In an op-ed for the USA Today network, State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. discussed the role of higher education in fostering economic growth and mobility. He emphasized the importance of making education accessible and affordable to overcome barriers such as tuition costs and caregiving responsibilities.
“SUNY investments in students today will lead to a stronger New York tomorrow,” King stated. He highlighted the partnership with the governor and Legislature to keep tuition affordable and provide financial aid, which allows 52% of in-state undergraduates to attend tuition-free.
King praised SUNY’s opportunity programs designed to support diverse student populations through their educational journey. These initiatives are crucial as New York seeks to benefit from a manufacturing renaissance amid national debates on higher education’s value.
The SUNY Transformation Fund, championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul over two years ago, expanded the evidence-based retention model ASAP|ACE across 25 campuses. “Participating students are more likely to earn more credits towards graduation, stay in school and complete their programs,” King noted.
Recent budget allocations will extend this model to over 7,000 students at 34 campuses by fall 2025, with plans for further expansion by fall 2026. These programs combine financial aid with personalized advising and community integration, supporting students facing various challenges.
Under these efforts, real-time data collection helps assess program success. Initial results show higher credit completion rates among participating students compared to non-participants.
Additionally, research from MRDC found that ASAP participants earned 14% more than a control group eight years post-program completion at Ohio community colleges.
King concluded by emphasizing the importance of continued investment in public higher education: “If we do that, we can fulfill public higher education’s highest promises throughout New York — and show the rest of the country what’s possible.”
John B. King Jr., who served as U.S. Secretary of Education under President Obama, is now chancellor of SUNY.
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, serving about 1.4 million students across its institutions. SUNY contributes significantly to academic research in New York with expenditures nearing $1.16 billion for fiscal year 2024.
