State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King Jr. has announced new financial support and technical assistance aimed at improving student retention and completion rates through the Academic Momentum Campaign. This initiative, first introduced in Chancellor King’s 2025 State of the University Address, seeks to expand evidence-based strategies for student success across SUNY campuses.
The campaign builds on the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs/Accelerate, Complete, Engage (ASAP|ACE), a leading national model for increasing college retention and graduation rates. With funding from Governor Kathy Hochul and legislative support, more than 7,000 SUNY students are currently enrolled in ASAP|ACE. The Academic Momentum Campaign aims to extend several key components of this program—such as high-quality advising and personalized student support—to more campuses.
In addition to leveraging internal models like ASAP|ACE, SUNY institutions will adopt best practices from colleges nationwide that have achieved strong results in supporting students who face greater barriers to degree completion.
“Nobody goes to college thinking they will drop out, and SUNY’s Academic Momentum Campaign is furthering our efforts to help every student thrive at SUNY campuses,” King said. “SUNY is providing historic levels of support to make sure our campuses can help each student succeed academically and grow personally. Through evidence-based strategies and strong support from SUNY, we know that our students will benefit from this initiative.”
Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith commented on the campaign’s importance: “Student success is at the heart of our mission at Stony Brook because our students are the future innovators and leaders within industry, academia, government, and their communities across our great state and around the country,” she said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate closely with Chancellor King and the SUNY Board of Trustees as they launch the Academic Momentum Campaign. This ambitious initiative will ensure that we are supporting and preparing all Stony Brook students for professional and personal success while bringing our university to new heights of excellence and impact.”
SUNY campuses are now developing action plans designed to improve retention and graduation rates beginning with students entering in Fall 2026. To assist these campus-led efforts, SUNY will provide technical assistance from Student Success staff, access to written resources, webinars on effective practices both within SUNY institutions and nationally recognized programs, as well as regional planning summits.
“We are committed to supporting every SUNY student to succeed and make the most of their experience at the SUNY institution of their choice, and the Academic Momentum Campaign is part of that ongoing effort,” said the SUNY Board of Trustees. “We will work with each of our campuses to ensure all SUNY students have the support and services they deserve to thrive academically and be ready to move forward after graduation.”