Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect Program Provides Free Community College Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies for Eligible Adult Learners in High-Demand Fields
Visit Highlights SUNY Sullivan’s Respiratory Care Program
Original press release published .
State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today visited Sullivan County Community College as part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour. Chancellor King has been visiting SUNY community colleges throughout the state to promote New York’s free community college program for adult learners, which officially began at the start of Fall 2025 classes. Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect initiative, New York State is providing free tuition, fees, books, and supplies for adults ages 25-55 who don’t already have a college degree and want to pursue an associate degree in high-demand fields.
“SUNY Reconnect is giving more adult learners throughout New York State the opportunity to achieve upward mobility and success,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “Through access to a high-quality, engaging education, campuses like SUNY Sullivan are providing students with life-changing opportunities. I commend the campus for its outstanding offerings and support of our adult learners.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “Governor Hochul’s transformative SUNY Reconnect program has opened doors for thousands of adult learners seeking to unleash their full potential through pursuing a degree in a high-demand field. We are proud to work with Governor Hochul on this initiative and thank her and state leaders for their unwavering support of SUNY’s adult learners.”
During his visit, Chancellor King highlighted SUNY Sullivan’s Respiratory Care program, which is eligible for SUNY Reconnect. SUNY Reconnect ensures that students receive enough financial aid and support services, including a single point of contact, extended hours, and prep courses, to complete their associate degrees. To learn more about the SUNY Reconnect degree programs available at SUNY Sullivan, visit /freecc/.
Chancellor King also toured SUNY Sullivan’s ATTAIN Lab, a resource providing free computer access, high-speed internet, digital literacy training, and GED preparation for any resident who needs it, whether they come to campus or connect from home. For adults who have not been able to access education and employment due to a lack of technology skills or a missing credential, the ATTAIN Lab is the first step on a clear pathway, from digital literacy to GED completion to college enrollment through the Sullivan County Promise Scholarship. For more information about SUNY ATTAIN please visit .
SUNY Sullivan President David Potash said, “SUNY Reconnect has changed the conversation about who college is for in Sullivan County. The answer is everyone. Adults who had given up on the idea of a degree are enrolling, succeeding, and building better futures for themselves and their families. This program is one of the most important things happening at this college right now, and its potential to transform educational attainment and workforce capacity in Sullivan County is extraordinary.”
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Eligible adults looking to expand their skills can open doors with a free associates degree in high-demand fields including nursing and respiratory care. I applaud Governor Hochul for her continued investment in programs like SUNY Reconnect that create pathways to great-paying careers and ensure that New York State has a skilled and educated workforce to support its communities.”
Doris B. Gonz谩lez, Acting President of the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation said, “SUNY Reconnect is a transformative initiative that not only opens doors for adult learners but also strengthens New York’s workforce in critical fields. I commend Governor Hochul for her vision in launching this program and Chancellor King for championing its impact across the state. SUNY Sullivan’s commitment to providing high-quality education and resources ensures that students are equipped to meet the demands of our healthcare system, addressing workforce shortages while building a brighter future for our communities.”
State Senator Peter Oberacker said, “SUNY Reconnect is a game-changer for adult learners across our region, opening doors that were once out of reach. Programs like SUNY Sullivan’s Respiratory Care track and the ATTAIN Lab are meeting people where they are; providing the skills, support, and second chances that lead directly to good-paying, in-demand careers. Chancellor King’s visit underscores the importance of expanding workforce development and educational opportunity here in Sullivan County and across New York.”
Sullivan County Legislature Chair Nadia Rajsz said, “Sullivan County has a healthcare workforce shortage, and SUNY Reconnect is one of the most direct tools we have to address it. Adults who want to become nurses, respiratory care specialists, or medical assistants can now pursue those credentials at SUNY Sullivan completely free of charge. That is good for our residents, good for our healthcare system, and good for the long-term health of this county. The Legislature fully supports this program and encourages every eligible adult in Sullivan County to take advantage of it.”
To support the success of SUNY Reconnect, SUNY has:
- Allocated $4 million to community colleges to support SUNY Reconnect programmatic implementation through advising, enrollment, outreach, award of credit for prior learning, and other student services, supports, and campus operations. SUNY Sullivan received $100,000 and has expanded staffing to include a full-time adult navigator role; provided funding for staff to focus on adult recruitment and admissions; developed a tailored adult learner marketing outreach campaign; offset student costs for Credit for Prior Learning awards; invested in the adult student lounge with evening and weekend offerings; and provided professional development for faculty and staff to best serve adult students.
- Provided an additional $1 million to cover equipment, materials, supplies, and other one-time needs to increase student enrollment, through which SUNY Sullivan is using its $35,000 allotment to invest in nursing and allied health programs including renovation of a new classroom lab for the medical assistant program; expand capacity in the respiratory therapy program with a new polysomnography class and equipment upgrades; and add an additional cohort in the nursing program with Nursing suite upgrades.
- Announced $1.1 million in grant funding for the聽to help community colleges increase access and ensure degree completion for adult learners. The campus received a $50,000 grant to participate in the Adult Learner Leadership initiative and is using the funds to expand the use of Credit for Prior Learning to help recruit students into programs; create targeted social media, email, and print campaigns with relevant messaging for adult demographics; expand services and supports to evenings and weekends and transition key programs to include fully online options; and expand co-requisite supports in Math and English including tutoring services.
SUNY Reconnect funds degrees in high-demand fields including:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- Technology
- Nursing and Allied Health Fields
- Green and Renewable Energy
- Pathways to Teaching in Shortage Areas
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 to make it easier for adult learners to return to college to pursue nursing if they already have a prior degree.
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