Supporting Student Success
Student success remained at the heart of SUNY Poly’s mission, with new and expanded initiatives providing students with the academic, financial, personal, and career-focused support needed to thrive. From strengthening academic advising and accessibility services to expanding student involvement, athletics, and opportunities for connection, SUNY Poly continued to foster an environment where students can succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
The impact was reflected in measurable progress. SUNY Poly welcomed its largest new undergraduate class in university history, with 800 first-year and transfer students, while its fall-to-fall retention rate increased from 69 percent to 81 percent. The university also celebrated 794 graduates at its 51st Commencement ceremonies, including 529 undergraduate and 265 graduate and advanced certificate recipients.
Accessibility Services Expands Student Support
Accessibility Services continued to strengthen individualized support for students with disabilities, serving more than 350 students through personalized accommodations, academic coaching, and guidance tailored to individual needs.
The office also refined its accommodated testing process to provide a more consistent and accessible experience, ensuring students have the resources and accommodations needed to demonstrate their knowledge and succeed academically.
Athletics Celebrates Academic and Competitive Success
SUNY Poly student-athletes continued to excel in the classroom and in competition, maintaining a higher cumulative grade point average than the overall student average.
The Wildcats also enjoyed a successful 2025–26 season in the Empire 8 Conference, highlighted by a winning record and conference honors in men’s basketball, a playoff appearance and national academic recognition for baseball, and standout individual performances across several sports. These accomplishments reflect the university’s commitment to supporting student-athletes in their academic and athletic pursuits.
Cayan Library Supports Learning and Discovery
The Cayan Library remained an important center for academic support, research, and student engagement. During the year, 36,120 journal articles were downloaded through library research databases, while books and e-books were accessed 59,993 times.
The library made nearly 400 textbooks available to students across the fall and spring semesters, helping increase access to required course materials. Librarians also processed 2,993 interlibrary loan transactions, answered 942 questions, and hosted or participated in 44 outreach events.
Across 1,513 hours of operation, 38,823 users passed through the library’s doors, underscoring its continued role as a space for studying, research, collaboration, and connection.
Celebrating the Class of 2026
SUNY Poly celebrated the achievements of 794 graduates during its 51st Commencement ceremonies, held during the university’s 60th anniversary year. A total of 529 students earned undergraduate degrees, while 265 received graduate degrees or certificates of advanced study.
The university also awarded its first Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, marking a milestone in the continued growth of SUNY Poly’s advanced healthcare programs.
The College of Engineering ceremony featured nationally respected engineering executive and innovation leader Dr. Henry Cialone as commencement speaker, while sports executive, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Robert Esche addressed graduates from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Health Sciences.
Commencement served as both a celebration of individual achievement and a reflection of SUNY Poly’s student-centered mission: expanding access, supporting persistence, preparing students for meaningful careers, and providing the foundation for graduates to succeed long after they leave campus.
Creating Pathways for First-Generation Students
SUNY Poly was selected as one of 60 new members of the FirstGen Forward Network for 2025–26, recognizing the university’s commitment to improving experiences and outcomes for first-generation college students.
Through the national network, SUNY Poly is engaging in professional development, peer learning, and knowledge sharing focused on strengthening academic and co-curricular support for first-generation students. The recognition complements university initiatives designed to expand access, foster belonging, and help students successfully navigate their college experience.
EOP Continues to Grow
SUNY Poly’s Arthur O. Eve Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) continued to expand, growing 60 percent since 2019. The program provides personalized, holistic support for students through financial assistance, tutoring and advising, one-on-one counseling, peer mentoring, leadership development, career readiness programming, and the Pre-Freshman Summer Academy.
The university also continued to strengthen connections between EOP and career preparation as SUNY expanded efforts to ensure EOP students have access to credit-bearing internships and other high-impact applied learning experiences. These opportunities help students explore career pathways, build professional skills, and connect their education with meaningful employment.
Expanding Opportunity Through ACE and STAR
SUNY Poly strengthened its approach to student success through the expansion of Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) and the launch of the Student Advising Resources (STAR) model.
ACE expanded to serve 250 students during the academic year, providing personalized advising, tuition and textbook assistance, transportation support, career coaching, and other resources designed to remove barriers and help students remain on track toward graduation.
STAR introduced a collaborative approach to advising that brings together faculty mentors, professional academic advisors, and campus support services. Faculty help students connect their academic programs with research, internships, and career opportunities, while professional advisors provide guidance on academic pathways, policies, deadlines, and progress toward graduation. Together, ACE and STAR strengthen the network of support surrounding students throughout their SUNY Poly experience.
Orientation and First-Year Seminar Ease the Transition to College
SUNY Poly welcomed new first-year and transfer students through six summer Drive-In Days, culminating in Welcome Weekend activities designed to introduce students to campus life, build connections, and ease the transition to college.
Support continued through the First-Year Seminar (FYS) program, which helped students navigate their first semester while connecting them with campus resources and opportunities for engagement. Community service initiatives introduced through FYS also continued through the Wildcats Care program, coordinated through the CSI office, encouraging students to make a positive impact on campus and beyond.
Recognized for Creating Opportunity
SUNY Poly was one of only 32 colleges and universities in New York State to earn Carnegie’s “Opportunity” designation, recognizing institutions that successfully combine student access with strong post-graduation earnings outcomes.
U.S. Department of Education data showed that SUNY Poly graduates earn 20 percent more than the national median salary for four-year college graduates while carrying less than half the national median student debt. SUNY Poly was also one of eight SUNY campuses to receive the designation.
The recognition reflects the university’s broader commitment to making a high-quality education accessible and connecting students with the advising, experiential learning, career preparation, and academic support necessary to translate their education into long-term opportunity.
Residence Life Builds Community and Connection
Residence Life continued to foster a welcoming and engaging residential experience through signature events including Cosplay Prom, Halloween Bash, Wildcat Weekend, and the fourth annual Breaking Barriers celebration. These activities provided opportunities for students to build friendships, celebrate shared experiences, and strengthen their connection to the campus community.
The department also modernized its housing selection process, making it more student-friendly, flexible, and personalized to better meet students’ individual preferences and needs. professional skills, and connect their education with meaningful employment.
Student Affairs Launches Poly Pals
Student Affairs and the Office of the Dean of Students launched Poly Pals in spring 2026, a student-created peer connection program designed to help students build friendships, find support, and develop a greater sense of belonging.
Conceived by students in response to a challenging moment for the campus community in fall 2025, the voluntary program matches participants based on shared interests and needs. Students can choose different levels of connection, ranging from friendships and study partners to structured peer mentoring.
Poly Pals engaged 43 regular participants during its initial semester, with participation growing each month, demonstrating the value of student-driven approaches to building community and supporting well-being.
Student Involvement Strengthens Campus Engagement
With more than 52 active clubs and organizations, SUNY Poly continued to provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, explore interests, and connect with peers.
Student government, in collaboration with Wildcat Hospitality, introduced a Swipe Out Hunger program to help address food insecurity, while a new bus pass program expanded transportation options for students traveling to, from, and around campus.
The Student Recognition Banquet also returned to campus, providing an opportunity to celebrate student leadership, service, and achievement. Additionally, a new commencement regalia loan and donation program helped reduce financial barriers to graduation, ensuring more students could fully participate in celebrating their accomplishments.
Wellness Center Expands Access to Care
SUNY Poly’s Wellness Center continued to enhance student health and well-being through expanded services and improved accessibility. The introduction of TimelyCare provided students with 24/7 access to a diverse network of healthcare providers, offering greater flexibility in accessing care and support.
The Wellness Center also purchased an ADA-compliant scale, improving accessibility and ensuring students with disabilities have access to equipment that accommodates their needs. These improvements reflect the university’s ongoing commitment to providing inclusive, accessible health and wellness resources for all students.