Jefferson Awarded $20,000 Through SUNY High Needs Nursing Fund

Jefferson Community College (JCC) has been awarded $20,000 for the 2025–2026 academic year through the State University of New York’s High Needs Nursing Fund, part of a statewide initiative led by John B. King Jr. to expand and modernize nursing simulation experiences across SUNY campuses.

Jefferson is among 30 SUNY institutions sharing this year’s $746,500 investment, which supports nursing faculty training and the purchase of high-fidelity simulation equipment essential to preparing future nurses. The funding advances Governor Kathy Hochul’s goal of increasing New York State’s healthcare workforce by 20 percent and strengthens SUNY’s ongoing efforts to expand nursing and allied health training pathways.

The investment enhances Jefferson’s Nursing Program with the purchase of additional IV pumps, a SimPad controller for simulators, and supportive equipment for medication dispensing carts. These upgrades further strengthen the college’s state-of-the-art nursing simulation laboratories and provide students with expanded hands-on, real-world clinical training experiences.

“We are grateful for SUNY’s continued investment in high-quality nursing education,” said Daniel J. Dupee, II, President. “This funding allows us to further enhance our simulation capabilities and ensure our students graduate with the confidence, technical skill, and clinical judgment needed to serve patients and communities across New York State.”

Kady Hoistion, Director of Nursing at Jefferson, emphasized the impact on student learning. “Simulation is a cornerstone of modern nursing education,” she said. “By expanding our equipment and technology, we are creating more immersive, realistic clinical scenarios that strengthen critical thinking, teamwork, and patient safety skills before our students ever step into a healthcare setting.”

Jefferson’s Nursing Program is ranked No. 2 in New York State by Nursing School Almanac. The program features advanced simulation laboratories equipped with 11 lifelike, responsive mannequins, advanced clinical technology, a birthing mother simulator, and a fully equipped birthing suite.

Additionally, JCC’s Nursing Program is also an approved SUNY Reconnect program, providing tuition-free education to eligible students ages 25 to 55, further aligning the college with statewide efforts to address critical healthcare workforce shortages.

Jefferson Community College will hold a Nursing Program information session on March 11, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Prospective students may attend either in person or virtually, with selection made at the time of registration.