SUNY Adirondack offers free Reconnect program

QUEENSBURY, New York (May 19, 2025) — SUNY Adirondack is proud to announce it will offer free tuition in high-demand fields for state residents ages 25 to 55 beginning in the Fall 2025 semester.

This state-funded program, SUNY Reconnect, provides free associate degrees in select fields for residents of New York state ages 25 to 55 years old who have never earned a college degree.

“This is an exciting opportunity for those interested in earning a degree and for regional employers, who need an educated workforce,” said Kristine D. Duffy, Ed.D., president of SUNY Adirondack. “We know there are many barriers to education, and cost is one of them, so we are proud to be able to eliminate that.”

SUNY Adirondack programs included in SUNY Reconnect are*:

• Computer Science;
• Criminal Justice: Substance Abuse Services;
• Engineering Science;
• IT: Cybersecurity;
• Mechatronics;
• Nursing

SUNY Reconnect covers the costs of tuition, mandatory fees, books and supplies. Students are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and TAP; any remaining expenses are then paid for by Reconnect.

"We are grateful to Gov. Hochul for her vision and support of community colleges as a critical partner in workforce development for New York," Duffy said.

Said Paul Scimeca, president and CEO of Glens Falls Hospital: "We are thrilled to see the state invest in the future of health care. The SUNY Reconnect program will help build a pipeline of talented, compassionate professionals at a time when our community needs them most. We look forward to hiring graduates from SUNY Adirondack who are well prepared to serve on the front lines of patient care."

Said Christine McLear, senior lead of Workforce Development at Global Foundries: "This program directly addresses the workforce needs in the chip fabrication industry. SUNY Reconnect is making Mechatronics — one of the most versatile and in-demand skill sets — accessible to individuals ready to advance their careers. This initiative will benefit GlobalFoundries and all high-tech manufacturers, both now and in the future, and we eagerly anticipate hiring its future graduates."  

Those interested in SUNY Reconnect at SUNY Adirondack are encouraged to attend an information session, which will be offered from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, in Scoville Hall, Room 206, on the Queensbury campus; and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, and Tuesday, June 17, via Zoom. Register for the in-person event, for the June 10 Zoom session or the June 17 Zoom session.

To learn more, visit our SUNY Reconnect webpage, or contact SUNY Adirondack’s College Access team at admission@sunyacc.edu or 518-743-2264 to learn more.

*Additional programs might be eligible in the future.