SUNY Chancellor King Kicks Off Spring Semester of the SUNY Reconnect Tour with Visit to Columbia-Greene Community College

Photo by Relentless Awareness

January 8, 2026

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited Columbia-Greene Community College on January 8 to kick off the Spring semester of the statewide SUNY Reconnect Tour. The visit highlighted Governor Kathy Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program, which provides free tuition, fees, books, and supplies to eligible adult learners aged 25–55 pursuing associate degrees in high-demand fields.

During his visit, Chancellor King highlighted Columbia-Greene’s Nursing Program, a SUNY Reconnect-eligible program, and toured the College’s new Nursing Simulation Center, set to open this spring. The center features advanced medical technology and lifelike simulation tools that prepare students for real-world clinical experiences.

College leaders and state officials praised SUNY Reconnect for expanding access to higher education, strengthening workforce development, and removing financial barriers for adult learners. Through SUNY Reconnect funding, Columbia-Greene has expanded its advising, recruitment, and student support services, invested in high-demand programs such as nursing and cybersecurity, and enhanced services tailored to adult learners.

Columbia-Greene Community College President Dr. Victoria L. Walsh said, “Columbia-Greene is hitting the ground running for the Spring 2026 semester, and we are thrilled to host Chancellor King as he kicks off the Spring semester of the statewide SUNY Reconnect Tour. Our students are taking advantage of Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program for adult learners, and our school is working to ensure everyone taking courses is given the education and skillset they will need to thrive in the workplace. We thank Chancellor King and SUNY leadership for their ongoing commitment to Columbia-Greene Community College and the students we are proud to serve (State University of New York, 2026).”

SUNY Reconnect supports degrees in fields such as nursing and allied health, cybersecurity, engineering, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, green energy, and pathways to teaching. Applications for Spring 2026 are now open.

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State University of New York. (2026, January 8). SUNY Chancellor King kicks off spring semester of the SUNY Reconnect Tour with visit to Columbia-Greene Community College [Press release]. https://www.suny.edu/suny-news/press-releases/1-26/1-8-26-2/cgcc.html