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Rockland Community College (RCC) today announced the expansion of Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP), SUNY’s nationally recognized student retention and completion program. Through this expansion, RCC will double the number of students receiving critical academic and financial support, increasing the total from 150 to 300, helping more students maintain momentum and complete their degrees on time.
ASAP provides associate degree students with a comprehensive network of supports designed to remove barriers to completion. Students receive assistance covering key costs including textbooks, transportation and groceries, along with personalized academic advising, tutoring and career development services.
Rockland Community College is part of SUNY’s systemwide expansion of ASAP, the nation’s leading college retention and completion model, which will serve 10,000 students across 44 SUNY campuses by the fall 2026 semester. ASAP supports students in gaining and maintaining academic momentum, improving persistence and on-time graduation rates.
The expansion is made possible through an additional $8 million in funding included in the FY2026–27 enacted state budget, bringing the total annual state investment in ASAP to $20 million.
Since launching at RCC in spring 2024, ASAP has demonstrated strong outcomes for student success. The program has achieved a 90% to 92% spring-to-fall persistence rate, significantly exceeding typical community college benchmarks, along with retention rates ranging from 80% to 88% across cohorts. ASAP students are maintaining full-time academic momentum, averaging 15 credits per semester, helping keep them on track for timely graduation. To date, more than $400,000 in targeted financial support has been distributed reducing barriers to continued enrollment. In spring 2026, 38 students graduated through the program, with an additional 24 students expected to complete their degrees by the end of the summer term.
“ASAP is helping students stay focused on their goals and make steady progress toward graduation,” said Dr. William Mullaney, President of Rockland Community College. “By expanding the program, we can extend proven academic and financial supports to more students, helping them overcome challenges, persist in their studies, and complete their degrees.”
"The RCC ASAP program helped me stay motivated and supported throughout college," said Sonia Amezquita, a spring 2026 ASAP graduate. "The advisors were always there when I needed guidance, and the assistance with transportation and other resources helped ease the challenges of being a student. Because of ASAP, I was able to stay focused on my goals and earn my degree."
“SUNY is committed to the success of every student, and the continued expansion of ASAP will help ensure our students can complete their degree on time, achieve their goals, and move forward on a path to upward mobility,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “I am grateful for the support of Governor Kathy Hochul, the State Legislature and the SUNY Board of Trustees, and I thank the Rockland Community College administration, faculty and staff for their commitment to student success.”
In addition to state investment, SUNY has received a $2 million renewal commitment from Brightway to support student parents who are primary caregivers. The funding will expand access to childcare support, emergency financial assistance and year-round enrollment opportunities, while strengthening pathways to internships and employment. The initiative also includes a pilot program supporting ASAP students transferring to SUNY four-year institutions.
For more information about ASAP at RCC, visit https://sunyrockland.edu/services/asap/.
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.
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