SUNY Morrisville celebrates overwhelming participation in national student success model to improve support, retention and completion

Having a support system, a mentor, career development, extra money for books and gas to travel home on the weekends - it's all making a difference for SUNY Morrisville ASAP|ACE students like Malcom Hernandez, Juliana Kucera, Abigail Gracey and Julian Wilcox, so they can focus more on their academic careers.

They were among SUNY Morrisville ASAP|ACE scholars who joined fellow scholars, students, faculty, staff and campus leaders recently, to highlight the benefits and expansion of the Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE), a transformative model that has been widely demonstrated to increase student completion rates and narrow opportunity gaps.

"I applaud the governor and the chancellor for advancing these programs of study," said SUNY Morrisville President David Rogers during the event. "These ASAP and ACE shirts you are proudly wearing are part of a very special effort by SUNY to acknowledge that you as students may need some help along the way toward your journey of becoming a graduate," Rogers said. "These programs are an important part of an opportunity for us to offer you the chance for success."

"Student success drives everything we do at SUNY, and we are committed to meeting students and their families where they are to ensure they thrive," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. in a prepared statement. "SUNY takes pride in scaling ASAP and ACE as proven models for student success across our campuses and we look forward to continuing to invest in the next generation of SUNY graduates at SUNY Morrisville and across the system."

Michael Duignan, director of SUNY Morrisville ASAP|ACE, led the celebration, which packed the college's Hospitality Suite.

"It's great to see this turnout to realize that everyone here is rooting for your success," Duignan said to scholars. "This wouldn't have started if it wasn't for our governor and donors and on top of that, a lot of faculty and staff. It really is a community coming together to help students financially, academically and then also give them a path toward career success."

"This opportunity to have ASAP|ACE at the Morrisville Campus is an opportunity to serve students to help them succeed and achieve their dreams," said Provost Suzan Harkness during the event. "It is open to students across all majors, two- and four-year programs, so that all of you can have the opportunity to benefit from the support system that you get from the ASAP|ACE program while earning a degree at SUNY Morrisville."

"These programs represent SUNY's unwavering commitment," said Kayle Light-Curtin, director of the college's opportunity programs. "When students have the right resources, they can succeed higher than they ever even imagined.

"What makes these programs and our work so powerful is not just that support, it's the communities that we build," Light-Curtin added. "Education just isn't about academics - it's about creating spaces where students feel valued, supported and empowered to grow into the best versions of themselves."
During the celebration, participating ASAP|ACE students shared stories about how the program is making a difference for them.

Abigail Gracey, a first-year individual studies student from Oneonta, had many reasons for being part of ASAP|ACE. "I heard about all of the benefits and positive aspects, how welcoming everyone was and how the mentors and everyone wants the best for you because college is hard and having a support system is important when you are away from home."

Julian Wilcox, an information technology student from Sidney, was the first student to join the program. "I didn't know if college was for me, but I am so glad that I took the plunge."

ASAP|ACE has supported the nontraditional student the entire way. "There is always a resource, someone to help me with anything I need, whether it is asking for help with financial aid or helping me get on track my first semester," Wilcox said.

Making a big impact for business administration student Malcolm Hernandez, of the Bronx, is the support network of mentors and a focus on wellness.

"Michael (Duignan) is a great mentor and friend," Hernandez said. "I always feel welcome in his office and he is really helping me to adjust."

Sisters Haley (individual studies) and Hannah (equine science) Gill lauded how the program is working for them.

"There were a lot of activities that helped us adjust to college life," Hannah said. "They keep us on track with our grades and make sure our classes are going well."

"It's a fantastic program financially, personally and academically," said Juliana Kucera, an auto body technology student from Elma. "For me, the extra money allows me to go home to visit my family every weekend."

SUNY Morrisville is one of 25 campuses statewide that opted in to the SUNY ASAP|ACE program. SUNY Morrisville is only one of two SUNY schools to have both the ASAP|ACE models in efforts to connect students from every degree to have access to the program. The college also has the fourth largest program enrollment.

Already, 200 students of diverse majors and backgrounds, at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses, have joined since it launched.

These students have received access to textbook stipends, funding for additional expenses and priority access to scheduling to help them graduate on time.

"Some students start for the financial portion and stay because of the mentorship and connections that are meaningful to them," Duignan said. "We provide several resources to help students navigate their academic journey. We are dedicated in supporting students' success by breaking down barriers and moving students from surviving to thriving."

ASAP|ACE provides wraparound support to ensure student academic success, retention and on-time graduation. An array of resources and support - including funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation and other costs of attendance, academic assistance, comprehensive personalized advisement, and career development activities - help Pell-eligible students overcome barriers that can prevent them from achieving their goals and obtaining a degree.

ASAP|ACE expanded to the SUNY system in Spring 2024, supported by an historic demonstration of state-level support championed by Gov. Hochul in the $75 million SUNY Transformation Fund and supplemented by private grants. In Fall 2024, SUNY ASAP|ACE will enroll 4,200 students.

Participating students represent a wide range of backgrounds, interests and experience, but all share a recognition in the importance of higher education and achieving a degree to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Since being initially launched at CUNY in 2007, ASAP|ACE have served more than 100,000 CUNY students and the programs have been replicated in seven states. The ASAP|ACE programs have been proven to significantly improve degree completion rates, particularly for underrepresented students. They have since been replicated at more than 20 colleges in seven states across the nation.