SUNY Potsdam Counselor & Prometheus Food Pantry Director April Fullerton Recognized with Basic Needs Champion Award at SUNY Conference
SUNY Potsdam Counselor April Fullerton was recently recognized with the Basic Needs Champion Award at the SUNY Basic Needs Summit, held on Sept. 24.
The Basic Needs Champion Award honors leaders, advocates, and changemakers who are committed to supporting student basic needs. The award is open to students, faculty, staff and administrators who demonstrate a dedication to helping students access the essential resources and support they need to thrive.
Now a licensed mental health counselor at the College Counseling Center, Fullerton is a dedicated SUNY Potsdam staff member who previously led the Bear CARE Program clinical case management program, oversaw the Prometheus Alumni Food Pantry, and served as the campus liaison for homelessness and SNAP support.
“It meant a great deal to me to be recognized by my colleagues for the work that we have done through the case management program, although it was anything but a solo act. We are doing some pretty amazing things here on our little campus to make sure that students' basic needs are being met so that they can thrive as students and as individuals. If it weren't for the hard work of all the people involved, none of it would be possible. It really does take a village, and I am incredibly proud of our village and the work that we do to ensure student success both in and out of the classroom. The support we get from students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, SUNY and the community are what make it all possible,” Fullerton said.
The honor recognized Fullerton's outstanding commitment to supporting students and addressing food insecurity, housing stability, and other essential needs across the campus community.
“April’s recognition highlights her ongoing commitment to student well-being and her work to strengthen a supportive campus community at SUNY Potsdam. Her dedication to addressing student basic needs exemplifies the impact that caring, engaged campus leaders can have on student success,” said Director of Student Health and Counseling Services Amy Richardson. “Her dedication helps ensure that Potsdam students can focus on their education and thrive during their time here.”
“I am grateful for the support and recognition on behalf of our entire team and look forward to seeing all the incredible work yet to come. And I am especially grateful that SUNY understands the importance of this work and actively supports and encourages continued efforts to address basic needs insecurity across all SUNY campuses,” Fullerton said.
SUNY is committed to expanding access to essential resources for students. Chancellor King has announced additional basic needs initiatives, including establishing student emergency aid funds on all 64 SUNY campuses and expanding support for foster and formerly homeless youth. In March, Chancellor King joined students for a roundtable to discuss how emergency aid grants have made the pathway to higher education more accessible. In January, SUNY announced the expansion of basic needs programs including food lockers, projects to address housing security, and programs to fill transportation gaps. SUNY also announced awards from the Mental Health First Aid Grant Program to strengthen campus-wide approaches to student mental health and well-being across the SUNY System. In November 2025, SUNY expanded the student emergency aid grant program at 10 community colleges through a $350,000 grant from the Gates Foundation, and Governor Hochul's FY2026-27 Executive Budget includes $600,000 in dedicated state support for SUNY to expand campus emergency aid grant programs.
SUNY launched the emergency aid pilot program in 2017 at seven campuses, supported by $600,000 in grants from Gerstner Philanthropies and the Heckscher Foundation for Children. In November 2025, Governor Hochul announced $550,000 in emergency assistance for SUNY's community college food pantries to combat the food insecurity crisis. SUNY also offers the Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which provides access, academic support, and supplemental financial assistance to students from low-income backgrounds, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Fact sheets outlining SUNY's commitment to basic needs can be found here: Basic Needs Support Fact Sheet 2025 and Food Insecurity Fact Sheet 2025.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.