ACE Initiative Is a ‘Game-Changer’ for Buffalo State Students

Julian Grooms grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in a small apartment he still calls home when he’s not on the Buffalo State University campus.

Grooms, a sophomore biology major, said, “My family didn’t have much, but they always instilled in me the values of education, hard work, and community—principles I’ve carried with me to Buffalo State.”

Grooms said his decision to attend Buffalo State was largely shaped by financial considerations. 

“Coming from a background with limited financial resources, I had to be realistic,” he said. “Paying for school would be challenging, so finding a university where I could pursue my dreams without incurring overwhelming debt was my top priority. Thankfully, Buffalo State fit that need.”

Even as the most affordable of the SUNY comprehensive universities, Buffalo State still comes at a cost—especially when factoring in expenses outside of tuition, such as transportation, books, and other essentials. But thanks to the new Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) initiative, that burden is being eased.

First established by CUNY in 2007 and expanded to the SUNY system in spring 2024, ACE provides wraparound support to ensure student academic success, retention, and on-time graduation. Through state-level support championed by Governor Hochul in the $75 million SUNY Transformation Fund and supplemented by private grants, ACE offers an array of resources and supports—including funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation, other costs of attendance, academic assistance, comprehensive personalized advisement, and career development activities—to help Pell-eligible students overcome barriers that can prevent them from obtaining their degrees. Since its initial launch at CUNY, ACE has served more than 100,000 students, and the program has been replicated in seven states. The program has been proven to significantly boost degree completion rates, particularly for underrepresented students. 

“The primary goal is to make sure students are retained and graduated in four years,” said Jude Jayatilleke, Buffalo State’s ACE director. “We have clearly marked roadmaps to help these students navigate the college system.”

The program has been designated for students studying specific majors at Buffalo State.

“We handpicked these majors because we thought they were the ones in which students would have the best chance of success and completion,” said Randyll Bowen, Buffalo State’s vice president for enrollment management, “because that’s the ultimate goal.”

“We looked at unique programs that attract students at Buffalo State,” Jayatilleke added. “We also wanted to make sure that they have that clear path of graduation in four years, so we looked at some programs where there aren’t as many prerequisite classes.”

Currently 4,200 students are enrolled in ACE across 25 SUNY campuses; with 191, Buffalo State has one of the highest enrollment classes. 

Beyond financial support, students are given resources and guidance—they meet with their advisors twice a month, attend workshops led by the Career and Professional Education Center (CAPE), and are referred to tutoring if necessary.

“At Buffalo State University, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where every student has the tools they need to succeed,” said interim president Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D. “Through financial, academic, and personal support, we are not only helping students stay on track, but also empowering them to reach graduation with confidence and purpose. The ACE program embodies Buffalo State’s commitment to student success and reflects our ongoing efforts to create a resilient and thriving community. I thank the chancellor and the staff at SUNY for providing this resource for our students at Buffalo State.”

“As a first-generation college student, I sometimes feel intense pressure,” said Boi Tha, a sophomore criminal justice major who was born in Malaysia and has lived in Buffalo since the age of 2. “Being the first to navigate this journey without anyone to lean on for advice or guidance can be overwhelming. The ACE program has been a tremendous help. It feels good knowing we have a support system that offers guidance, and I’m extremely grateful for that. Through ACE, I’ve also connected with several fellow students who are incredibly supportive, and we help each other navigate our academic journeys.”

Jayatilleke said it’s personal connections that really affect retention. “Students need that sense of belonging,” he said. “When they come to us with challenges, we help and provide solutions. When we build those relationships, students are becoming part of the ACE family.”

“Being a part of ACE has truly been a game-changer,” Grooms said. “The financial support for books and other essentials has eased the burden of paying for school. Beyond that, the guidance from my ACE advisors has been invaluable. Their feedback keeps me on track, and the program feels like a support system that’s fully invested in my success.”

Over the summers, Grooms returns to Brooklyn to work full time to help support himself and his family, but during the academic year, he is “laser-focused” on his studies.

“I’m passionate about health care and helping others, and I know this career will allow me to make a meaningful impact,” he said. “I’m incredibly grateful for programs like ACE that make it easier for students like me to focus on education. After graduating from Buffalo State, I plan to enter a PA [physician’s assistant] program. From there, the sky’s the limit.”