Cayuga Applauds Gov. Hochul for Critical Support for Student Success in 2025 State of the State Agenda

Cayuga Community College President Dr. Brian Durant 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.

The ASAP|ACE programs are transformative models that have been widely demonstrated to increase student completion rates and narrow opportunity gaps, including at Cayuga since ASAP welcomed its first cohort of students at the College in the Spring 2024 semester.

“Through the hard work of our students, and the tireless dedication of our staff and faculty, the ASAP program has been a resounding success at Cayuga. The academic, financial and personal support provided through ASAP not only helps our promising students achieve in the classroom, but also prepares them for a lifetime of success,” said Dr. Durant. “We greatly appreciate Governor Hochul’s continued support for ASAP and her pledge to sustain and expand this important SUNY program.”

ASAP (for students pursuing an associate degree) and ACE (for students in bachelor’s degree programs) 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 140 students enrolled at the start of the 2024-25 academic year at Cayuga.

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 ASAP on campus, Cayuga 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 percent higher than similar non-participants, and ACE students saw 9 percent 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.

Cayuga ASAP student Mary Trapasso-Ayers said she was grateful for the program, and thanked Cayuga ASAP Director Carmela Barbagallo and ASAP Coach Jayna Betancourt for encouraging her to enroll.

“I’m so glad Carmela and Jayna encouraged me to apply for and enroll in ASAP. The program provides tremendous support and assistance, and has made my decision to return to school at 63 years of age far less daunting and an incredible experience. Having them in my corner has been invaluable,” said Trapasso-Ayers.

For more information on ASAP and ACE programs statewide, visit www.suny.edu/asap-ace.