Program reaches 300 students as university expands support for student success
UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is celebrating the continued growth of its
Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) program, which has expanded to serve 300
students during the 2026-27 academic year.
SUNY Poly initially launched ACE with a cohort of 32 students in Spring 2024. The program
quickly expanded to 150 students in Fall 2024, grew to 250 students last year, and now serves
300 students this fall, reflecting SUNY Poly’s continued investment in providing students with
the resources and support they need to succeed.
“Reaching 300 ACE students is an exciting milestone for SUNY Poly and, more importantly,
means that even more of our students have access to the resources and individualized support
that can help them succeed,” said SUNY Poly President Dr. Winston Soboyejo. “Student success
is at the heart of our mission, and ACE demonstrates what is possible when we work
intentionally to remove barriers and provide students with the support they need to remain on
track, complete their degrees, and prepare for what comes next.”
SUNY launched its Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and ACE programs in 2024
to provide participating students with comprehensive support designed to address barriers to
degree completion. Through an additional $8 million allocated in the FY2026-27 Enacted State
Budget, ASAP|ACE is expanding to serve 10,000 students at 44 SUNY campuses by the Fall 2026
semester.
“SUNY is committed to the success of every student, and the continued expansion of ASAP|ACE
program will help participating students complete their degree on time, achieve their dreams,
and move forward on a path to upward mobility,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “I am
thrilled that through the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature these
programs will serve 10,000 students across the state and serve as a model for other institutions
to follow.”
At SUNY Poly, ACE provides participating students with personalized advisement, academic
assistance, career development opportunities, and financial support to help cover costs such as
textbooks, groceries, transportation, and other expenses associated with attending college.
Together, these resources are designed to help students maintain academic momentum and
complete their degrees on time.
The program is led at SUNY Poly by ACE Director Dawn Burns, with advisors Mya Kyaw and
Alexandria Butka providing individualized guidance and support to participating students.
“ACE is about meeting students where they are and making sure they know they have someone
in their corner throughout their college journey,” said Burns. “As the program has grown, we
have been able to reach more students, build stronger relationships, and create a community
where students feel supported and connected. We are excited to welcome this year’s ACE
students and continue helping them work toward their academic, personal, and professional
goals.”
SUNY Poly celebrated the program’s continued growth during an event on campus Wednesday,
September 23, bringing together university leaders, students, ACE staff, SUNY representatives,
and community and government partners.
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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, located in Utica, N.Y., is a vibrant and inclusive community where
students, faculty, and staff are empowered through a forward-looking STEAM education and
dynamic campus experience. Founded in 1966, SUNY Poly is currently celebrating its 60th
anniversary, marking six decades of impact, innovation, and service to the Mohawk Valley and
beyond. As New York State’s premier public polytechnic, SUNY Poly fosters innovation and
interdisciplinary learning across its four colleges—Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and
Health Sciences—preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Guided by a bold vision for societal impact, SUNY Poly advances use-inspired research and
transformative collaborations that drive economic development, technological progress, and
humanitarian solutions—locally in the Mohawk Valley and globally across diverse communities. For
more info, visit http://www.sunypoly.edu
