SUNY Adirondack has received a $500,000 Community Schools Grant from the SUNY system.

The grant, administered over 3 years, was awarded to help the college improve student outcomes by utilizing community college facilities as hubs for accessing support services. SUNY Adirondack plans to use the funds to help students meet external needs that can potentially derail their college education.

During the 3-year grant period, the college will work to connect students with community resources, providing completion coaches and developing systems to support transportation from the region’s rural areas.

"Many students have complex lives outside of the classroom that require connections with the myriad of community services already in place, but at times are not readily accessible,” said SUNY Adirondack President Dr. Kristine Duffy. “This grant will support our work to help better facilitate and connect students and their families with the resources needed to make college completion attainable."

Project goals include increasing the 3-year graduation rate, the 2-year graduation rate, fall-to-fall retention and the number of students utilizing services on and off campus.

In fall 2015, SUNY Adirondack served as host to more than 25 regional social service providers to identify the critical needs of more vulnerable populations in the region and discuss resources needed by partners to be more effective in supporting these needs. The group identified multiple issues, which the college used as a framework for the grant proposal.

SUNY Adirondack and Onondaga Community College were the only two colleges to receive the grant this year.