State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher says she is grateful that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has placed the state university “at the forefront” of his agenda for the future, sketched in his State of the State speech on Wednesday.

She expressed her gratitude by praising the governor’s “vision” for the future of the 64 state campuses, including three units in St. Lawrence County, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton, and the Ranger School at Wanakena.

“The Governor’s vision at the year’s State of the State address will help to expand access to college, completion of programs and success in the job market,” Zimpher said in a news release. “That’s the winning equation to help students succeed in life, and we stand ready to work with the Governor to make his ambitious education agenda a success.

Zimpher said the governor will help “to focus on educating our students in highly sought after fields, and [we] are excited by the Governor’s vision to provide full scholarships to top-performing high school students who want to enter the STEM fields.

“I applaud Governor Cuomo for expanding his highly effective NYSUNY 2020 program to refocus the program through performance-based funding that will increase online learning and co-op /paid internships as a way to expand access and affordability, providing a strong pathway to a career for more New Yorkers,” the chancellor said.