MCC Daily Tribune

Chancellor King Visits Monroe Community College as Part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour

Governor Hochul's SUNY Reconnect Provides Free Community College Tuition, Fees, Books, and Supplies for Eligible Adult Learners in High-Demand Fields

Visit Highlights Monroe Community College’s Optical Systems Technology Program

Rochester, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited Monroe Community College on Thursday as part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour. Chancellor King has been visiting SUNY community colleges throughout the state to promote New York's free community college program for adult learners, which officially begins with the start of the Fall 2025 semester. Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect initiative, New York State will provide free tuition, fees, books, and supplies for adults ages 25-55 who don't already have a college degree, to pursue an associate degree in a high-demand field.

During his visit, Chancellor King emphasized Monroe Community College’s Optical Systems Technology, which is an eligible associate degree program under the free community college initiative. MCC is the nation’s only community college awarding associate degrees in precision optics. Optics classes are offered both day and evening. To learn more about the SUNY Reconnect degree programs available at Monroe Community College, visit SUNY Reconnect website.

“SUNY campuses like Monroe Community College are engines of upward mobility that can help transform lives and uplift entire communities and regions of New York State,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “Thanks to Governor Hochul and her innovative SUNY Reconnect program, adult learners will have the opportunity to earn degrees in high-demand fields without having to worry about tuition or related costs holding them back. As students return to classrooms throughout the state, SUNY will be there to support these New Yorkers and help them achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.”

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “We thank Governor Hochul and state leaders for making the SUNY Reconnect program possible and for empowering adult learners to reach their full potential. We will continue our efforts to help ensure SUNY community colleges are equipped to provide the world-class education that New Yorkers deserve, and we are grateful to have strong supporters like Governor Hochul and state leaders.”

Monroe Community College President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna said, “Monroe Community College is thrilled to participate in SUNY Reconnect, which provides another way to unlock opportunity for adult learners and aligns with our mission of transforming lives and communities through affordable and innovative programs. Our Optical Systems Technology Program, which is part of SUNY Reconnect, is an example of how MCC continues to take an active role in spurring economic growth in the region by addressing the need for providing highly-skilled professionals in high-demand fields.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Free community college for adult learners prepares New Yorkers to work in areas that benefit local communities, including construction, dental hygiene, and mental health. I thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing this initiative that creates opportunity for New Yorkers and builds stronger career pathways across the state." 

New York State Higher Education Services Corporation President Dr. Guillermo Linares said, “The SUNY Reconnect program is a game changer for New Yorkers seeking to improve their lives through education. By making college affordable and accessible to adult learners, Governor Hochul is not only expanding opportunities to higher education but also building a skilled and educated workforce in high-need areas. At HESC, we are proud to support Chancellor King’s efforts to spread awareness about this critical program and remain committed to ensuring that adult learners across the state know about the resources available to help them achieve their educational and career goals.”

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "New York State is preparing today's students and workers for the high-demand careers of tomorrow, and programs supported through SUNY Reconnect are essential to that effort. By investing in education of adult learners, we're helping ensure that more New Yorkers are ready to lead and thrive in the growing clean energy economy."

NYSUT President Melinda Person said, “SUNY Reconnect is crucial in our mission to make higher education available to everyone. It allows thousands of New Yorkers the ability to return to school by removing financial roadblocks, will strengthen communities in Rochester and across our state and open the door to new careers in high-demand fields.”

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “As the son of a former MCC professor, I’ve seen firsthand what a community college education can do to build future success. Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect Initiative is making this success more accessible than ever, and it’s a pleasure to welcome Chancellor King to MCC as we prepare New Yorkers for the future of high-quality education in New York.”

State Assemblymember Sarah Clark said, “I’m thrilled to welcome Chancellor King to Monroe Community College as part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour. New York State’s investment in adult learners through free tuition, books, and supplies will open doors to life-changing opportunities while strengthening our workforce in high-demand fields. Programs like MCC’s Optical Systems Technology not only provide students with the skills they need to thrive but also ensure that our region remains at the forefront of innovation and economic growth. Thank you to Governor Hochul and Chancellor King for your commitment to accessible and affordable education for more New Yorkers and investing in the success of our families.”

State Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, “Access to higher education should never be out of reach because of cost. The SUNY Reconnect program opens the door for thousands of adult learners to pursue their goals and build stronger futures for themselves and their families. I’m especially proud to see Monroe Community College leading the way with programs in areas like optics, engineering technology, nursing, and advanced manufacturing. Thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul and the funding secured in this year’s budget, MCC is able to expand these opportunities and provide the resources, equipment, and support services that adult learners need to succeed. These investments will not only transform lives of adults in these programs but also strengthen our local workforce and economy.”

SUNY Reconnect will fund degrees in high-demand fields including:

Advanced Manufacturing
Artificial Intelligence
Cybersecurity
Engineering
Technology
Nursing and Allied Health Fields
Green and Renewable Energy
Pathways to Teaching in Shortage Areas

To support the launch of SUNY Reconnect, SUNY has:

Allocated $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. Monroe Community College is using their allocation to hire two Admissions Specialists to provide targeted and personalized outreach and support to adult students and help them navigate the enrollment process; and hire two Success Coaches to give adult learners consistent, proactive support to help them stay on track, access vital resources, and complete their degree program.
Provided an additional $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. Monroe Community College is investing $35,000 to help prepare adult learners for successful entry into Engineering Technology courses by providing math readiness toolkits, and purchasing laboratory supplies such as visual learning aids, robotics simulation kits, and applied math materials for integration in the engineering coursework. This investment will also include faculty training on embedding math support strategies and inclusive teaching for engineering technology.
Announced $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. Monroe Community College is marketing to and recruiting specific adult learner populations; expanding use of credit for prior learning; increasing availability of academic offerings and non-academic support in-person on weekends/evenings; and creating a sense of belonging for adult learners.

In addition to SUNY Reconnect, the FY25-26 Enacted State Budget provides $8 million in increased operating aid to community colleges – the first back-to-back operating aid increases in decades for these institutions – and maintains the 100 percent community college funding floor, which protects community colleges from $75 million in lost direct state tax support.

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit SUNY's website.

Veronica Chiesi Brown
Community Relations
09/05/2025