State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees today announced further investments in SUNY students, faculty, staff, and research at a time of higher education cuts across the nation. SUNY is moving forward on all four pillars that drive the efforts of the system, and its 64 colleges and universities. Chancellor King announced new initiatives to expand programs to help students succeed, while creating new paths forward to bolster research, attract and retain diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels, and grow SUNY’s role as an economic driver for the state and our students.
At the Lewis A. Swyer Theatre at The Egg in Albany, Chancellor King delivered his third State of the University Address to an audience including the SUNY Board of Trustees, government officials, distinguished guests, and the SUNY community of students, faculty, staff, campus leadership, and employer partners.
“New York is leading the nation in providing our students with access to quality, affordable higher education through our world-class SUNY system,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “My administration has provided historic funding for our public universities because we understand that an investment in SUNY is an investment in the New York workforce. I applaud Chancellor King and the SUNY Board of Trustees for utilizing every resource at their disposal to increase enrollment and support students pursuing degrees in high-demand fields.”
“At SUNY, we are pressing forward, guided by our values, delivering for our students, our communities, and our state,” SUNY Chancellor King said. “I am filled with optimism that’s grounded in our progress, our results, and our strength—that not only can we meet this moment—we already are.”
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “SUNY has made great strides over the past few years under the leadership of Chancellor King, and has worked to improve academic excellence, invest in student success, workforce development, and research innovation, and foster more civil and welcoming campus communities. Our university system helps cultivate campus environments where diversity is valued, equity is promoted, and inclusivity is essential. Through investing in our students, advancing our programs, and upholding our values, SUNY will continue to serve as a national, and international, example of excellence in public higher education.”
In the 2025 State of the University Address, Chancellor King outlined the challenges being faced by New York State, the nation, and the entire global community, but also unveiled a vision for how SUNY can be a leader in addressing those issues. The Chancellor highlighted a series of initiatives that will be advanced by SUNY to help empower students, invest in communities, and move New York State forward. New or expanded initiatives highlighted in this year’s State of the University include:
- Building on the power of Governor Hochul’s Empire AI research center for the public good by connecting SUNY’s university centers with regional comprehensive colleges and community colleges to expand ethical AI education and workforce development.
- Continuing to deliver on SUNY’s goal that every undergraduate student will participate in an internship or other quality experiential learning opportunity before they graduate, starting with closing the internship gap for SUNY’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students.
- Implementing Governor Hochul’s Enacted Budget investment in the ASAP|ACE college completion initiatives to reach 7,000 students this fall, up from 4,200, on the path to10,000 students in two years.
- Promoting the Governor’s free community college program through SUNY Reconnect and helping community colleges with funding to cover equipment and other one-time needs to handle the anticipated increase in enrollment in high-demand, high-cost programs.
Full Transcript, Policy Book, Video, and Photos Available Here
Facebook Comments