Students Share How SUNY's ASAP Program Has Been Instrumental To Their Success
The College recently joined with SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., SUNY Board of Trustees Chair Merryl H. Tisch, the University at Albany, Hudson Valley Community College, and Columbia-Greene Community College to celebrate students who are in SUNY's Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) Program. ASAP removes financial barriers to full-time study, provides structured pathways to help students gain and maintain academic momentum, and creates connected communities through integrated support and engagement activities.
Through an additional $8 million allocated in the 2026-27 Enacted State Budget, ASAP (for students pursuing associate degrees) and Advancing Completion Through Engagement (ACE) (for students pursuing bachelor's degrees) have expanded to serve 10,000 students at 44 SUNY campuses.
Meet Students in ASAP
James Harris is earning his degree in Teacher Education. He is already putting his passion for education into practice by working in the Learning Center as a Tutor, where he helps other students succeed academically. He is also in Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and participates in the TRIO Program.
“ASAP has been an essential part of my academic journey. The personalized academic advising, regular check-ins, community, and financial support have all worked in tandem to allow me to continue and succeed in my studies. My ASAP advisors have helped me through both academic and personal challenges while obtaining my associate degree.”
James plans to graduate in May 2027 and continue on for his bachelor’s degree in Childhood and Special Education. His career goal is to become a Special Education Teacher.
Chloe Connors is earning her degree in Culinary Arts. She has been a participant in ASAP since her first semester (Fall 2025). Chloe has found a support system with ASAP in several different ways.
She shared, “ASAP has meant everything to me. It’s what has allowed me to continue for a second year at SUNY Schenectady, in terms of the financial support, emotional support, and having genuine people who act as a team to get me where I need to be. It’s great having my advisor to help me figure things out so that I can attend classes without being so stressed. Anytime I need a safe space to decompress, I go up to the ASAP room.”
Chloe plans to graduate in December 2027 and pursue her bachelor’s degree, shifting her focus to science or entomology.
Matthew Perez is earning his degree in Computer Networking Systems and Cybersecurity. He has been a participant in ASAP since his first semester (Fall 2025) and has found a strong foundation in ASAP both with other students and ASAP staff.
He shared, “Being able to make new friends through ASAP has been amazing. I have met a lot of like-minded people who are focusing on their academics and I’ve gained a lot of new experiences. ASAP Academic Advisor Maura Davis has helped me with my course schedule and she helped me when I was struggling to figure out planning my daily schedule with homework and tests and everything. Last February, I had heart surgery and I came back to school two weeks later. ASAP really helped me get back on my feet academically.”
A father of two young children, Matthew plans to graduate in May 2027 and hopes to work for New York State and earn his bachelor’s degree.
ASAP Facts:
- Students benefit from individualized advising, financial assistance, and the consistent support they need to remain enrolled and graduate on time.
- SUNY Schenectady was one of the first SUNY community colleges to pilot and implement an ASAP Program, launching in Spring 2024.
- SUNY Schenectady Spring 2024: 52 students in our ASAP Program
Fall 2026: Grew to 300 students in ASAP
- SUNY Schenectady second-semester retention has increased from 76% to 88% over the past two and a half years.
- SUNY Schenectady has exceeded the SUNY ASAP average for retention in three of its four cohorts.
- 81% of eligible continuing SUNY Schenectady ASAP students returned for Fall 2026.
ASAP video: Students describe the impact ASAP has had on them.
Casola Dining Room, Pane e Dolci, and Boucherie Open For The Semester
The Toby Strianese Culinary Arts Wing was filled with the aromas of delicious Autumn Harvest cuisine and mouth-watering bakery items including cinnamon rolls and tarts on Sept. 22 as excited Casola Dining Room guests and visitors to Pane e Dolci and the Boucherie enjoyed the first tastes of the semester offered by the School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism (HCAT).
The Casola Dining Room features a different delicious menu each week. Dinner is served Wednesday at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Lunch is served Tuesday and Thursday at 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. Reservations are mandatory and can be made via OpenTable two weeks in advance of the date starting at 9 a.m.
Pane e Dolci features a fabulous selection of breads, muffins, cakes, tarts, Danish pastries, cookies and candies. It is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Boucherie is an artisanal charcuterie, salumeria, and specialty market with a wide range of hand-crafted products made in-house by Garde Manger students who produce a variety of charcuterie, air-dried hams, pickled vegetables, and a large selection of fresh sausage. It is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Dr. Syeda Munaim Participates In Prestigious Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center Workshop
Dr. Syeda Munaim, Professor in the Division of Math, Science, Technology and Health, was selected and invited, along with scientists and educators from across the United States and abroad, to participate in a prestigious Summer of Nanopore DNA Sequencing Workshop held at Hudson Valley Community College this past spring. Dr. Munaim is already sharing the knowledge and skills gained through this workshop with students in her classes and plans to do the same in the College’s Biotechnology degree program. The workshop was one of several professional development programs designed for high school and college educators and presented by scientists from the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center, internationally recognized as one of the world's leading centers for biological research and education. These programs provide faculty with training in the use of portable Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing devices and the DNA Subway 2.0 bioinformatics platform, enabling affordable classroom applications in genomics, DNA barcoding, and small genome analysis.
Dr. Munaim shared, “While I have extensive experience in DNA technology through my doctoral and postdoctoral research, this conference provided an outstanding opportunity to learn emerging techniques through focused, hands-on training. Led by an expert from the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center, the workshop was both practical and impactful. The knowledge gained has no doubt enhanced my teaching at SUNY Schenectady, and I strongly believe similar professional development opportunities for my colleagues would greatly benefit our biotechnology program and students, and related programs.“
Through intensive hands-on training over three days, participants learned cutting-edge DNA sequencing and bioinformatics techniques that can be incorporated into biotechnology curricula as well as a wide range of STEM courses. Dr. Munaim is and will be sharing what she learned and providing students with exposure to modern genomic technologies that are increasingly used in research, healthcare, agriculture, and industry.
Business Students Gain Practical Advice During Speed Networking
Students in Professor Matt Farron’s Business of the Capital Region class had the opportunity to meet with local employers, College Deans, and faculty during Speed Networking organized by Career and Transfer Services on Sept. 24. Students moved from table to table for practice interviews gaining valuable advice from mentors along the way who shared strategies for putting their best foot forward when the time comes that students are applying for internships and jobs.
This semester’s mentors were: Adam Rossi, Program Outreach Specialist II, Department of Civil Service, Centers for Careers in Government; Nicole Falzo, PHR Talent Acquisition Lead, Sunmark Credit Union; Keven Mathes, Manager of Commercial Lending, First New York Federal Credit Union; Michael Stamets, Dean of the School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism; Carol Maimone, Associate Professor in the Division of Math, Science, Technology and Health; and Chastity Rios, Non-traditional Career Advisor.
Professor Farron shared, “This was a great opportunity for our students to get some practice speaking with professionals and building their networking skills. You can talk about these skills in class, but having those conversations and getting feedback is where students can really build their confidence.”
Semester Snapshot
Hema Singh, Criminal Justice major and Student Trustee, had the opportunity to meet SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. recently. Hema was attending the New York Community College Trustees (NYCCT) Annual Conference Sept. 16 through Sept. 18 in Saratoga Springs with Board of Trustees Chair Ann Fleming Brown, College President Dr. Nicole Reaves, Chief of Staff Tiombé Tatum, and Executive Assistant to the President Carla Bavaro.
Middle States Live! Recap
On Sept. 25, the College hosted Middle States Live! Learn, Connect, Engage, a college-wide event designed to introduce the campus community to the Middle States Self-Study in an engaging and accessible way. Working Group members brought each of the seven accreditation standards to life through creative presentations, activities, and examples drawn from across the College. The event gave faculty, staff, and students an opportunity to learn more about what Middle States examines during the accreditation process and to see how the work taking place throughout the institution contributes to student success and the College’s mission.
Middle States Live also marked an important point in the College’s Self-Study timeline. With a full draft of the Self-Study now completed, the College is preparing for the Site Team Chair’s preliminary visit on Oct. 28. College-wide preparation for the full evaluation visit will continue during the Spring Semester, including focused preparation in January. The report is scheduled to be finalized and submitted to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in February, with the Site Team visit scheduled for March 29 through April 1, 2027. The coming months will provide additional opportunities for members of the campus community to become familiar with the Self-Study and prepare to speak with the visiting team about their roles in supporting the College and its students.
Book Club Starting This Month
The College Book Club invites students and employees to join the group. The goal is to create a relaxed, welcoming space where Book Club members can talk about great stories and share different ideas. Everyone is welcome.
Featured books this semester are:
October: Julie Chan Is Dead (2025) by Liann Zhang
November: The House in the Cerulean Sea (2020) by TJ Klume
If you would like to be part of the Book Club, please register here.
For more information, please contact Sine Rofofsky, Reference Librarian, at sine.rofofsky@sunysccc.edu, or Janine O'Donnell, TRIO Academic Specialist, at janine.odonnell@sunysccc.edu.