North Country Community College students Sarah Niles, right, and Maria Almodovar work in the new science lab on the college’s Malone campus. (Provided photo)

SARANAC LAKE — North Country Community College will use a $50,000 state grant to help more adult learners earn a college degree and advance their careers.

The funding, announced recently by Gov. Kathy Hochul, builds on the college’s recent success in attracting more adult learners by providing short-term offerings and hybrid programs that include flexible evening/weekend options and online coursework.

Since the Fall 2022 semester, the college has seen a 9.6 percent increase in enrollment in adult learners, defined as those age 22 and up. This has helped fuel five consecutive semesters in overall enrollment growth at the college including the current spring semester, which started in late January with a four-percent increase in degree-seeking students compared to the spring of 2024.

“Continuing the momentum we’ve realized in this area of enrollment growth is paramount to the success of our college and students,” said Kyle Johnston, vice president of marketing and enrollment. “We now need to build on these successes and look forward to new opportunities to enroll, support, retain, graduate, and place our adult learner population.”

The $50,000 grant will be used to support three strategies. The first involves marketing and recruitment efforts targeted to specific adult learner populations, including expanding partnerships with employers and other community-based partners. The college will also use the funds to provide academic offerings and non-academic support during non-traditional hours that coincide with its flexible programs. Finally, the grant will support an effort to ensure the college and its faculty are using the best practices for online teaching and learning.

This grant funding builds on a proposal from the governor to offer free community college tuition, fees, books and supplies to adults ages 25 to 55 who pursue degrees in fields like health care, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and green jobs.

More than one in four SUNY community college students are age 25 or older, with nearly two-thirds of them attending college part-time. Additionally, an estimated 1.5 million working-age New Yorkers have completed some college but have not yet obtained a degree.

For more information on how to enroll at the college, email admissions@nccc.edu, call 888-TRY-NCCC, or visit www.nccc.edu.