TC3 participating in expansion of ASAP and ACE programs

Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) recently revealed that students have a new opportunity to receive financial and academic support.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the expansion of SUNY Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE), a nationwide evidence-based retention and completion model.

ASAP and ACE will expand to nine SUNY campuses, including TC3.

ACE pinpoints baccalaureate students, while ASAP targets associate students. Both programs provide “financial resources and wraparound supports to remove barriers to full-time study, help students gain and maintain academic momentum, and create a connected community among students, all in service of increasing timely degree completion,” according to a release.

“New York State is committed to helping our students reach their highest potential, and ASAP/ACE is a proven program to ensure students complete their degree on the path to a great job,” Gov. Hochul said in the release. “ASAP/ACE has already assisted thousands of New Yorkers in their higher education journey, and I am proud that more students will benefit from its expansion.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King noted that SUNY is committed to the success of each student, noting that ASAP/ACE is a “proven, evidence-based strategy to improve retention and completion.”

“I am thrilled that through Gov. Hochul’s leadership and the support of the legislature, SUNY is expanding this vital program to even more students and campuses across the SUNY system,” King added.

According to preliminary data of the programs’ outcomes, ASAP/ACE partner campuses demonstrate that participating students have higher credit completion and persistence rates as opposed to students not involved with these programs.

ASAP students looking to acquire an associate degree have a higher credit completion rate than non-ASAP students, at 73% versus 60%.

For ASAP students who have a higher spring-to-fall persistence rate, the percentage is 80%, compared to 72% for non-ASAP students.

“I’m proud to see Tompkins Cortland Community College included in the expansion of the SUNY ASAP program,” said New York State Senator Lea Webb, whose district includes TC3. “This investment reflects our shared commitment to breaking down barriers to higher education and ensuring that all students have the support they need to complete their degrees and succeed. With proven outcomes and a student-centered approach, ASAP is a smart, equity-driven model that will benefit countless families across Senate District 52 and New York State.”

Eligible TC3 students can receive a cost of attendance award, following the financial aid application process, along with assistance with transportation and textbooks.

More information on the program, go to tompkinscortland.edu/asap.

“SUNY ASAP and ACE are transforming educational outcomes for students who’ve long been underserved, not by potential, but by policy,” said State Assemblymember Anna R. Kelles, who represents Tompkins and Cortland Counties. “With targeted support for transportation, textbooks, and advising, these programs remove the barriers that too often end college careers before they begin or prevent successful completion for those who start the educational journey. Backed by rigorous data and a statewide commitment, this $12 million expansion will help thousands more students, especially those from low-income and rural communities, stay enrolled, graduate on time and step into the workforce with a degree in hand. This is what equity in action looks like and, at a time when higher education is under attack, I’m proud that New York is standing up and investing in expanding expertise in our workforce.”

In brief:

Lineup for ‘Music in the Hollow’ 

The Town of Dryden Recreation Department recently revealed the lineup for this year’s Music in the Hollow series.

Each of the shows are free of charge and begin at 6 p.m. at the Ellis Hollow Community Center at 111 Genung Rd.

The lineup is as follows: 

July 8: The Notorious String Busters

July 15: Ariel Arbisser

July 22: Bob Keefe & The Surf Renegades

July 29: Terrapin Station

Aug. 5: The Makers

Aug. 12: SingTrece & Stone Cold Miracle

Aug. 19: SCUBA Jerry

Aug. 26: Joe Crookston & The Ellis Hollow All-Stars

Shows for ‘Music on the Hill’ 

The Music on the Hill series will be held every week in July at the Dryden Veterans Memorial Home at 2272 Dryden Rd.

Each show will begin at 6 p.m., and food and beverages will be available.

The series lineup is as follows:

July 9: Tailor Made

July 16: Ghost Train

July 23: Sydney Irving

July 30: Crystal Vision

Books & Brew club participating in ‘Color Our World’ challenge

The Books & Brew club of Southworth Library is participating in the “Color Our World” summer reading challenge.

Club participants are asked to pick a color on the rainbow and choose a book from that color’s genre. The list of colors is as follows:

• Red: Mystery
• Orange: Nonfiction
• Yellow: Wild
• Green: Short Story
• Blue: Historical Fiction
• Indigo: Romance or Suspense
• Violet: A book recommended by a friend

The club will meet at Hopshire Farm & Brewery, located at 1771 Dryden Rd. in the village of Freeville, on July 17 and Aug. 21. Both meetings will start at 6 p.m.