Governor’s Support for SUNY ASAP|ACE Programs Will Empower Students with Financial, Academic & Other Support to Boost Graduation Rates, Close Opportunity Gaps
SUNY Chancellor Dr. John B. King Jr. and SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith led a roundtable discussion about College's ACE Initiative along with students, faculty, staff and elected officials.
SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith today applauded Gov. Kathy Hochul for pledging in her 2025 State of the State agenda to deliver ongoing state funding to sustain and expand the proven Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) programs, transformative models that have been widely demonstrated to increase student completion rates and narrow opportunity gaps, including at Potsdam.
“SUNY Potsdam is dedicated to leading the way in student engagement and support, ensuring that every student can overcome challenges from the very beginning. Our ACE program is already demonstrating its effectiveness in helping students start strong and finish strong, enabling them to achieve their personal and professional aspirations with reduced financial burden," said SUNY Potsdam President Smith. “We are grateful to Governor Hochul for recognizing this record of success, and will continue to share the importance of these programs with our legislative leaders to keep the momentum going.”
ASAP (for students pursuing an associate degree) and ACE (for students in Bachelor’s degree program) expanded to the SUNY system in Spring 2024 through the SUNY Transformation Fund. As of Fall 2024, more than 4,200 students now participate in ASAP|ACE across 25 SUNY campuses, including 150 at SUNY Potsdam.
Governor Hochul’s 2025 State of the State agenda will make it possible to sustain ASAP|ACE and expand it statewide to reach 10,000 SUNY students.
Since launching ACE on campus, SUNY Potsdam students have felt immediate tangible benefits, with positive impacts on academic momentum, including higher credit-completion and retention rates and high levels of student engagement.
“SUNY is committed to success for every student, and ASAP|ACE programs are the nation’s leading, evidence-based model for helping students stay on track to graduation,” SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said. “We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her commitment to ASAP|ACE in the 2025 State of the State agenda and look forward to working with the governor and our champions in the legislature to continue to scale this proven investment in student success.”
ASAP|ACE programs provide wraparound support to ensure student academic success, retention, and on-time graduation. An array of resources and supports — including academic assistance, personalized advisement, career development activities, and funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation, and other costs of attendance — help Pell-eligible students overcome barriers that can prevent them from achieving their goals and obtaining a degree.
Across SUNY, ASAP students’ credit completion rates for the Spring 2024 semester were 20% higher than similar non-participants, and ACE students saw 9% higher credit completion rates compared to similar non-ACE students. ASAP|ACE-student retention rates from spring to fall 2024 also outpaced those of non-participants.
“I doubt I would’ve even completed my first semester if ACE hadn't helped me in the beginning and then continually as classes progressed. I also know for a fact that I’m not the only one who thinks that. I don’t know how to show my appreciation, all I can say is thank you,” said SUNY Potsdam biology major Tommy Betz ’28.
“ACE has provided me with so much support and has made my transition from community college to SUNY Potsdam so much easier. I'm so happy to be a part of the ACE program,” said SUNY Potsdam biochemistry major Destinee Baxter ’26.
To learn more about the ACE Initiative at SUNY Potsdam, visit www.potsdam.edu/ace.
For more information on ASAP and ACE programs statewide, visit www.suny.edu/asap-ace.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.