SUNY chancellor visits Tompkins Cortland Community College farm

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. recently visited the farm at Tompkins Cortland Community College as part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour.

King has been visiting SUNY community colleges throughout New York State to promote a free program for adult learners. The community college program will begin this fall.

The SUNY Reconnect Initiative, anchored by Gov. Kathy Hochul, will provide free tuition, fees, books and supplies for adults 25-to-55 who don’t have a college degree and to pursue an associate’s degree in a high-demand field.

King’s visit highlighted TC3’s sustainable farming and food system program, which is one of the 12 eligible degree programs at TC3 through SUNY Reconnect.

TC3’s sustainable farming and food system program outlines how to “manage a farm for a sustainable future,” according to a description.

“Learn crop management, seed starting, season extension, post-harvest handling and more,” noted in the description.

Other eligible programs at TC3 through SUNY Reconnect are construction and environmental technology, environmental studies, chemical dependency counseling, computer information systems, computer science, computer support specialist, engineering science, nursing, teacher education transfer (adolescence), teacher education transfer (childhood) and teacher education transfer (early childhood).

“Chancellor King’s visit to TC3 highlights the significance of this historic initiative that addresses financial barriers to higher education, and we are delighted to welcome him to our campus,” TC3 president Amy Kremenek said. “We have received tremendous interest in the SUNY Reconnect program since its approval as part of the New York State budget, with adults who previously thought college was out of reach now registering for classes and working on degrees to enhance their career prospects and potential lifetime earnings. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Governor Hochul, Chancellor King, and the NYS Legislature for SUNY Reconnect and we’re excited for the many opportunities available to our students and the positive impact on families, our community, and our state.”

The SUNY Reconnect program will customize schedules for TC3’s adult students and utilize online and hybrid options for students that need to work while attending classes, which “supports adult learner success,” according to a description.

“Students also have access to dedicated advising and personal support specifically for adult learners, including an on-campus childcare center and adult networking events,” the description continued.

“Community colleges like Tompkins Cortland provide life-changing upward mobility every day for New Yorkers,” King said. “I am confident that with Governor Hochul’s free community college program for adult learners, even more New Yorkers will open new doors to academic and professional opportunities they’ve always dreamed of. By supporting the SUNY Reconnect program and empowering New Yorkers throughout the Finger Lakes Region and Central New York to apply for free community college at Tompkins Cortland, Governor Hochul and state leaders have made a forward-looking investment in the long-term success of this region and our entire state. SUNY schools throughout the state, including Tompkins Cortland Community College, are ready for the influx of students through SUNY Reconnect, and we encourage all eligible New Yorkers to consider how this initiative can help them and their families.”

The degrees that SUNY Reconnect will fund include advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, engineering, technology, nursing and allied health fields, green and renewable energy, and pathways to teaching in shortage areas.

SUNY also announced various funding streams to help launch its reconnect program, including:

• $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.
• $1 million to cover equipment, materials, supplies, and other one-time needs to increase student enrollment capacity in high-demand programs that are part of SUNY Reconnect.
• $1.1 million in grant funding for the SUNY Adult Learner Leadership Initiative to help community colleges increase access and ensure degree completion for adult learners.
• Via the 2025-26 state budget, $8 million has been provided in increased operating aid to community colleges. It maintains the full community college funding floor, which protects community college from a $75 million lost direct state tax support system.

“Community colleges play a pivotal role in supporting community members’ pathways to career success and economic advancement,” State senator Lea Webb said. “As a member of the Senate Higher Education Committee and SUNY Alum, I couldn’t be more proud to support the SUNY Reconnect initiative. Free community college for adults is transformational. This program for Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) means more working adults will have the opportunity to earn a degree in high-demand fields like sustainable farming, right here in our backyard. SUNY Reconnect will open doors for families, strengthen our workforce and help ensure that no one is left behind simply because they couldn’t afford tuition. This initiative is an investment in people, in local communities, and the future of New York State. Thank you to Chancellor King for supporting this program and visiting TC3 on his SUNY tour.”