POTSDAM -- State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. visited SUNY Potsdam to celebrate the expansion of the school's student success model now on campus to improve support, retention, and college completion.

Through the SUNY Transformation Fund, 25 SUNY campuses are replicating the ASAP and ACE programs, which have been demonstrated through randomized controlled trials to dramatically increase retention and completion.

Chancellor King was joined on campus by SUNY Potsdam President Suzanne Smith, as well as New York State Senator Dan Stec, Assemblymember Scott Gray, and students.

SUNY Potsdam implemented ACE (Advancing Completion through Engagement), and this year will provide 150 students with a supportive safety net through a range of resources and financial, academic, and personal support, including academic advisement, career counseling, tuition assistance, textbook stipends and funding for additional expenses, school officials say.

ASAP and ACE were first pioneered at CUNY, and then replicated across the country.

Since launching in 2007, ASAP has collectively served over 90,000 students at CUNY.

Independent studies of the ASAP initiative highlight the program's proven results and reliance. When SUNY Westchester Community College re-launched ASAP as the campus' own Viking ROADS program in 2018, an independent study found the program increased full-time enrollment levels by up to 20 percentage points.

"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 King.

"SUNY takes pride in scaling ASAP and ACE as proven models for student success across our campuses and look forward to continuing to invest in the next generation of SUNY graduates -- at Potsdam and across the system."

"SUNY Potsdam is proud to be at the forefront of student engagement and support -- helping every student overcome hurdles small and large, from day one. Our ACE program is already showing promise in helping students start strong and finish strong, so they can reach their personal and professional goals, with less debt along the way," said President Smith.

"It's vital to ensure that our students receive the skills and development necessary to both complete their studies and embark upon a successful career upon finishing their education. Implementing the ASAP|ACE initiative here at SUNY Potsdam will enhance student outcomes and help make the school more enticing for potential and current students," said Senator Stec.

"As a strong advocate for education, I am thrilled to see SUNY Potsdam implement the ACE program, which promises to provide crucial support and resources for our students to ensure their success. I commend Chancellor King's leadership for investing in these initiatives as an investment in our communities' future and our students' future success," said Assemblyman Gray.