Tompkins Cortland Community College joined SUNY Cortland for a celebration of the SUNY ASAP and ACE programs successfully underway on their respective campuses. The event held on the SUNY Cortland campus on October 8 featured remarks from students and the presidents from both institutions, along with New York State Senator Lea Webb and SUNY University Director for ASAP|ACE Jennifer Bashant.

ASAP and ACE are aimed at removing barriers to degree completion and increasing student success. In addition to dedicated advising and academic and career assistance, students in each program receive financial to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation and other costs of attendance.

“The SUNY ASAP program has been a great success in our first year of having the program at TC3,” said President Kremenek. “There is nothing more fulfilling than watching a student succeed, especially one who has overcome obstacles, and the SUNY ASAP program helps make that happen.”

TC3 added the ASAP program last year; SUNY Cortland launched its ACE program this year. Both campuses are at capacity with 150 students in their respective programs this semester. Across the entire SUNY system, more than 10,000 students are part of ASAP|ACE.

“At the heart of SUNY is student success,” said Director Bashant. “ASAP and ACE go well beyond just talking about it – they create the conditions allowing students to succeed.”

“I’m happy to be celebrating the power of collaboration and eliminating any gaps that would hinder pursuing education,” said Senator Webb. “If we don’t remove barriers to education we are limiting our community’s ability to grow and thrive.”

Both students who spoke started in TC3’s ASAP program. Gray Lewis is now a cinema study major and part of the ACE program at SUNY Cortland, but they were part of the inaugural ASAP class at TC3 last year. “I would not be here without ASAP,” said Lewis. “Programs like these open doors.”

The final speaker was Jewle-Krystal Fisher, a human services major in her first semester at TC3. Fisher is a single mother of two who also works full time in Ithaca. “A lot of us have the capability, but not the financial stability for (college),” said Fisher. “Things changed as soon as I went into the ASAP office. Ever since I was accepted (into ASAP) it’s been more stress free.”