News & Updates
Achieving the Dream (ATD) is stepping up in a major way to support adult learners in New York State. Through a competitive selection process, ATD has been chosen to provide expert services to 22 community colleges within the State University of New York (SUNY) system. This ambitious project — SUNY’s Adult Learner Leadership Initiative — comes with a $1.1 million grant announced in February by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and it promises to reshape postsecondary education for working-age adults across the state.
Driving transformation for adult learners
With a growing need for skilled workers and an increasing number of adults seeking to enhance their career prospects, this initiative couldn’t come at a better time. ATD’s team of expert coaches will guide participating colleges in creating and implementing wide-ranging action plans to advance success among adult learners as they earn college credentials that lead to upward mobility.
Key areas of focus include the following:
- Expanding Credit for Prior Learning Programs: Recognizing and awarding credit for skills and knowledge that adult learners have already acquired through work and life experience
- Strengthening Marketing and Outreach Strategies: Ensuring that prospective adult students know about the opportunities available to them and feel supported in their decision to return to school
- Breaking Down Policy Barriers: Addressing systemic hurdles that prevent adult learners from enrolling, persisting, and completing their credentials
A commitment to workforce readiness and economic growth
“Our community colleges are transforming lives every day. From workforce development initiatives to the newly launched Adult Learner Leadership Initiative, these efforts are making a real difference,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “Thanks to the continued support of Gov. Hochul and the legislature, SUNY is successfully preparing the future workforce of New York State.”
This initiative builds on Gov. Hochul’s proposal, unveiled in January, to provide free community college tuition, including costs for fees, books, and supplies, to New Yorkers age 25–55 who do not yet hold a postsecondary degree. The plan focuses on high-demand fields such as nursing, teaching, technology, and engineering, ensuring that more working adults can gain the credentials needed to thrive in today’s economy.
Achieving the Dream: A proven partner in adult learner success
ATD’s selection for this initiative underscores its national leadership in transforming community colleges to better serve adult learners. “We are thrilled to be partnering with SUNY in this very important work,” said ATD President and CEO Dr. Karen A. Stout. “Achieving the Dream has a wealth of experience leading innovation in the adult learner space that will serve us well in this endeavor. Moreover, our focus on transforming community colleges into launchpads for both economic mobility of individuals and families and prosperity for entire communities is very much in alignment with SUNY’s desire to bring economic opportunity to working-age residents through postsecondary credentials. We are excited to get underway.”
ATD’s role in this initiative expands on the success of its prior work in the adult learner realm. This includes the recently concluded Improving Economic Mobility for Adult Learners initiative with Jobs for the Future, which aimed to expand upon and enhance policies designed and implemented by states and institutions specifically to improve outcomes for community and technical college adult learners (age 21 and older) who have not yet attained a postsecondary credential.
ATD is also nearing the end of an eight-month planning process of the its Strategic Enrollment Management for Adult Learners initiative, focused on developing research-based tools to help colleges craft strategic enrollment management plans that prioritize learners age 23 and older.
A bright future for adult learners in New York
The momentum behind this initiative signals a major shift in how community colleges are supporting adult students. With ATD’s leadership and expertise, SUNY’s Adult Learner Leadership Initiative is poised to make a lasting impact — removing barriers, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that more working-age adults can achieve their academic and career goals.
Stay tuned as ATD and SUNY’s 22 participating colleges embark on this transformative journey to empower adult learners across New York State.