College Launches ASAP Program and Opens Student Success Center

October 9, 2024

Hudson Valley Community College has announced the start of the Advancing Success in Student Pathways (ASAP) program in partnership with SUNY as well as the opening of a new Student Success Center on the main campus.

ASAP is a free, comprehensive support program designed to provide added personal, academic and financial assistance to help students earn their degrees on time. The wrap-around program provides students with a dedicated academic advisor, access to academic coaching and career planning services as well as access to outside community services. Assistance with textbooks and student fees are also provided to those who continue in the program.

First created at the City University of New York (CUNY) over a decade ago, ASAP is one of CUNY’s most successful retention and degree completion initiatives, with students in the program graduating at a rate more than double that of similar students. Hudson Valley joined 12 other SUNY two-year colleges by launching the ASAP program with the help of a three-year SUNY grant.

In addition to SUNY, Hudson Valley also partners with the Brightway Foundation Education Fund to provide additional financial supports and specialized assistance to student-parents, who have a unique set of needs to attend to while earning their degree.

This spring, the college initiated its ASAP program with a pilot cohort of 29 students from a handful of eligible degree programs. Now during the fall semester, the program serves 159 in more than 45 degree and certificate programs, 39 of which are student-parents.

"Hudson Valley Community College is proud to launch this transformative program that will support our students as they navigate their college journey," said Officer in Charge Louis Coplin. "Everyone's college experience looks different, and we are committed to providing students with the resources and support they need to complete their degrees on time. I can't wait to see how this life-changing program will positively impact our students."

The program is located in the new Student Success Center in the college’s Siek Campus Center. Also home to the Success Among Student Parents program or SASP, the Center offers guidance and support to students in need by connecting them with a wealth of on- and off-campus resources. Staff work with the Healthy Alliance Network and the college’s Foundation to provide students with access to many resources, such as food assistance, housing and shelter, mental health evaluation and support, education and employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, among others.

Students in the program must meet certain eligibility requirements and participate in a number of academic support and wellness activities throughout the year. Complete details on eligibility, services and contact information for Hudson Valley’s ASAP staff are available on the ASAP program’s webpage. For more information on the new Student Success Center, visit the Student Success Center webpage at www.hvcc.edu/success.