Rockland Community College Welcomes SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. During SUNY Reconnect Tour

Rockland Community College (RCC) proudly welcomed State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. to campus today as part of his statewide SUNY Reconnect Tour. The visit celebrated the launch of SUNY Reconnect, a program that provides eligible adult learners ages 25–55 with free tuition, fees, books, and supplies to pursue associate degrees in high-demand fields.

Chancellor King’s visit highlighted RCC’s dedication to supporting adult learners and creating clear pathways to family-sustaining careers through its twelve SUNY Reconnect programs, including Occupational Therapy Assistant, Nursing, and Automotive Technology.

Accompanied by RCC President Dr. William Mullaney, Chancellor King toured several campus sites, including the new RCC SUNY Reconnect Office; the Growing Together Lounge, a dedicated space where student parents can study while their children play; and the Hawk’s Hub Food Pantry, which provides students with both perishable and nonperishable food as well as personal hygiene products. The tour’s main stop featured RCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Lab, where students demonstrated hands-on learning.

“We’re honored to welcome Chancellor King to Rockland Community College as part of the SUNY Reconnect Tour,” said Dr. Mullaney. “By removing financial barriers for adults returning to college, SUNY Reconnect is making education more accessible and helping individuals gain the skills needed in high-demand fields that lead to family-sustaining wages.”

The visit concluded with a roundtable discussion that brought together Chancellor King, Dr. Mullaney, SUNY Reconnect students, local business leaders to discuss student experiences leading them to RCC and the SUNY Reconnect program, workforce development, and pathways for adult learners. The conversation underscored the vital collaboration between higher education, industry, and community partners in strengthening Rockland County’s economic future through access to education and training.

“SUNY Rockland Community College empowers students with the opportunity to transform their lives, make an impact, and chase their dreams with a high-quality education,” said Chancellor King. “Through the SUNY Reconnect program, community colleges across New York have been able to welcome adult learners to pursue degrees in high-demand fields with free tuition, fees, books, and supplies. I applaud Rockland Community College for providing a well-rounded and engaging education to adult learners to help them advance their careers, enrich their communities, and support our economy.”

For more information on SUNY Reconnect at Rockland Community College, please visit the RCC Reconnect website, or email reconnect@sunyrockland.edu.

About Rockland Community College, State University of New York

Founded in 1959, Rockland Community College (RCC) provides students with a high-quality education that is both affordable and accessible. The College offers 35 degree and 3 certificate programs, and a faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. In addition to its main campus in Suffern, RCC operates a Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center in Nyack, and its Automotive Technology Center in Orangeburg. For more information about RCC, please visit sunyrockland.edu.