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AUBURN – State and local lawmakers, students, and SUNY officials Tuesday joined Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ· leaders in highlighting the benefits and expansion of the Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) Program, a transformative two-year model that has been widely demonstrated to increase student completion rates and narrow opportunity gaps.

“Advancing Success in Associate Pathways has made an instant impact in the lives of students and in their success at Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·. It’s incredible to see the confidence students have gained and the strides they’ve made toward earning their degree,” said Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ· President Dr. Brian Durant. “We’re thankful to have this program at our campuses in Auburn and Fulton, and to see it making such a difference for our students.”

“Student success drives everything we do at SUNY, and we are committed to meeting students and their families where they are to ensure they thrive,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “SUNY takes pride in scaling ASAP and ACE as proven models for student success across our campuses and we look forward to continuing to invest in the next generation of SUNY graduates at Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ· and across the system.”

Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ· is one of 25 SUNY campuses statewide that opted in to the ASAP|ACE program and as of the fall semester enrolled 140 students to improve retention and graduation rates.

ASAP|ACE provides wraparound support to ensure student academic success, retention, and on-time graduation. An array of resources and supports — including funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation, and other costs of attendance, academic assistance, comprehensive personalized advisement, and career development activities — help Pell-eligible students overcome barriers that can prevent them from achieving their goals and obtaining a degree.

ASAP|ACE expanded to the SUNY system in Spring 2024, supported by an historic demonstration of state-level support championed by Governor Hochul in the $75 million SUNY Transformation Fund and supplemented by private grants. In Fall 2024, SUNY ASAP|ACE will enroll 4,200 students.

Participating students represent a wide range of backgrounds, interests, and experience, but all share a recognition in the importance of higher education and achieving a degree to achieve their personal and professional goals. See here for more information: .

“Congratulations to Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ· on the successful rollout of the ASAP Program. As a former college professor, I know how critical it is for students to get the right support outside the classroom,” said State Senator Rachel May, 48^th District. “The State Senate recognizes the importance of our community colleges in providing opportunities for students to achieve their goals and in filling workforce needs in our community. Best wishes to all the ASAP students!”

“After only two semesters, Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ· has positively impacted over 100 students through the Advancing Success in Associate Pathways Program. I was honored to be asked to celebrate with the leadership of the College and students participating in the program. I wish the program and its participants the best, and I can’t wait to see the places this will lead them to,” said Assemblymember John Lemondes, 126^th District.

“Enabling students to overcome personal, academic, and financial barriers is what the ASAP Program at Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ· is designed for,” said Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ· County Legislature Chair Aileen McNabb-Coleman. “As an alum, educator, and local elected official, providing diverse pathways for success across the educational continuum is essential to career readiness. The workforce of tomorrow has a significant impact on economic development and further promotes Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ· County as a great place to work, live and grow. I’m so proud of these students and Program Director Carmela Barbagallo.”

“I’m very fortunate to be in the ASAP Program at Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·,” said Kati Champagne, a Business Administration major in her first semester. “The support and confidence it’s offered me as I’m studying business and accounting have given me the tools for success. It’s also a safe, comfortable environment to celebrate and connect with other students.”

Since being initially launched at CUNY in 2007, ASAP|ACE have served more than 100,000 CUNY students and the programs have been replicated in seven states. The ASAP|ACE programs have been proven to significantly improve degree completion rates, particularly for underrepresented students. They have since been replicated at more than 20 colleges in seven states across the nation.

To learn more about ASAP at Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·, visit /students/services/asap/  or contact Program Director Carmela Barbagallo at cbarbaga@cayuga-cc.edu.