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JCC SUNY Reconnect Students Share Their Experiences
with Chancellor John B. King Jr. During SUNY Reconnect Tour Stop
Published: September 06, 2027
at 01:00 p.m.
By: Press Release
from Jefferson Community College
JCC SUNY Reconnect Students Share Their Experiences
with Chancellor John B. King Jr. During SUNY Reconnect Tour Stop
Front row (l-r): Daniel J.
Dupee, II, President, Erika Flint, Trustee, Heather K. Cayabyab, Education
Student, JoLynn Fiorentino, Assistant Professor
of Education, Gloria Payne, Education Student, John Walter, Health Sciences
Student, Tyler Merrill, Engineering Student, Valerie P. Dent, SUNY Vice
Chancellor Back row (l-r): David Snow, Director of
Community Services-Mechatronics/JEWEL Program, Dr. Robert Kimball,
Watertown City Council Member, Scott Gray, Assemblymember 116th District,
John B. King, Jr., SUNY Chancellor, Breland Griffin, Computer Information
Technology Student, David J. Males, Trustee
Watertown, N.Y. – State University
of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King Jr. recently visited Jefferson
Community College (JCC) as part of his SUNY Reconnect Tour, where he heard
from Jefferson students about their experiences, toured the College’s
mechatronics labs and met with faculty.
Chancellor King
has been visiting SUNY campuses throughout the state to highlight Governor
Hochul's SUNY Reconnect program, which officially began at the start of
Fall 2025 classes, and provides free associate degrees in high-demand
fields for eligible adult learners. In the 2026-2027 Enacted State Budget,
SUNY Reconnect was expanded to include associate degree programs at
bachelor's granting institutions, additional high-demand programs, and will
make it easier for adult learners to return to college to pursue nursing if
they have a prior degree in another field.
"The SUNY
Reconnect program is helping adult learners throughout the state pursue the
career of their dreams," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Campuses
like Jefferson Community College are vital drivers of upward mobility that
empower our students to reach their full potential through an affordable,
excellent public higher education. I commend Jefferson Community College
for supporting our adult learners and providing them with a well-rounded
education."
Jefferson
education student, Heather K. Cayabyab of Carthage, said, “I was really
impressed, and it was nice to share our experiences with Dr. King. SUNY
Reconnect is the reason I’m able to continue my education. It has inspired
me to finish my degree and set goals for a career, rather than simply
finding a job. I hope people can see that having a family doesn’t mean you
can’t further your education and start a career. I can do both. SUNY
Reconnect has given me that opportunity.”
During his visit,
Chancellor King highlighted Jefferson’s health sciences, cybersecurity, and
engineering programs, which are eligible for SUNY Reconnect.
President Daniel
J. Dupee II said, "SUNY Reconnect is opening doors for New Yorkers who
may have put college on hold or never had the opportunity to pursue a
degree. At Jefferson, we’re proud to expand that opportunity through our
new Health Sciences degree, which provides a clear pathway for students to
build a strong foundation in the sciences and continue on
to nursing or other health-related bachelor’s degree programs. By combining
an in-demand academic pathway with the financial support available through
SUNY Reconnect, we’re helping more adults take the next step toward a
rewarding career while strengthening the healthcare workforce our region
needs."
State
Assemblymember Kenneth Blankenbush said, "Jefferson Community College
has long been an important part of our North Country, and programs like
SUNY Reconnect can help open new doors for adults who are ready to build a
better future for themselves and their families. By expanding access to
training in health sciences, cybersecurity, engineering and other
high-demand fields, we are not simply helping people earn degrees, we are
strengthening the workforce our communities will depend on for years to
come. I am proud to see Jefferson Community College leading the way and
giving more New Yorkers the opportunity to learn new skills, fill critical
jobs and build their future right here at home."
State
Assemblymember Scott Gray said, "It is always a privilege to welcome
Chancellor King to the North Country, especially to showcase the
outstanding work happening at Jefferson Community College. The expansion of
the SUNY Reconnect program in this year’s budget is a major win for adult
learners across our region. By removing financial barriers for high-demand
fields like health sciences, cybersecurity, and engineering, we are opening
doors for residents to upskill, re-enter the workforce, and secure high-paying
careers right here at home. Jefferson Community College continues to be a
vital hub for economic growth in Jefferson County, and I encourage eligible
adults in our community to take full advantage of this transformative
opportunity."
Eligible SUNY
Reconnect programs at Jefferson include:
•
Childhood Education, A.A.
•
Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 2, A.A.
•
Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 6, A.A
•
Health Sciences, A.S.
•
Nursing, A.A.S.
•
Computer Information Technology, A.A.S.
•
Computer Information Systems, A.S.
•
Computer Science, A.S.
•
Engineering Science, A.S.
To learn more
about SUNY Reconnect programs available at Jefferson Community College
visit: www.sunyjefferson.edu/freecc or
call Enrollment Services at (315) 786-2437. Applying to Jefferson is free.
Late session, 8-week classes, begin October 19, 2026, and wrap up by
December 11, 2026.
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