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SUNY Potsdam to Boost Graduation Rates Through ACE Initiative

September 25, 2025

SUNY Potsdam Hosts Special Event to Highlight Success of Advancing Completion Through Engagement (ACE) Program

SUNY Potsdam will host a special event next week to highlight its participation in Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE), a transformative program aimed at removing barriers to degree completion and increasing student success.  

The event will highlight the comprehensive support to students provided through ACE, which includes financial assistance, personalized academic advising, career development, and community-building activities designed to help students overcome obstacles to timely graduation. 

SUNY ASAP|ACE launched in Spring 2024, with 4,200 students at 25 campuses, thanks to support from Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature through the historic $75 million SUNY Transformation Fund, demonstrating their commitment to improving student success across the state. The program is part of SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. and the SUNY Board of Trustees’ vision of advancing student success and upward mobility within the SUNY system.  

In May 2025, Gov. Hochul and the state Legislature established $12 million in recurring funding to help support SUNY’s expansion to 7,050 students in Fall 2025, on the path to 10,000 students by Fall 2026. 

SUNY Potsdam’s event will include remarks from President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith, State Assemblymember Scott Gray and ACE Director Sean Partridge, as well as students sharing their stories on how they have benefited from the program. Attendees will learn about the impact of ACE on participating students and the benefits of this initiative for the campus and community. 

WHAT: Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) Program Announcement 

WHO: SUNY Potsdam President Suzanne Smith and New York State Assemblymember Scott Gray 

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m. 

WHERE: SUNY Potsdam, Raymond Hall, 8th Floor Lounge, 44 Pierrepont Ave., Potsdam, NY 

MEDIA CONTACT: Alexandra Jacobs Wilke, Director of Public Relations, news@potsdam.edu, (315) 267-2918 

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. 

For Media Inquiries

Alexandra Jacobs Wilke

jacobsam@potsdam.edu 315-267-2918