Albany, N.Y. – Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) and Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced a new partnership and plan to build classroom space for SCCC’s new downtown Albany location. As SCCC continues to expand and attract students from across the region, there has been a growing interest for educational offerings in off-site locations. SCCC has seen tremendous success and growth at its Center City location in downtown Schenectady, and the College expects the same success in downtown Albany. A variety of courses will be offered at the new location at 112 State Street, expected to attract 1,000 students.
“Community College education is a vital engine to our region’s economic prosperity, and this new partnership with SCCC to bring students to downtown Albany will have positive long term impacts for the Capital Region. Albany County has underutilized space in our county office buildings and we want to maximize our available resources,” said Albany County Executive, Daniel P. McCoy. “Expanding higher education opportunity will bring vibrancy to the County and have other positive economic impacts for businesses in downtown Albany.”
The agreement allows SCCC to offer courses and new options for its more than 7,000 students. Utilization of the county’s resources gives SCCC nearly 10,000 square feet within the building for classroom space as well as room for future expansion on other vacant floors. Albany County residents will now have easier access to programs and courses at SCCC.
“The needs of the hi-tech manufacturing and nanoscale science, hospitality, and healthcare industries in our region are clear. We have many great programs creating opportunities and jobs for students in these industries, and to continue this effort and outlook for a positive economic future in our region this expansion is necessary,” said Denise Murphy McGraw, Chair of the SCCC Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, students, faculty and staff, we thank Albany County for welcoming our students to downtown Albany.”
“All of us in local government are currently facing challenges. This is a great example of how we can work together, not just locally, but regionally, to maximize our community assets to promote education, training and job development here in the Capital Region,” said Judy Dagostino, Chairwoman of the Schenectady County Legislature.
The location of 112 State Street was chosen because of its central location, the appeal to students who want to be in a downtown campus environment, and the ease of transportation for students who utilize public transportation. The Capital District Transportation Authority’s (CDTA) Ridership program established with SCCC also allows for a direct connection to the location with CDTA’s bus stop and shelter located just outside the Albany County Building at 112 State Street. Parking will be available in the garage on the west side of the Times Union Center, a short convenient walk for faculty, staff and students.
“The fostering of this new partnership is not only good for Schenectady County Community College to grow and expand, but for the entire Capital Region,” said SCCC President, Dr. Quintin Bullock. “In just one year we have seen great success at SCCC’s current Center City satellite location in Schenectady and we will see the same success here in downtown Albany, making higher education opportunities more accessible.”
About Schenectady County Community College: One of the 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, the nation’s largest comprehensive system of higher education, Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) in upstate New York enrolls more than 7,000 students. SCCC offers more than 40 career degree, transfer degree and certificate programs. The College opened its doors for classes in 1969 and continues to provide affordable comprehensive higher education and adult educational opportunities in response to local educational needs. To learn more, visit www.sunysccc.edu.