Students In SUNY Reconnect Program Are Earning Their College Degrees For Free

This semester, students are taking advantage of the new SUNY Reconnect program which makes it possible for adult students, ages 25 – 55 who don't already have a college degree, to pursue an associate degree in a high-demand field with free community college tuition, fees, books, & supplies.

Kristina Waters, Chemical Dependency Counseling (A.A.S. degree)
Career Goal: Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor

Kristina has worked in the health care field as a CNA and EMT for 15 years. She loved working as an EMT, but wanted the opportunity to explore her options. A mother of two, Kristina has had personal connections to people in her life who have struggled with substance abuse, so she wanted to enter the counseling field to do what she could to help. She works full time as a Residential Counselor at Glenmont Job Corps Center.

“If I can help even one person then it’s a win. Yesterday is in the past, but today is the future. Today is my future! SUNY Reconnect is a great opportunity for people who can’t financially afford to go to school. I was always focused on taking care of my kids first and now that they are both out of school and have jobs, I can focus on me. This has made it possible for me to start earning my college degree. I also want to say that a big factor in coming to SUNY Schenectady was the amazing help I’ve received so far and having all of my questions answered.”

Rayshawn Floyd, Teacher Education Transfer (A.S. degree)
Career Goal: Middle School/High School Math Teacher

Rayshawn started taking classes at the College last fall after working for several years in customer service. He currently works full time at a call center for Medicaid and healthcare programs while going to school full time. He decided to return to College, after having taken classes right out of high school, because the time was right to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher.

“I went to college originally for an education degree, but I started working because I thought that was more important. I have realized that it’s about the growth and wanting to develop a skill. I’m actually in the mindset to do that now. I’ve always been good at math and always found it enjoyable to assist someone to get that eureka moment. SUNY Reconnect is a great blessing. It allows people who don’t have degrees to go to college, while still being able to work, afford your lifestyle, and not skip a beat in your education. Last year, I had to save up and wait to pay tuition.”

Christopher Davis, Computer Networking Systems and Cybersecurity (A.A.S. degree)
Career Goal: A position in the field, perhaps IT training

Christopher works full time as a Corporate Trainer at a home health care agency, leading new employees through strategies for communicating with clients and insurance companies. He also conducts computer training, something he enjoyed as a customer service rep. Now, he’s ready to make a career out of his passion for technology.

“I am a learner in general and not having a college degree had always been an area that I knew that I wanted to circle back on. I had taken college classes before, but it didn’t work out. This time around I am more wise, more humbled, and appreciative of this opportunity to get a college education under my belt once and for all. Working and going to school is already stressful enough, but finding the money to dedicate to it was always a question. SUNY Reconnect made it all line up financially.”

Olivia Edgar, Computer Networking Systems and Cybersecurity (A.A.S. degree)
Career Goal: Start her own business

Fueled by a lifelong interest in computers and innovation, Olivia is returning to college after originally studying Psychology for two years. When the pandemic happened, she decided to leave school and come home to the Capital Region. She worked in property management for five years where she also assisted with IT needs, and is now working full time at a cannabis dispensary while she goes to school full time. 

“I  was never going to be able to go back to school if it wasn’t for this program. It has changed the whole trajectory of my life. I have tons of bills and this set me up to be able to go back to school. Also, the fact that SUNY Schenectady has a laptop borrowing program was amazing for me. I wasn’t going to be able to afford a laptop for school, so it’s amazing that students get to use the College’s laptops through the whole semester.”

Eligible SUNY Reconnect programs at SUNY Schenectady are Chemical Dependency Counseling, Computer Networking Systems and Cyber Security, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Programming for Game Design, and Teacher Education Transfer.