid — in the face of federal delays.

Building on this agenda for SUNY, King announced new programs and expansions:

1 — Student Success: SUNY will expand support for students with disabilities and students experiencing food insecurity and other basic needs. With enactment of Governor Hochul’s proposal to make FAFSA completion universal among graduating high schools seniors, SUNY is also expanding its support to help students and families complete the form.

2 — Research & Scholarship: In support of Hochul’s Empire AI research center for the public good, SUNY will launch major new initiatives to boost AI research across campuses, attract federal funds, and prepare students and faculty for the ethical and responsible use of this new technology. In addition to moving forward with semiconductor packaging and biotech research initiatives, SUNY will also work to secure major advances on climate research and quantum physics.

3 — Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: SUNY will expand its efforts to recruit veterans and military-connected students, as well as AmeriCorps alumni and students from rural areas of the state and other high-need communities. SUNY will also build on its longstanding and successful Educational Opportunity Program by offering pre-professional EOP programs for students interested in mental health and engineering careers.

In addition, SUNY will prioritize civic education and engagement and civil discourse with a continued commitment to helping students build their civic muscles, including through launch of the Empire State Service Corps. And in the face of rising antisemitism on the nation’s campuses, SUNY will require all faculty and staff to receive training in federal civil rights requirements that protect students from discrimination and harassment.

4 — Economic Development & Upward Mobility: Building on last year’s commitment to the ambitious goal that all SUNY students will have access to internships before they graduate, SUNY will expand paid experiential learning opportunities for students with an additional $4.5 million annual investment.

SUNY is also partnering with the national non-profit Jobs for the Future to support a community of practice for campuses scaling their internship programs, including by providing wraparound support so more students can benefit. In addition, SUNY will increase education and training programs that prepare students for careers in the semiconductor industry, electrifying the building and automotive sectors, health care, and other high-demand fields.

SUNY will also embed industry certifications in degree programs and continue to scale the use of credit for prior learning to recognize and award credit for knowledge gained in the workforce, including through military service.

“Our students are the future of New York and there is no better place than SUNY to train the next generation of scientists, artists, teachers, engineers, health professionals, business leaders, and more,” U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said in the release. “I commend SUNY Chancellor John King’s leadership driving forward the success of the university’s students and ensuring all New Yorkers have access to quality educational opportunities.”

“The SUNY system is a source of immense pride for our state and an international leader in the education of students and conducting cutting-edge research,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said. “I am grateful for Chancellor King’s stewardship of the system and commitment to SUNY’s diverse students, faculty, staff, communities, and institutions.”

“In partnership with our colleagues at SUNY, New York State continues to invest in the innovation economy by supporting the cutting-edge research and development on campuses throughout the state,” Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said. “These collaborative efforts are helping to commercialize new technologies, solve complex problems, and prepare and grow the diverse workforce of tomorrow.”