Billie Coddington (right) with ACE Director Sue McGee.
Program provides academic, financial and personal support to help students stay on track toward graduation
SUNY Fredonia has expanded its Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) program to serve 300 students this fall, supported by a $555,000 state allocation for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The expansion is part of a statewide initiative to improve college completion rates, remove financial barriers and provide students with the resources they need to earn their degrees.
Fredonia representatives recently joined students, administrators and SUNY leaders from across western New York at SUNY Buffalo State University to highlight the impact of ACE and its companion program, Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP), on student success throughout the SUNY system.
“At SUNY Fredonia, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their financial circumstances or the challenges they may face,” said SUNY Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. “The ACE program advances our commitment to social mobility by providing students with the academic guidance, financial assistance and personal support that can make the difference between leaving college and earning a degree. Expanding this program means we can help more students achieve their goals and prepare for successful futures.”
Launched across SUNY in 2024, ASAP and ACE are designed to help students make steady progress toward graduation and prepare for opportunities beyond college through a combination of financial resources, academic guidance and peer support, Eligible students receive personalized academic advisement, career development assistance and financial support for expenses such as textbooks, groceries, transportation and other costs associated with attending college.
With support from Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, SUNY is expanding the programs to serve 10,000 students at 44 campuses this fall. An additional $8 million in the enacted 2026-27 state budget brings the annual state investment in ASAP and ACE to $20 million.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY is committed to the success of every student, and the continued expansion of ASAP|ACE program will help participating students complete their degree on time, achieve their dreams, and move forward on a path to upward mobility. I am thrilled that through the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature these programs will serve 10,000 students across the state and serve as a model for other institutions to follow.”
Across SUNY, students participating in ASAP and ACE have demonstrated stronger academic momentum, attempting and earning more credits and returning for subsequent semesters at higher rates than students not enrolled in the programs.
At Fredonia, ACE combines individualized advising and financial assistance with opportunities for students to develop connections and build a sense of belonging on campus.
“The growth of ACE at Fredonia means we can provide more students with the individualized support they need to succeed in college,” said Sue McGee, Ph.D., who is ACE Program Director at SUNY Fredonia. “Just as importantly, we're helping students build confidence, develop a sense of belonging and stay on track toward earning their degrees.”
“ACE has helped me build social connections while also staying on top of my academics.” - Billie Coddington
Among the students benefiting from the program is Billie Coddington, a junior Business Administration major and Accounting minor from Williamsville, NY, who represented Fredonia at the recent western New York ACE/ASAP media event at Buffalo State. “Throughout my time in the ACE program at SUNY Fredonia, it has been a lifesaver, and I can't imagine going through college without it,” Coddington said. “ACE has helped me build social connections while also staying on top of my academics.”
Coddington, who also serves as an ACE peer leader, said the program has helped them manage college expenses, plan for the future and share what they have learned with fellow students. “With the support of my advisors and financial assistance, I've been able to focus more on my schoolwork without worrying as much about missing important resources or opportunities,” Coddington said.
For Avalyn Hall, a first-year student from Dansville, NY, who is double majoring in Psychology and Business Administration, ACE has helped ease the transition to college. “Beyond the financial support, the social benefits have been invaluable,” Hall said. “The ACE seminar has been particularly helpful, as it provides a space to connect with peers facing similar experiences, share tips, and learn strategies for navigating college life.”
Benton Good, a senior Music Industry major and Arts Administration minor from Elmira, NY, said the opportunity to serve as an ACE leader has added another dimension to his college experience. “Being an ACE leader has given my college life an added purpose by allowing me to provide advice for new students and share my experiences on campus,” Good said. “The social connections that this program provides is also invaluable and brings a sense of belonging to all that are involved.”
