SUNY Adirondack reports stable spring enrollment, flags grant loss and workforce strategies

Anastasia Erst, a representative from SUNY Adirondack, told the Warren County Personnel Committee that the college’s spring enrollment is essentially flat compared with last year and that the institution is working to manage rising costs and flat revenue. Erst said the college has seen a proportional increase in students from Warren and Washington counties, which she attributed in part to the SUNY Reconnect program for learners aged roughly 25 to 55. "This spring, it's approaching 40 percent of our population are in that age group," she said.

Erst highlighted workforce-related programs and enrollment numbers, saying 205 nursing students are currently in training at the college. She described plans to use underutilized residence-hall space for J-1 workforce housing in partnership with the Lake George Chamber and Convention and Visitors Bureau, and said faculty are developing new degrees intended to align with regional industry hiring, including opportunities related to the Regeneron project in Saratoga County.

Erst also discussed fiscal pressures: the college closed the last fiscal year with a larger-than-expected deficit, she said, and administrators are reviewing positions, operational efficiencies and collaborations to balance the budget. She urged supervisors to refer adults who did not complete college to the Reconnect program and noted fundraising and grant-seeking efforts by the college foundation.

On federal grants, Erst said SUNY Adirondack lost an Upward Bound grant that supported high-school programming and that litigation is underway. She said the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a preliminary order asking the U.S. Department of Education to revisit similar grant decisions and that the college remains hopeful the funding may be restored. "There was nothing we did wrong," she said, adding, "We think maybe AI looked at our documents in some funny way."

Supervisors asked about enrollment declines from Saratoga County and heard explanations that competition among many nearby colleges likely contributes to shifting student choices. Committee members and other attendees praised the nursing program and suggested board tours of campus facilities.

The presentation closed with committee appreciation and a brief exchange confirming the college will continue outreach to local residents and pursue grant and philanthropic opportunities.