ASAP|ACE Event Highlights SUNY Canton Student Success

The latest programs in SUNY Canton’s extensive student support network are helping students complete college on time by providing financial and academic support.

Originally launched last spring, Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) programs have reached capacity at SUNY Canton.

“With the campus and SUNY support, we have been able to onboard and serve 185 students and help them earn their 2- and 4-year degrees,” said ASAP|ACE Program Director Kelsey A. Guerard. “Our program offers three pillars of support: academic, financial, and career readiness, to help our students understand and meet their academic and professional goals.”

The new initiatives provide an array of assistance, including funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation, and other costs of attendance. It also provides academic assistance, personalized advisement, and career development activities for Pell-eligible students.

Veterinary Technology major Mikayla E. Nichol from Lowville said ASAP helped her overcome some of the strain of attending college.

“They provided me with money so I could pay for my books,” she said. “I had money saved to pay my tuition, but books were another story. The money helped me not stress out about having to pay for an additional expense.”

Dominick A. Hartwell, a four-year Cybersecurity major from Rexville, said he benefitted from the personalized academic support from ACE. He noted regular check-ins and study sessions have helped him maintain a high level of academic performance.

“The program fosters a supportive community, which makes a huge difference for students, especially for those of us studying online,” Hartwell said. “The personalized approach makes you feel like you are never navigating your education alone.”

Students were offered the chance to discuss the program with area elected leaders and college officials during a networking event held Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Roos House Convocation, Athletic, and Recreation Center. State Assemblymember Scott Gray noted that the programs were a crucial part of students’ success.

“These programs allow students to have the opportunity to follow their dreams and achieve the goals they have,” Gray said. “I will continue to work in Albany to ensure these programs will be available for the students that need them.”

Gray discussed the program with SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran and other college officials and met with some ACE students for lunch at Chaney Dining Center following the on-campus event.

“We emphasize building relationships and working together to become active members of our caring community of learners in many of our programs across campus,” Szafran said. “ASAP and ACE are no exception and add valuable experiences to our educational programming while supporting our students financially.”

SUNY Canton is one of 25 SUNY campuses that opted into the ASAP|ACE programs supported by state-level support championed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in the $75 million SUNY Transformation Fund and supplemented by private grants from numerous foundations.

“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. “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 Canton and across the system.”