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

Jefferson Community College President Dr. Daniel J. Dupee, II, today 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. These transformative models have been widely demonstrated to increase student completion rates and narrow opportunity gaps, including the ASAP program at Jefferson. 

“Jefferson Community College is proud to be part of the transformative ASAP program, which has already made a significant impact on our students’ academic success and well-being,” said Dr. Daniel J. Dupee, II, President. “At Jefferson, our mission to educate, inspire, and empower is at the forefront of everything we do. Governor Hochul’s commitment to sustaining and expanding ASAP|ACE statewide ensures that more students will have access to the critical resources and support they need to overcome challenges, achieve success, and build brighter futures.”

ASAP (for students pursuing an associate degree) and ACE (for students in a Bachelor’s degree program) 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 155 students at Jefferson. 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 the launch of ASAP at Jefferson, students have experienced immediate and tangible benefits. These programs have positively impacted academic momentum, resulting in higher credit-completion and retention rates as well as increased student engagement. Furthermore, Jefferson’s ASAP program provides more than just financial support, it offers students connections and resources to help overcome emotional and logistical barriers. Omara Youngs of Gouverneur, a JCC healthcare management major and mother of five who works full-time and primarily attends college online, says, “With the monetary support they’ve given me, I’ve put back into my household which has helped tremendously but having someone there to talk to means the most to me and my ASAP advisor is incredibly supportive.” Youngs highlighted a challenge with an on-campus course that complicated her schedule. “There was an issue with the course availability, and thanks to my ASAP advisor who stepped in and did the research, she found a solution that worked for me that kept me moving forward,” she explained.

“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% higher than similar non-participants, and ACE students saw 9% 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. 

Zell I. Bolton of Adams, a JCC humanities and social sciences major who works full-time says, "Having an ASAP advisor has been such a great help. I appreciate how they check up on me and reach out. The requirements that come with being in the ASAP program have motivated me to stay on track, and they've made the enrollment and registration process so easy." Bolton anticipates graduating with her associate’s degree this summer.   

For more information about Jefferson’s ASAP program.