For Immediate Release
April 24, 2026

Suffolk County Community College Joins SUNY-Wide Honors Transfer Pathway Initiative with SUNY Geneseo

Suffolk County Community College today announced its participation in a new statewide Community College Honors Transfer Pathway program launched by State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King Jr. during a recent visit to SUNY Geneseo.

The innovative program creates a seamless pathway for high-achieving honors students enrolled at select SUNY community colleges—including Suffolk—to access the academic resources, advising, and enrichment opportunities of SUNY Geneseo prior to transfer. Upon successful completion of their associate degrees and meeting GPA requirements, participating students will be guaranteed admission to SUNY Geneseo with junior standing.

For Suffolk’s honors students, the program represents a highly attractive opportunity to continue their academic journey at one of SUNY’s most sought-after destinations. Known for its rigorous academics, strong liberal arts tradition, and vibrant campus community, SUNY Geneseo consistently stands out as a top choice for high-achieving students across New York State. The Honors Pathway offers Suffolk students a clear, supported route into that experience, making the transition both seamless and aspirational.

The Honors Pathway program is designed to expand access to a public honors college experience while strengthening transfer success and bachelor’s degree completion across the SUNY system. The first cohort is expected to launch in fall 2026, with up to 100 students selected statewide. Suffolk County Community College joins four additional SUNY community colleges in the program’s initial launch: Hudson Valley Community College, Monroe Community College, Onondaga Community College, and Westchester Community College.

This initiative aligns with SUNY’s broader efforts to modernize transfer pathways, reduce barriers, and increase degree completion as outlined in Chancellor King’s State of the University agenda. Through systemwide collaboration, SUNY continues to create clear, equitable pathways for students to achieve their academic and career goals.

“Through this Honors Pathway, SUNY is making it easier for the high-achieving honors students in our community colleges to continue their success and pursue the education of their dreams at SUNY Geneseo,” said Chancellor John B. King Jr. “SUNY Geneseo is known for its academic excellence, and we are proud to support our students as they continue on their path to upward mobility with a liberal arts honors college experience.”

Students in the program will benefit from monthly enrichment seminars, peer mentoring from current SUNY Geneseo transfer students, annual campus visits, and financial stipends to support their academic journey.

“Suffolk County Community College is proud to partner with SUNY Geneseo to expand opportunities for our honors students and create a seamless pathway to continued academic excellence and bachelor’s degree completion,” said Edward T. Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College. “This program is especially exciting for our honors students, providing them with direct access to one of SUNY’s premier institutions and reinforcing their ability to achieve at the highest academic levels.”

SUNY Geneseo President Melinda Treadwell emphasized the broader impact of the initiative: “Geneseo is proud to partner with community colleges across the state to expand access to our public honors college experience and to recognize the talent, ambition, and excellence of these distinguished students. The Honors Pathways Program reflects our deep commitment to equity, academic excellence, and seamless transfer.”

 

About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 26,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With approximately 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school to college and into careers.

 

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.