SUNY Chancellor King Visits Herkimer County Community College to Highlight SUNY Reconnect Program

Herkimer, NY — State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today visited Herkimer 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 a high-demand field.  

“Herkimer County Community College is a vital part of efforts to ensure New Yorkers throughout the region have access to an affordable, excellent public higher education that prepares them for the future,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “We are proud to further expand access to life-changing opportunities thanks to Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program which empowers adult learners to pursue high-demand courses for free. Through the SUNY Reconnect program and our continued investment in community colleges, we are helping to ensure that New Yorkers throughout the state are able to unleash their full potential and achieve upward mobility for themselves and their families.”  

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “SUNY Reconnect program has been a tremendous success for adult learners seeking educational opportunities in every corner of the state. We are proud to work with Governor Hochul on this initiative and look forward to seeing the potential expansion of this program. Herkimer County Community College is an essential institution for the entire region, and we are proud to help this campus and the families who rely on it for an affordable, world-class education and job training.”   

During his visit, Chancellor King highlighted Herkimer’s Cybersecurity/Digital Forensics and Health Professions programs, which are eligible for SUNY Reconnect and attract adults looking to return to college to advance their careers in high-demand fields. 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 SUNY Reconnect degree programs available at Herkimer County Community College and apply for the Spring 2026 semester, visit https://www.herkimer.edu/freecc/. 

Herkimer County Community College President Terri Grates Day said, “We were honored to welcome Chancellor King to HCCC and to showcase how SUNY Reconnect is opening doors for adult learners across our region. Our programs are creating real pathways to high-demand careers, and SUNY Reconnect removes the financial barriers that often prevent adults from returning to college. This initiative is truly life-changing for our students, their families, and the communities we serve.” 

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Free community college is part of Governor Hochul’s continued strategic effort to make New York State an affordable place to live and work. Eligible adults looking to strengthen skills or change jobs can now get an associate’s degree in a high-demand field, such as cybersecurity or engineering science, which ensures a workforce ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow.” 

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Acting President Doris B. González said, “Through Chancellor King’s unwavering commitment to spreading awareness, more New Yorkers are discovering the life-changing opportunities the SUNY Reconnect initiative provides. Programs like those at Herkimer County Community College in Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, and Health Professions are equipping students with the skills needed to succeed, while SUNY Reconnect ensures they can achieve their goals without the burden of debt – strengthening families, communities, and the future of our state.” 

New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person said, “At Herkimer County Community College, programs in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and healthcare show what’s possible when we remove financial barriers to public higher education. SUNY Reconnect is about opening doors for adult learners and connecting New Yorkers to exciting, in-demand careers. We’re excited the state is proposing to expand SUNY and CUNY Reconnect so even more New Yorkers can access an affordable path to opportunity.” 

State Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon said, “Our community colleges provide outstanding opportunities for a diverse group of prospective learners. I would like to thank Chancellor King for his visit today, and the Herkimer College leadership, faculty, and staff for highlighting programs of study that will enhance New York’s workforce.”  

State Assemblymember Robert Smullen said, “Thank you to Chancellor Dr. John B. King Jr. for hosting a tour of Herkimer County Community College to show firsthand how the SUNY Reconnect program is making a real difference for adult learners in our rural communities. As a strong supporter of workforce development and educational opportunities, helping eligible New Yorkers pursue associate degrees in high-demand fields is important to return resources to our rural communities. Programs like these help our local residents upskill, advance their careers, and strengthen our regional economy which is incredibly important in upstate areas like Herkimer County. I encourage any qualifying adult who is ready to return to college to explore these opportunities.” 

To support the launch 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. Herkimer County Community College has used its allocation of $100,000 for a full-time staff member to provide advisement and outreach and part-time staff for targeted enrollment efforts. 

·         Provided an additional $1 million to cover equipment, materials, supplies, and other one-time needs to increase student enrollment, through which Herkimer is using their portion to provide Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics students the technology needed to gain real-world experience using industry-standard tools, Physical Therapy students advanced gait analysis technology, and Health Professions students funds to support the maintenance of critical laboratory equipment to ensure safe, high-quality instruction. 

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. 

Since the May 2025 launch of Governor Kathy Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program for adult learners in New York State, Chancellor King visited SUNY community colleges to promote the program as part of the SUNY Reconnect tour. The tour, which kicked off in June 2025 at Dutchess Community College, has included visits to Tompkins Cortland Community College, SUNY Schenectady, Jefferson Community College, Suffolk County Community College, SUNY Niagara, SUNY Erie Community College, Jamestown Community College, Monroe Community College, SUNY Broome, SUNY Adirondack, Rockland Community College, Ulster Community College, Westchester Community College, Columbia-Greene Community College, and Clinton Community College.