RCC Supports Adult Learners with New Office

Rockland Community College (RCC) recently celebrated the opening of its new SUNY Reconnect Office, marking an important step in expanding support for adult learners in higher education. The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together campus leadership, students, and community partners to highlight RCC’s commitment to increasing access, opportunity, and pathways to degree completion.

Located in the lobby of the Technology Center, the SUNY Reconnect Office will serve as a central hub for adults seeking start or continuing their college journey. The office provides personalized guidance on admissions, academic programs, financial aid, and program support, removing barriers and creating a clear path for returning students to achieve their educational and career goals.

Launched this year, SUNY Reconnect offers free tuition to New York residents between the ages of 25 and 55 who have not previously completed a college degree and who enroll in a full or part -time associates degree program in a high demand field. Currently, eligible RCC programs include:

• Automotive Technology
• Cyber Security
• Education (Adolescent, Childhood, or Early Childhood)
• Engineering Science
• Environmental Science
• Healthcare Science
• Information Technology
• Math and Computer Science
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy Assistant

“At Rockland Community College, we remain committed to supporting every learner at every stage of life,” said Dr. Bill Mullaney, President of Rockland Community College. “The SUNY Reconnect Office gives adult learners direct access to the resources, guidance, and support they need to acquire the skills that lead to family-sustaining wages in high-demand careers.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “Governor Hochul’s SUNY Reconnect program serves as an important driver of upward mobility for adult learners throughout New York State. Congratulations to Rockland Community College on the grand opening of their new SUNY Reconnect Office, which will help further empower students seeking to advance their academic and professional careers through a high-quality SUNY education.”

For more information about SUNY Reconnect at RCC, please visit sunyrockland.edu/freecc, email reconnect@sunyrockland.edu, or call (845) 574-4240. Interested adult learners can visit the SUNY Reconnect Office in the lobby of the Technology Center at RCC to talk with a SUNY Reconnect Ambassador on Mondays through Thursdays, from 1 PM to 8 PM.

About Rockland Community College, State University of New York

Founded in 1959, Rockland Community College (RCC) provides students with a high-quality education that is both affordable and accessible. The College offers 35 degree and 3 certificate programs, and a faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. In addition to its main campus in Suffern, RCC operates a Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center in Nyack, and its Automotive Technology Center in Orangeburg. For more information about RCC, please visit sunyrockland.edu.