Chancellor John B. King Jr. joined the Saratoga Forum virtually to share how SUNY is preparing New Yorkers for the future of work. A highlight of his keynote was SUNY Reconnect, a new program that makes community college free for adults ages 25 to 55 who have not yet earned a degree. Covering tuition, books and fees, SUNY Reconnect lowers barriers and creates pathways into high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, IT, AI and healthcare.
Building Workforce Readiness
SUNY is aligning education with employer needs by expanding microcredentials, certificates and degree programs in business, finance and technology. Beyond coursework, Chancellor King emphasized a commitment to paid experiential learning. SUNY’s goal is for every student to graduate with an internship or similar hands-on opportunity, ensuring equitable access to career-building experiences. New initiatives like the Climate Corps, summer research programs and the Empire State Service Corps are making that vision a reality.
Driving Innovation and Growth
The Chancellor also spotlighted the role of research in fueling new companies and industries. SUNY partnerships are turning discoveries into startups that address real-world challenges, from solar energy to healthcare technology. These efforts are supporting growth in critical sectors, including semiconductors in Syracuse, battery innovation in the Southern Tier and artificial intelligence in Buffalo. Investments at facilities like Albany Nanotech and Micron’s expansion demonstrate the scale of New York’s opportunity.
Partnering for the Future
Chancellor King closed with a call for collaboration. He urged employers, from startups to global companies, to engage with SUNY students as interns and apprentices. These partnerships will strengthen the state’s talent pipeline and accelerate innovation. Together, SUNY, employers and investors are powering New York’s innovation economy and building momentum for long-term growth. For more on Chancellor King’s speech, please click on the video below: