SUNY Morrisville’s ASAP|ACE programs expand to transform student success

After serving 10 years in the Marine Corps, veteran Vincent Dahr set out on a new mission: building a career in information technology and cybersecurity. Transitioning from military to college wasn't easy, but Dahr wanted to pursue a path that combined discipline, problem-solving and protecting others in a new way.

That's when he connected with SUNY Morrisville's Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) program, part of the college's broader ASAP|ACE initiative designed to increase student success and close opportunity gaps.

"When I first signed up for the ACE program, I was freshly out of the military and had no idea how civilian life - let alone college life - worked," said Dahr, a second-year student studying information technology with a concentration in network & systems administration and a minor in cybersecurity.

"What I got from ACE was exactly what I needed - a mentor and someone to guide me along this new chapter of my life," the Munnsville resident added.

Now, with a decade of service behind him and a new career ahead, he credits ACE with helping bridge the gap between his past experiences and future goals. "Getting into the realms of cybersecurity is my current career goal, and I'd eventually also like to help other veterans with transitioning into the civilian world," he said.

The expansion of SUNY Morrisville's Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) programs was recently highlighted during a campus celebration attended by students, faculty, staff and campus leaders.

With additional funding from New York State, the programs grew this year to include a new mentoring component that provides an added layer of guidance and support. The expansion is part of a SUNY-wide push to enroll 10,000 students in the ASAP/ACE programs. This fall alone, 7,050 students across 34 campuses are benefiting from the initiative.

SUNY Morrisville is one of few SUNY schools to offer both models, making the programs accessible to students across all degree programs.

During the celebration, SUNY Morrisville President David Rogers emphasized the importance of support for students navigating college life: "We care deeply about our students who come here. ASAP and ACE are all about having people ready to answer questions and to be in your court. That kind of support is critical."

That commitment is carried out through a dedicated team. "We build a community of support here," said Michael Duignan, director of SUNY Morrisville ASAP|ACE. "It really is a community coming together to help students financially, academically and then also giving them a path toward career success."

"At the heart of SUNY's mission is a deep commitment to student success," said Casey O'Brien, associate vice chancellor for student success and transformational initiatives at SUNY, who joined the celebration. "Programs like ASAP|ACE embody that mission in very real and tangible ways."

O'Brien noted that this semester, 360 students are enrolled, making Morrisville among the largest from across the state.

Building on that success, Kayle Light-Curtin, executive director of SUNY Morrisville's Opportunity and Access Programs, highlighted the team's efforts in expanding support.

"The hard work and dedication of our opportunity programs team have been instrumental in increasing the number of students we serve - and, more importantly, in changing the trajectory of their lives," she said.

During the celebration, SUNY leadership and New York State legislators were also recognized, including Assemblyman Joe Angelino, of the 121st District, who took part in the event.

"SUNY Morrisville couldn't do this on its own," Rogers said, thanking SUNY, Gov. Kathy Hochul and local legislators.

"I truly believe that our opportunity and support programs are the heartbeat of SUNY Morrisville and we are incredibly thankful for the expansion and continued support from the SUNY system and New York State in prioritizing programs like ASAP and ACE," Light-Curtin said. "Their expansion has allowed us to reach even more students, ensuring they have the guidance, resources and caring professionals they need to succeed."

Students from diverse majors and backgrounds, at the Morrisville and Norwich campuses, benefit from ASAP|ACE through resources such as funding for textbooks, groceries, transportation, academic assistance, personalized advisement and career development activities.

Among them is Irma Chamorro, an individual studies student, from Harlem, in the ASAP program.

"I struggled a lot, but ASAP was there to help me. I will get my associate degree in the spring," she said to applause from the audience.

For Dahr, who served as a field artillery operations chief, the program has provided guidance in navigating academic life, balancing family responsibilities and preparing him for a career he's passionate about.

"ACE absolutely aligns with both my academic and career goals," Dahr said. "This program helps me stay on the right track academically and shows me how to plan ahead and build habits that will last beyond college."

The expansion of ASAP|ACE across SUNY, launched in Spring 2024, is supported by the Transformation Fund, championed by Gov. Hochul and supplemented by private grants. The initiative has been widely recognized for increasing student completion rates and narrowing opportunity gaps across the state.