State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. celebrated the launch of Tompkins Cortland Community College's new Adult Learner and Reconnect Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony today on the TC3 campus. The new center will provide assistance and support for TC3’s adult learners, including those enrolled through SUNY Reconnect, the program that provides free associate degrees in high-demand fields for eligible adult learners.

“The SUNY Reconnect program continues to help our students achieve upward mobility and good jobs through access to a high-quality public higher education,” said SUNY Chancellor King.“Through the new Adult Learner and Reconnect Center, Tompkins Cortland Community College will ensure its students are supported as they work to achieve degrees in high-demand fields. Congratulations to Tompkins Cortland Community College on the opening of this new facility, and I applaud the campus for its outstanding support of our adult learners.”

“Serving adult students has historically been a significant priority for community colleges, and the SUNY Reconnect program has emphasized the importance of this segment of TC3's student body. With adult students now accounting for the majority of our core population at TC3, we are keenly attuned to the needs of adults to support enrollment, retention and completion of high-demand, high-value degrees,” said TC3 President Amy Kremenek. “We are grateful to New York State and SUNY for their investment in the SUNY Reconnect program, and for this center, unique to TC3, that serves as the hub for the services and supports that are specifically aimed at the needs of our adult learners.”

Tompkins Cortland Community College's Adult Learner and Reconnect Center is a centralized point of access designed to better serve adult learners, including SUNY Reconnect participants, evening and online learners, veterans, and students balancing education with work and caregiving responsibilities. The office will provide proactive coaching, navigation, and case-managed support for adult learners across their enrollment, re-entry, and persistence journey, serving as a supportive space for students balancing work, life, family, and college.

“I truly believe that higher education is one of our best pathways to ensure our communities can thrive. The SUNY Reconnect program is immensely successful because it helps to open doors for adult learners in building their careers through earning an associate’s degree in high-demand fields such as nursing, engineering, or cybersecurity,” said New York State Senator Lea Webb. “TC3 is continuing to lead in its mission to support every learner at their campus and beyond. I appreciate SUNY Chancellor King’s visit and great support of TC3. I look forward to seeing the new Adult Learner and Reconnect Center flourish.”

During his visit, Chancellor King also met with students enrolled in SUNY Reconnect to discuss how the program has prepared them for upward mobility and success after graduation. Tompkins Cortland Community College has seen significant growth in its adult student enrollment as result of the Reconnect program.

“The SUNY Reconnect Program reflects a powerful commitment to ensuring that adult learners have the opportunity to advance their education and career. I applaud Governor Hochul for championing this initiative and thank Chancellor King for his tireless dedication to bringing its promise to campuses across the state,” said New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Acting President Doris B. González. “The opening of Tompkins Cortland Community College's Adult Learner and Reconnect Center is a meaningful step forward to creating a dedicated space where adult learners can access the coaching, resources, and support they need to succeed. Whether balancing work, family, or other responsibilities, students at TC3 will now have a true home base as they pursue degrees in high-demand fields. We are proud to see Tompkins Cortland leading the way in supporting adult learners and look forward to the impact this center will have.”

Launched in Fall 2025, Governor Hochul's SUNY Reconnect initiative provides free tuition, fees, books, and supplies for New York State resident adults ages 25-55 who do not already have a college degree to pursue an associate degree in a high-demand fields, after all applicable financial aid. SUNY launched a dedicated website: SUNY.edu/reconnect, to provide information to prospective students and promote the launch of SUNY Reconnect.