Chancellor King Continues the SUNY Reconnect Tour with Visit to Jefferson Community College
August 26, 2026
Governor Hochul's SUNY Reconnect Program Provides Free Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies for Eligible Adult Learners Pursuing an Associate Degree in a High-Demand Field
Visit Highlights Jefferson Community College's Health Sciences, Cybersecurity, and Engineering Programs
Interested Adults Can Learn More About SUNY Reconnect Here
Watertown, NY — The State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today visited Jefferson Community College as part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour. Chancellor King has been visiting SUNY campuses throughout the state to highlight Governor Hochul's SUNY Reconnect program, which officially began at the start of Fall 2025 classes, and provides free associate degrees in high-demand fields for eligible adult learners. In the 2026-2027 Enacted State Budget, SUNY Reconnect was expanded to include associate degree programs at bachelor's granting institutions, additional high-demand programs, and will make it easier for adult learners to return to college to pursue nursing if they have a prior degree in another field.
"The SUNY Reconnect program is helping adult learners throughout the state pursue the career of their dreams," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Campuses like Jefferson Community College are vital drivers of upward mobility that empower our students to reach their full potential through an affordable, excellent public higher education. I commend Jefferson Community College for supporting our adult learners and providing them with a well-rounded education."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Governor Kathy Hochul's SUNY Reconnect program has transformed the lives of adult learners while also helping to address New York State's workforce needs. SUNY community colleges throughout the state are engines of upward mobility that provide students with the opportunity to earn degrees and achieve good jobs that will uplift communities and power New York’s economy."
During his visit, Chancellor King highlighted Jefferson Community College's health sciences, cybersecurity, and engineering programs, which are eligible for SUNY Reconnect. To learn more about SUNY Reconnect programs available at Jefferson Community College visit: https://www.sunyjefferson.edu/freecc.php.
Jefferson Community College President Daniel J. Dupee II said, "SUNY Reconnect is opening doors for New Yorkers who may have put college on hold or never had the opportunity to pursue a degree. At Jefferson, we’re proud to expand that opportunity through our new Health Sciences degree, which provides a clear pathway for students to build a strong foundation in the sciences and continue on to nursing or other health-related bachelor’s degree programs. By combining an in-demand academic pathway with the financial support available through SUNY Reconnect, we’re helping more adults take the next step toward a rewarding career while strengthening the healthcare workforce our region needs."
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, "Now in its second year, the SUNY Reconnect program has expanded to provide even more opportunities to New York's workforce. Governor Hochul’s continued commitment to free community college for eligible adult learners not only makes our state a more affordable place to live and work but also provides clear pathways to high-demand careers in fields like health science, cybersecurity, and engineering."
New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Acting President Doris B. González said, "As Chancellor King restarts the SUNY Reconnect Tour, in its second year, with his visit to Jefferson Community College, we are reminded of how transformative this program is for adult learners across our state. Thanks to Governor Hochul's vision, adult learners can pursue associate degrees in high-demand fields like health sciences, cybersecurity, and engineering with free tuition, fees, books, and supplies. I thank Chancellor King for shining a light on these life-changing opportunities and for championing the students who benefit from them."
Launched in Fall 2025, Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect initiative provides free tuition, fees, books, and supplies for New York State resident adults ages 25-55 who do not already have a college degree to pursue an associate degree in a high-demand field, after all applicable financial aid. SUNY launched a dedicated website: suny.edu/reconnect, to provide information to prospective students and promote the launch of SUNY Reconnect. In November 2025, Governor Hochul announced that in the inaugural year of SUNY Reconnect, more than 5,600 New Yorkers took advantage of the program.
State Assemblymember Kenneth Blankenbush said, "Jefferson Community College has long been an important part of our North Country, and programs like SUNY Reconnect can help open new doors for adults who are ready to build a better future for themselves and their families. By expanding access to training in health sciences, cybersecurity, engineering and other high-demand fields, we are not simply helping people earn degrees, we are strengthening the workforce our communities will depend on for years to come. I am proud to see Jefferson Community College leading the way and giving more New Yorkers the opportunity to learn new skills, fill critical jobs and build their future right here at home."
State Assemblymember Scott Gray said, "It is always a privilege to welcome Chancellor King to the North Country, especially to showcase the outstanding work happening at Jefferson Community College. The expansion of the SUNY Reconnect program in this year’s budget is a major win for adult learners across our region. By removing financial barriers for high-demand fields like health sciences, cybersecurity, and engineering, we are opening doors for residents to upskill, re-enter the workforce, and secure high-paying careers right here at home. Jefferson Community College continues to be a vital hub for economic growth in Jefferson County, and I encourage eligible adults in our community to take full advantage of this transformative opportunity."
Governor Hochul's 2026-27 Enacted Budget expanded SUNY Reconnect to include associate degrees in supply chain/logistics, air traffic control and aviation management, and emergency management. The Enacted State Budget also made it easier for adult learners to return to college to pursue nursing if they have a prior degree in a different field, to further strengthen New York State's nursing workforce and support Governor Hochul's goal to grow the healthcare workforce by 20 percent.
The 2026-27 Enacted Budget also expands SUNY Reconnect to include eligible associate degree programs at bachelor degree-granting institutions including Alfred State, SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech, SUNY Canton, SUNY Delhi, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), SUNY Farmingdale State College, SUNY Maritime College, and SUNY Morrisville.
SUNY Reconnect funds degrees in high-demand fields including:
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Air Traffic Control and Aviation Management* (newly added for 2026-27 Academic Year)
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- Emergency Management* (newly added for 2026-27 Academic Year)
- Supply Chain/Logistics* (newly added for 2026-27 Academic Year)
- Technology
- Nursing and Allied Health Fields
- Green and Renewable Energy
- Pathways to Teaching in Shortage Areas
To bolster the success of students participating in SUNY Reconnect, SUNY has allocated $4.6 million to support SUNY Reconnect programmatic implementation through advising, enrollment, outreach, award of credit for prior learning, and other student services, supports, and campus operations.
Chancellor King's visit is part of his ongoing effort to visit SUNY institutions throughout the state to highlight SUNY Reconnect. Following the May 2025 launch of Governor Hochul's SUNY Reconnect program for adult learners in New York State, Chancellor King kicked off the first leg of the SUNY Reconnect Tour and visited all 29 participating community college campuses throughout 2025 and 2026.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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