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The State University of New York system launched a new campaign Wednesday to highlight the value of its 30 community colleges and encourage people to enroll. The "Stay Near, Go Far" campaign calls on alumni to post stories on social media about their career accomplishments after graduating from SUNY campuses, using the hashtag #CommunityCollegeGotMeHere. The campaign will continue through Sept. 1.
“By using SUNY alumni, we are showing individuals seeking that opportunity to upward mobility that a SUNY education, especially at one of our community colleges, can put you on a path of prosperity,” SUNY chancellor Jim Malatras said in a release. “Now more than ever, jobs require upskilling and some post-secondary credential and as the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the country, SUNY will lead the way.”
The campaign is intended to complement the SUNY for All program, the free Online Training Center launched by the system this spring. Students who complete any one of the center’s certificates and have a high school diploma or equivalent are automatically accepted to any SUNY campus. Students can apply for the fall 2021 semester at SUNY colleges through the summer with no application fee, offering flexibility to students who may have delayed their college decisions due to the pandemic.
These efforts come at a time when community colleges have experienced notable enrollment drops amid COVID-19. The SUNY system’s overall enrollment fell by 5.1 percent in fall 2020 compared to the prior academic year. Across the system's community colleges, fall enrollment declined by almost 10 percent, consistent with the national average for public two-year institutions.
“The past 15 months have shown us that our community colleges matter now more than ever -- they are a gateway to providing New Yorkers with access to a high-quality, accessible education, and in turn more educational and job opportunities,” SUNY board trustee and chair of the Community Colleges Committee Robert J. Duffy said in a release. “The stories shared through the ‘Stay Near, Go Far’ ad campaign highlight the many routes you can take after attending a community college and offer up inspiration for individuals of all ages and backgrounds who are looking to pursue an education.”
