SUNY Fredonia announced the expansion at a campus event, highlighting how targeted financial, academic and wraparound support is boosting student momentum”One of the most important things we do at SUNY Fredonia is to ensure that the students we admit are successful in achieving their dreams of a Fredonia degree,” said SUNY Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. “The ACE program is among the most impactful in helping us fulfill that commitment. Hence, I am very grateful to all our faculty and staff involved in this program as well as to SUNY and the State of New York, for providing the resources that make it possible to support our students at this level. ”

SUNY’s ASAP, ACE initiative launched systemwide in 2024 and now serves thousands of students across state-operated campuses. Eligible students have access to a wide array of resources and support to help them overcome barriers that can prevent them from obtaining a degree. This includes funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation, and other costs of attendance, as well as comprehensive personalized advisement, academic support, and career development activities.

SUNY Fredonia met SUNY’s initial enrollment target ahead of schedule, established a waitlist, and expanded from 150 students in Spring 2025 to 250 students this fall with the addition of a new academic advisor — while maintaining full funding for current participants. Program leaders reported stronger credit accumulation and GPAs among ACE students than non-participants, consistent with SUNY’s early systemwide outcomes for ASAP, ACE.

Assistant Vice President for Retention and Special Initiatives Erin Mroczka said the event highlighted student experiences and showcased their successes in the program. “ACE works because it removes real barriers and pairs that support with proactive, relationship-based advising,” she said. “The data are encouraging, and the stories behind the data are even more compelling.”

State University of New York at Fredonia President Stephen Kolison.

Students in Fredonia’s ACE program echo those thoughts. “The ACE Program has been beneficial in terms of financial aid, academic advice, and especially in providing an opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills,” said Giulianna Lalomio, a junior from Gowanda, NY.

“ACE helped me through a lot of my hardest times in college, especially giving me advice when I didn’t know if I could return this fall,” said Lucien Oakley, a sophomore from Springville. “They helped make sure I could come back.”

“ACE provides our students with wraparound advising and a community of support that helps them stay on track,” said ACE Program Director Dr. Sue McGee. “By reducing financial barriers and connecting students to resources, we’re seeing stronger credit momentum and persistence toward graduation.”

In the 2025-26 state budget, Gov. Kathy Hochul and state leaders allocated $12 million for SUNY to expand this initiative, which will help SUNY Fredonia support more students as they pursue a degree to help them unleash their full potential. The significant investment by Governor Hochul and state leaders will help grow ASAP, ACE enrollment statewide to an anticipated 7,000 students this year, on track to enrolling 10,000 students for Fall 2026.

“The research on ASAP and ACE is very clear; students enrolled in the program attempt more credits, complete more credits, and are more likely to graduate on time than if they did not have the academic, financial, and personal supports of ASAP, ACE,” said University Director of ASAP, ACE Dr. Jennifer Bashant. “At the heart of this program are the relationships formed and the trust that is cultivated, demonstrating to every student that they are not alone and that that always have someone in their corner to help them navigate challenges in the classroom and also in life.”

“SUNY is committed to the success of every student, and our expansion of the proven ASAP and ACE programs across our system ensures our students are on track to complete their degree on time and pursue their aspirations, ” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “I applaud Governor Hochul and state leaders for their continued support of SUNY, and I thank the SUNY Fredonia administration, faculty, and staff for their unwavering commitment to student success.”

Dignitaries at Friday’s announcement and celebration included Dr. Kathryn Kendall, vice president for Enrollment Management and Services; Bashant, SUNY’s university director for ASAP, ACE; Cynthia Ahlstrom, a member of the Fredonia College Council; Michael Ferguson, village of Fredonia mayor; and Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel.