A year after expanding its SUNY ASAP program, Finger Lakes Community College is seeing results — and students are sharing how the extra support is changing their lives.
ASAP, short for Advancing Success in Associate Pathways, offers eligible students help with textbooks, transportation, groceries, childcare, and more. It also provides personalized academic advising and career coaching.
The program grew from 35 students in spring 2024 to 150 by that fall. FLCC says 83.9% of those ASAP students stayed enrolled from fall to spring — compared to 75.2% of the overall student body.
“I feel motivated, I feel organized, I feel like I transitioned perfectly to this school,” said business student Chinemere Ezeani, one of several participants who spoke at an Oct. 1 event.
Maria Lopez of Rushville returned to school after a long break — and says the ASAP team, especially assistant director Nissa Youngren and success coach Bryce Preston, have kept her going.
“When I’ve come to them to say, ‘I want to quit,’ both of them tell me to keep going,” she said.
Other students echoed those feelings, calling the program a lifeline. “ASAP really has made my experience at FLCC a lot better than if it didn’t exist in the first place,” said creative writing student Evelyn Mack.
Learn more about the program at flcc.edu/suny-asap.
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