SUNY Old Westbury leaders and students today celebrated “ACE Momentum Day,” a kickoff event to mark the introduction of the Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) program at the campus.
Through ACE, 150 students at Old Westbury will receive important resources to help them gain and maintain academic momentum so they can graduate on time.
“The best day of any university is graduation day, when students receive their diplomas in front of a proud group of friends and family,” said Provost David Lanoue. “Each of those diplomas represents a life and even a family transformed to a brighter future with an opportunity to make a difference locally, nationally and throughout the world. But that transformative moment can't come unless students stay in school and make progress and receive the support they need over the course of their academic journey. And that's why we're so excited to be part of the ACE program.”
ACE, its sister program Advancing Success in Associate Pathways for community colleges, provides access to eligible students to a wide array of resources and support to help them overcome barriers that can prevent them from obtaining a degree. This includes funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation, and other costs of attendance, as well as comprehensive personalized advisement, academic support, and career development activities.
“ACE recognizes each student's unique need and provides the tailored support that goes beyond just the classroom,” said New York State Assemblyman Charles Lavine during the “ACE Momentum Day.” “After all, what goes on outside the classroom has a direct impact on every one of our students and every one of us. I am proud of the investments that New York State is making in higher education through programs like ACE and ASAP.”
I wanted to start at college feeling prepared and connected, not lost or overwhelmed, and ACE has been the perfect program to help me through that...
- Stephanie Tzul '29
In the 2025-26 State Budget, Governor Hochul and state leaders allocated $12 million for SUNY to expand this initiative, which led to the expansion of the program to Old Westbury and eight other campuses. The investment by Governor Hochul and state leaders will help grow ASAP|ACE enrollment statewide to an anticipated 7,000 students this year, on track to enrolling 10,000 students for Fall 2026.
“What makes today especially exciting for me is that Old Westbury has really embraced this opportunity in every way,” said Donna Linderman, SUNY’s senior vice chancellor for student success.” Students, we're launching a program here to provide you with a set of evidence based, wraparound supports and resources to help remove barriers to your success and put you on a pathway to realize your goals. This is possible thanks to the support of Governor Hochul and state leaders, and through the direction of SUNY Chancellor King."
Individualized supports delivered through ACE are critical for students like Abigail McCutchan, who, as a first-year commuter, was struggling to build connections on campus. Through ACE, she says she found a community of support she believes will help her thrive.
“Through my daily ACE check ins, I've had the amazing chance to see how I can make my goals and wishes into my future reality,” she said. “I’ve begun to learn to take time to reflect on my own feelings and become more self-aware of the strengths and weaknesses I want to work on.”
First-year Biological Sciences major Stephanie Tzul shared similar sentiments.
“I wanted to start at college feeling prepared and connected, not lost or overwhelmed, and ACE has been the perfect program to help me through that,” said Tzul. “I feel more confident navigating my college life and the resources provided have made my transition to college much smoother. Knowing that there's a strong support system behind me gives me reassurance that I don't have to figure this out all on my own.”
ACE is helping Irvin Peraza, a junior accounting major, find his voice and his confidence through the close advising and mentorship he is finding through the program.
“I had as an assignment a five-minute presentation from my business accounting class,” said Peraza, who transferred this year after graduating from Suffolk Community College. “If you know me personally, you know how much I agonize over moments like this. I worked one on one with my advisor for four weeks before my presentation, I went over and over my speech until I felt absolutely confident. I was able to turn my nerves into eagerness, and it came from the opportunities and mentorship at ACE.”