UAlbany to Welcome 150 Students to SUNY’s ACE Program, Helping More New Yorkers Earn Degrees

By Amy Geduldig

Albany, N. Y (June 18, 2025) — UAlbany announced today the campus will be a part of the expansion of SUNY ASAP|ACE, the nation’s leading evidence-based retention and completion model. The program provides financial resources and wraparound supports to remove barriers to full-time study, helping students gain and maintain academic momentum and creating a connected community among students, all in service of increasing timely degree completion.  

The University will welcome an initial cohort of 150 students into its ACE program this fall thanks to new funding from the FY26 State Budget that places SUNY ASAP|ACE on the path to reach 10,000 students by Fall 2026. More information about the program at UAlbany is available at Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) Program website.

"As one of the most diverse R1 universities in the country and a recognized national leader in social mobility for our students, UAlbany is deeply committed to providing students with the academic foundation and resources they need to thrive in college and beyond," UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez said. "We are proud to partner with SUNY in expanding ASAP|ACE, a program that empowers students and removes the barriers and obstacles that limit their success. With the support of Gov. Hochul and the New York State Legislature, we will be able to help more students earn their degrees."

Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) targets baccalaureate students and the Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) program directly supports students looking to complete their associate degrees. Across SUNY, ASAP|ACE will increase from 4,270 students at 25 SUNY campuses in Fall 2024 to 7,050 students at 34 SUNY campuses in Fall 2025.  

SUNY Chancellor John B. King said, “SUNY is committed to the success of every student, and ASAP|ACE is a proven, evidence-based strategy to improve retention and completion. I am thrilled that through Gov. Hochul’s leadership and the support of the legislature, SUNY is expanding this vital program to even more students and campuses across the SUNY system.”  

Preliminary outcomes data across current ASAP|ACE partner campuses demonstrate participating students have higher credit completion and persistence rates than similar non-ASAP|ACE students. ASAP students pursuing associate degrees have a 20 percent higher credit completion rate than non-ASAP students (73 percent versus 61 percent). ASAP students also have a higher spring-fall persistence rate: 80 percent for ASAP versus 72 percent for non-ASAP students. Additionally, ACE students pursuing bachelor’s degrees at a SUNY State operated campuses have a 9 percent higher credit completion rate than similar non-ACE students (89 percent versus 82 percent). ACE students also have higher spring-fall persistence rates: 88 percent for ACE versus 85 percent for non-ACE students.