SUNY Cobleskill Announces Launch of Highly Successful Student Retention, Graduation Support Program ASAPACE

COBLESKILL – SUNY Cobleskill leaders today announced the launch of Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE), providing an initial cohort of 150 students with important resources to help them gain and maintain academic momentum toward timely graduation in either a two- or four-year degree program.

The Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) supports students pursuing associate degrees, while Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) supports baccalaureate students. Eligible students have access to a wide array of resources and support to help them overcome barriers that can prevent them from obtaining a degree. This includes funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation, and other costs of attendance, as well as comprehensive personalized advisement, academic support, and career development activities. See here for more information: https://www.suny.edu/asap-ace/.

Dr. Marion Terenzio, President of SUNY Cobleskill, said, “ASAP|ACE is more than a support system, it is a strategic accelerator. Through dedicated advising, career development, textbook stipends, and cost-of-attendance awards, the programs empower our students to graduate on time, thrive in their chosen fields, and contribute meaningfully to the communities they call home. It aligns seamlessly with our strategic plan by streamlining student progression to graduation, strengthening our impact across the Mohawk Valley and beyond. This program reflects our belief that education is not just a personal journey, but a public good, and we are building a future together one graduate, one story, one legacy at a time."

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY is committed to the success of every student, and our expansion of the proven ASAP and ACE programs across our system ensures our students are on track to complete their degree on time and pursue their aspirations. I applaud Governor Hochul and state leaders for their continued support of SUNY, and I thank the SUNY Cobleskill administration, faculty, and staff for their unwavering commitment to student success.”

 In the 2025-26 State Budget, Governor Hochul and state leaders allocated $12 million for SUNY to expand this initiative, which will help SUNY Cobleskill to support more students as they pursue a degree to help them unleash their full potential. The significant investment by Governor Hochul and state leaders will help grow ASAP|ACE enrollment statewide to an anticipated 7,000 students this year, on track to enrolling 10,000 students for Fall 2026.

Dr. Darcy Medica, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Cobleskill, said, "ASAP|ACE is fully integrated into our academic fabric. Students take the same rigorous courses and meet the same high standards as all our students, but with enhanced support structures that remove financial and navigational barriers to success. By strengthening our mission of applied learning and workforce readiness through data-driven support structures, this program ensures that ambition and potential to learn, not financial stress, determines student outcomes at SUNY Cobleskill."

 Jihnay Lewis-Williams, Director of ASAP|ACE at SUNY Cobleskill, said, "I am always impressed with how our students meet their challenges head-on, balancing work or family responsibilities while adjusting to college life. They speak up for themselves and are honest about what they need. Even just a month into the program, I see them becoming campus leaders, joining clubs, and creating networks among themselves that add value to their experience here and set them up for success. Our students are thriving, and this is just the beginning of what will be a positive and transformative college experience for them.”

Rebecca Stanton-Terk, Mayor of Village of Cobleskill, said, "SUNY Cobleskill's success and our community's success are intertwined. Every graduate represents opportunity and future leadership for our region, and every young person deserves a fair shot at success, regardless of their economic background. Programs like ASAP|ACE, through its support of students, creates a ripple effect, inspiring others and showing younger students what is possible. This is how we continue to build a culture that values education and civic engagement. I thank SUNY, SUNY Cobleskill, and the students who choose to learn here for helping us build a stronger community."

To learn more about ASAP|ACE at SUNY Cobleskill, visit www.cobleskill.edu.