Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was back in her hometown Monday to announce a new expansion of her free community college initiative for state residents between ages 25 and 55, as part of her actions to proactively address the unprecedented impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the workforce.
Starting in January, New Yorkers ages 25-to-55 can enroll in a SUNY or CUNY associate degree program in a high-demand field for free, even if they have already completed a college degree in a different area. The initiative will increase access for tens of thousands more adult learners by allowing individuals with existing credentials to pivot careers and gain valuable qualifications in high-growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing without accumulating debt for tuition, fees, books and supplies.
Monday’s expansion builds on the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect program that Gov. Hochul launched in 2025, which has already helped over 15,000 adult learners access free community college in high-demand fields – helping them save thousands of dollars per-year.
This expansion also comes just days after federal data showed that New York State had the fastest-growing economy in the nation in the second quarter of 2026. New York’s real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an annual rate of 4.0% from the first quarter to the second, which was the highest of any state and nearly double the national growth rate of 2.2%.
“As AI continues to reshape the global economy, I’m taking action to ensure more New Yorkers have the skills they need to succeed," said Gov. Hochul on Monday while at Northland Workforce Training Center. “By expanding access to free community college, we’re making it even easier for adult learners to pivot into fast-growing, high-demand sectors without taking on a single dollar of tuition debt.”
Eligible New Yorkers will be able to start applying to enroll under this initiative over the coming months, based on the individual application periods for each SUNY or CUNY campus.
By making it easier and more affordable for tens of thousands more adults to get an associate degree in a different field, New York is opening new pathways for those looking to pivot or reskill and transition into high-demand, growing industries such as cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, or many other fields that will continue to be shaped by the impacts of AI.
Through this investment, New York continues to break down financial barriers for working adults and non-traditional students. The initiative reinforces the state’s commitment to leveraging public higher education as an engine for economic opportunity, ensuring New York’s workforce remains competitive and talent pipelines remain strong.
Gov. Hochul’s approach to addressing AI workforce impacts also includes her FutureWorks Commission, which will help New York develop comprehensive new policies in the coming year regarding job training and placement, improving job quality, strengthening the social safety net and supporting small businesses. The FutureWorks Commission will deliver its policy proposals by the end of December in order to shape new state policies for the coming year.
This is part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's actions to address AI’s impact on the workforce
This is part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's actions to address AI’s impact on the workforce
