October 2024

The SUNY System Explores Statewide Implementation of University-Assisted Community Schools

On June 24, 2024, Binghamton University hosted a conference in partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY) system and SUNY Chancellor John King, Jr., to explore the potential of SUNY-led University-Assisted Community Schools (UACS) to transform education in New York State. The convening, the first of what organizers hope to be an annual event, drew over 120 participants, including leaders from the university, community, schools, state education, and elected officials. The event focused on improving educational outcomes and community wellbeing through collaborative, problem-solving partnerships between SUNY campuses and community schools.

Binghamton University has been a leader in UACS through Binghamton University Community Schools (BUCS), which has worked in partnership with local school districts for nearly two decades to leverage university and community resources that strengthen both school districts and the university. The conference highlighted UACS initiatives like the Public Archaeology Facility, which brings experiential learning opportunities to rural students. Participants discussed the benefits of UACS, such as enhanced student engagement and improved support for families, emphasizing how SUNY’s widespread reach—where nearly all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of a campus—offers a unique advantage for scaling these efforts across the state.

Keynote speakers, including SUNY Chancellor King, underscored the urgency and opportunity of expanding UACS within SUNY, calling it an “aspiration worth pursuing.” Attendees engaged in strategic planning sessions, exploring how to embed community school models into SUNY’s mission and align resources to meet local needs. Moving forward, Binghamton University will continue to support SUNY campuses interested in UACS through training, direct assistance, and site visits, aiming to create a cohesive statewide approach that bridges research, teaching, and practice with real-world community impact.

Learn more about The Promise of SUNY-led University-Assisted Community Schools to Transform Education in New York State on the BUCS website, read coverage of the event in Education transformed: Binghamton University hosts University-Assisted Community Schools conference on BingUNews, or contact Dr. Naorah Rimkunas, Assistant Professor of Community Schools, co-chair of Coalition for Community Schools Research Practice Network, and Associate Director of the Netter Center’s University-Assisted Community Schools National Network, at rimkunas@binghamton.edu.

Learn more about University Assisted Community Schools (UACS), or contact Cory Bowman, Director of the UACS National Network and UACS Regional Training Centers programs of the Netter Center at the University of Pennsylvania at bowman@upenn.edu.