Dr. Brian Durant Special to The Citizen
A semester is made up of memorable moments, but the beginning of the semester at Cayuga Community College is always the best time. The anticipation is exhilarating as students return to campus and freshmen begin their journey into higher education. A reminder why all of us at Cayuga started working in academia to support students in our community and guide them in this chapter of their lives.
Preparing for that moment is my goal every summer at Cayuga. This summer has probably been more of a whirlwind than most, with the semester starting on August 29th. Both the Auburn and Fulton campuses have seen significant changes in the last four months. New academic, athletic and workforce initiatives await students’ return home. This fall is sure to be an exciting time for students to take advantage of these new opportunities.
Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul expanded the state’s essential tuition assistance program to provide financial assistance to part-time students who earn six or more credits per semester. Approximately 75,000 students will receive TAP. This is tremendous progress, especially for our students. Many of them are working, raising families, and fulfilling other responsibilities while trying to complete their degree. On behalf of Cayuga and his students, I would like to thank her Governor Hochul for taking this step and continuing to make higher education accessible and affordable in New York.
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Earlier this summer, our college community was very proud when SUNY chose us as one of four community colleges to begin offering educational opportunity programs. EOP is a foundational initiative of SUNY that prioritizes students from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing academic advice and counseling, tutoring and additional tutoring, and financial assistance. EOP also provides guidance to students wishing to transfer to her desired four-year college. We are proud to be one of the SUNY institutions offering this program and are committed to our goal of expanding access to higher education and enhancing the academic experience of these students.
But the launch of EOP in Cayuga isn’t the only exciting development coming this fall. Over the past two years, we have seen students thrive in an online-dominated academic environment. During this year, we began a gradual return to face-to-face learning. Students are responding positively to the new sense of community they find in classrooms and student events. After listening to our students and evaluating their preferences, we will be bringing more classes back to campus this fall with the addition of an in-person component to many of our online courses. We look forward to seeing our students continue to energize the community on campus.
However, students who prefer an online learning environment will not be disappointed. Even before the pandemic, Cayuga has been actively developing virtual courses and has continued to do so. Students can now take courses in-person, online, live-online, or a hybrid of these options to suit their needs and schedule. It is student success that counts, and providing the key to student academic progress by featuring courses in a flexible format is critical to that success.
New opportunities are available to Cayuga students this fall, both in person and online. Our new music program has created a path for students interested in a career as a composer, educator, or performer to obtain a degree and transfer to continue their education. Our athletic programs, including new esports and clay target teams, are ready to compete. Our Kayuga Culinary Institute and Human Services programs are doing well, with the latter program surpassing her initial two-year enrollment projections.
Dr. Brian Durant
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Other recent developments in Cayuga would not have been possible without the spirit of teamwork and community that exists among Cayuga County-Oswego’s larger business, education, and service communities. In the region, we have found creative partners who recognize that working together is the best way for us all to grow, adapt and thrive.
Cayuga County is partnering with the Auburn Expanded Urban School District for a new high school equivalence program beginning this fall. Students referred by the school district not only receive training to earn their GED, but also have access to career-based resources. Oswego County needed manufacturing partners to complete the Advanced Manufacturing Institute this past May. This state-of-the-art facility gives students access to dynamic career training to help them excel in the local workforce. Also, in both counties, countless institutions are making strides to help students in human services and other degree programs access internships and gain the experience they need to become integral members of the workforce. Did.
Combined with established services, these new opportunities demonstrate the diverse avenues available at Cayuga for students to explore their personal and professional potential. Whether they’re looking for a career-focused training program, or taking their first steps in academia before moving on to their next assignment, Cayuga has a team of people and talents eager to help them succeed. There is a program for teachers with
I hope the rest of your summer is enjoyable for you. We look forward to sharing updates from Cayuga with our community in 2023.
Dr. Brian Durant is President of Cayuga Community College. For more information, visit cayuga-cc.edu or call (315) 255-1743.
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