Governor Hochul Highlights Expanded Collaboration Between the State University of New York and the University of Puerto Rico

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new initiatives to expand SUNY's collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). SUNY's partnership with the University of Puerto Rico began in 2023 with thesigning of a five-year collaboration between the systems on shared priorities including student success, research, sustainability, and social mobility. This long-term collaboration extended and expanded an agreement established betweenSUNY and UPR in 2018, and has encouraged SUNY campuses to work directly with UPR schools on issues facing New York, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean region.

"New York is proud to continue our work to build on the partnership between SUNY and the University of Puerto Rico," Governor Kathy Hochulsaid. "Through these collaborations we are building bridges that benefit students across both systems, and showcasing our shared commitment to student success and academic excellence."

During the 2026 SOMOS Conference in Puerto Rico, Governor Hochul announced the appointment of the first SUNY-Puerto Rico Academic Collaboration Fellow, Dr. Luis Colִón, a SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemistry at the State University of New York at Buffalo. In this role, Dr. Luis Colִón will serve as the lead on SUNY's efforts to strengthen the relationship between SUNY and the University of Puerto Rico to develop educational opportunities and partnerships for more students and faculty.

During his time at the State University of New York at Buffalo, Dr. Colִón helped recruit dozens of students from Puerto Rico to attend the university. Dr. Colִón graduated from UPR Cayey and is a Puerto Rico native, and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring from then-President Barack Obama, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) 2024 Lifetime Mentor Award.

In addition to the SUNY-Puerto Rico Academic Collaboration Fellow, Governor Hochul announced a new partnership between the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. Through the partnership, 10 students from the State University of New York at Buffalo and 10 students from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez will participate in a hydrogeology field research exchange program during the spring 2027 semester. The exchange program will provide students from both institutions the opportunity to participate in comparative hydrological field experiences in Buffalo and Puerto Rico. The State University of New York at Buffalo students will learn field methods on Puerto Rico's tropical watersheds, and the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez students will learn field methods on Buffalo's groundwater and aquifers. The students, as well as one faculty member from each campus, will spend seven days at their exchange campus during the Spring 2027 semester.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "With strong support from Governor Hochul, and through innovative partnerships SUNY gives our students opportunities to prepare for their future careers and contribute to their professional success. Through these new initiatives, SUNY is continuing to expand our relationship with the University of Puerto Rico, while increasing educational opportunities that benefit students across both institutions. SUNY is proud to partner with the University of Puerto Rico and reaffirm our commitment to student success."

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "Through the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature, SUNY can invest in partnerships that provide our students with unique learning opportunities. We are proud to expand our strong partnership with the University of Puerto Rico, and provide more students with life-changing learning opportunities."

SUNY-Puerto Rico Academic Collaboration Fellow Dr. Luis Colִón said, "As a proud graduate of the University of Puerto Rico system and a longtime member of the SUNY community, I am honored to help strengthen the longstanding relationship between these two outstanding higher education systems. Having seen firsthand the transformative impact these connections can have on students' lives, I look forward to building on this important work and creating even more pathways for the next generation of scholars and innovators."

In addition, SUNY campuses will continue their work to create or expand partnerships with the University of Puerto Rico. Campus initiatives include:

• Building on the State University of New York at Albany's longstanding research ties to the UPR system, President Havidán Rodríguez has dedicated up to $250,000 to accelerate joint public impact research projects with UPR that address significant public safety, health and quality of life needs on the island and overlap with the State University of New York at Albany's core research strengths. The funding, which falls under UAlbany's Catalyst 2030 plan, will kickstart projects on topics including artificial intelligence for sustainability and resilience, weather and climate extremes in Puerto Rico, the new energy and renewables economy, and climate, health, and mental health equity.
• SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University's Department of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences, through its Brooklyn Initiative to Develop Geriatrics Education (BRIDGE) Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program, will host a new competitive summer internship program in collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico. The eight-week program, funded through a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant, will offer selected gerontology and public health students from UPR supervised experiences in geriatrics, geriatric psychiatry, and Alzheimer's disease care, mentored research opportunities, didactic training aligned with the American Geriatrics Society competency framework, and community health education experiences serving Brooklyn's diverse older adult populations. Participants will receive a stipend to help defray living costs and travel. The program reflects SUNY Downstate's commitment to building a diverse, culturally competent geriatrics workforce equipped to address the growing needs of aging populations in underserved communities. Applications will be accepted beginning in January, with the program running during June and July.
• SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) engagement with the University of Puerto Rico spans research, student learning, sustainability initiatives, and collaborative forums focused on Puerto Rico, particularly Vieques. One initiative the campus has participated in includes an internship exchange program with the University of Puerto Rico and the conservation organization Para La Naturaleza, further strengthening connections that support SUNY-UPR engagement and student opportunities in Puerto Rico.
• SUNY Oswego has both semester and summer study abroad programs at the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras. The programs give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in Puerto Rican culture and daily life by taking university classes with local students and living in a residence hall on campus.
• SUNY Upstate Medical University hosts students from the University of Puerto Rico to conduct research through a summer internship exchange program supported by SUNY. The students participate in Upstate's 10-week Summer Undergraduate Research Program, which places them in biomedical and health sciences research labs, spanning fields from biochemistry and cell biology to physical therapy and behavioral science. In addition to their research, students participate in a weekly journal club led by SUNY Upstate graduate students, educational seminars and social activities. Each student works with a lead researcher and mentor, conducting research that culminates in a final paper and poster presentation.

State University of New York at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez said, "Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, New York's longstanding bonds to Puerto Rico have only strengthened. The University at Albany is proud to have developed strong research partnerships with the University of Puerto Rico system. When Hurricane Maria hit the island 10 years ago, UAlbany students, faculty, and staff moved quickly to provide much-needed support. Today, we are building on that relationship by funding research collaborations with UPR on topics including AI for sustainability and resilience, weather and climate extremes, renewable energy, and health equity. This accelerator fund is a powerful example of how we can put our scholarship and science into action to deliver positive impact for the communities we serve."

State University of New York at Buffalo President Caroline Attardo Genco said, "This partnership opens new doors for students and faculty at UB and across SUNY to learn, explore and make discoveries alongside their counterparts at the University of Puerto Rico. We are truly grateful to Gov. Kathy Hochul for championing this work and the hands-on field experiences it will create for our students. It is especially meaningful that UB's own Dr. Luis Colón will lead SUNY's systemwide collaboration with UPR. Throughout his years at UB, he helped many young scientists from his native Puerto Rico go on to rewarding careers in research, and that experience makes him exceptionally well suited to carry this effort forward."

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University President Wayne J. Riley, M.D., said, "Governor Hochul's commitment to SUNY provides an important foundation for partnerships that expand educational opportunities. Through our collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico, students, clinicians, and researchers from both institutions will have opportunities to learn from one another, while students gain valuable hands-on experience in geriatrics and Alzheimer's disease care. This work brings our institutions together to address the complexities of aging and the needs of older adults and their families."

SUNY ESF President Joanie Mahoney said , "ESF is proud to continue this partnership with the University of Puerto Rico and Para La Naturaleza, which provides students with extraordinary opportunities to engage in hands-on environmental research. We are grateful for Gov. Kathy Hochul's commitment to strengthening ties between New York and Puerto Rico and supporting initiatives that expand educational opportunity and environmental stewardship. By studying water quality, biodiversity, and conservation practices in Puerto Rico, students gain valuable experience addressing complex environmental challenges while contributing to efforts that support climate resilience and the sustainable stewardship of natural resources."

SUNY Oswego President Peter O. Nwosu said, "We are pleased to have a long-running partnership with institutions in Puerto Rico. Our partners have offered many excellent research and service learning opportunities that always expand the horizons of the students who participate. These magnificent partnerships truly allow SUNY Oswego students to grow, connect and thrive."

SUNY Upstate Medical University President Mantosh Dewan, MD, "These internships provide students with valuable opportunities to gain hands-on research experience, learn from accomplished faculty and mentors, and explore possibilities for their future careers in biomedical science. We are pleased to partner with SUNY and the University of Puerto Rico on this initiative and look forward to expanding opportunities for more students to benefit from the outstanding research environment at Upstate."

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Chair of the Higher Education Committee said, "A textbook can only take a student so far. This exchange will give 20 students valuable experience and educationally connect them with colleagues across Lake Erie and the Caribbean Sea. It also strengthens the longstanding ties between New York and Puerto Rico. I thank Chancellor King, the SUNY Board of Trustees, and the University of Puerto Rico for making this possible."

State Senator Gustavo Rivera said, "This internship exchange is an incredible opportunity to connect students across New York and Puerto Rico while investing in the next generation of environmental leaders. By providing hands-on research experience, fostering cultural exchange, and expanding access to meaningful internships, we are preparing our students to tackle climate challenges and build a more sustainable future. I applaud SUNY Buffalo, the University of Puerto Rico, and Para La Naturaleza for continuing this important partnership."

State Senator-Elect Jon D. Rivera said, "Buffalo and Puerto Rico share deep cultural, familial, and community connections, and I'm proud to see those ties reflected in opportunities that bring our students together. Partnerships like this demonstrate the power of higher education to connect communities, open doors, and create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. The University at Buffalo is a tremendous asset to Western New York, and as I prepare to represent UB and our surrounding communities in the State Senate, I look forward to supporting SUNY's continued investment in research, academic collaboration, and transformative educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. I commend Chancellor King and both universities for making this partnership possible."

State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, "The exchange program between students from the University at Buffalo and students from the University of Puerto Rico is a big win for both institutions. My hope is that this partnership grows to include other fields of study. The ability to learn abroad is a great experience for students. I commend SUNY Chancellor John B. King and the SUNY Board of Trustees for continuing to broaden the horizons for SUNY students."

State Assemblymember Karen McMahon said, "This is an exciting and valuable opportunity to bring together two distinguished institutions of higher education and research: the University at Buffalo and the University of Puerto Rico. I am grateful to Chancellor King for selecting UB to participate in this program and for fostering a partnership that will strengthen collaboration between these two universities. UB has a proud history of pioneering scientific research, and this initiative marks an exciting new chapter in that legacy."

The new initiatives between SUNY and the University of Puerto Rico showcase SUNY's commitment to collaborating with partners to increase opportunities for students, and awareness of career paths available to them. Recently, SUNY announced the third year of the internship exchange program between the University of Puerto Rico and Para La Naturaleza, as well as a field research partnership between the State University of New York at Buffalo and University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. In April, SUNYhighlighted the partnership with Para La Naturaleza during the 2026 SOMOS Conference in Albany. In 2023, Governor Hochulannounced a five-year collaboration between the University of Puerto Rico and SUNY during the SOMOS conference in Puerto Rico. SUNY has also launched internship partnerships with theNew York State Association of Counties, theNew York State Insurance Fund, as well as programs including theSUNY Educational Opportunity Career Development Internship Program,Chancellor's Summer Research Excellence Fund, theSUNY Institute for Local News, theVeterans Enrollment and Support Internship Program, and theSUNY Climate Corps.

About The State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country's oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.16 billion in fiscal year 2024, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visitwww.suny.edu.