UAlbany, FMCC Sign Dual Admission Agreement

Life sized mascots of a pirate and a great dane flank a group of smiling and clapping people

Cheering the ribbon cutting for UAlbany’s transfer advisement hub are, from left: Reggie, SUNY’s Johanna Duncan-Portier, presidents Truckenmiller and Rodríguez, UAlbany’s Carol Kim and Mike Christakis, Rep. Pat Fahy and Damien. (Photo by Brian Busher)

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. (March 27, 2024) — The University at Albany and Fulton-Montgomery Community College signed a dual admission partnership Tuesday that guarantees a seamless transfer into UAlbany for participating FMCC students who complete their associate degree.

Under the agreement, students can apply for UAlbany admission while applying to FMCC and have junior year status at UAlbany after graduating from FMCC. During their first two years, these students will have access to a UAlbany transfer admissions counselor-in-residence at FMCC, in UAlbany’s new transfer advisement hub in O’Connell Hall.

Participating students also will receive a UAlbany identification card and be able to use the UAlbany libraries, meet with faculty and attend athletics and special events at UAlbany.

“Through this partnership, the University at Albany and Fulton-Montgomery Community College will make transfer a seamless experience for students,” said UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez. “Data show that most community college students want to complete a four-year degree, but they hit roadblocks that stall their progress. The result is that only 16 percent of students who start in community college ultimately earn a bachelor’s degree. This partnership aims to change that by smoothing the transfer path for students and integrating FMCC students into the UAlbany community from the very beginning of their higher education journey. I am grateful to my colleagues at FMCC for their partnership and to SUNY for the Transformation Fund support that helped make this dual-admission program possible.”

Four people in business attire stand behind a table, smiling — FMCC President Greg Truckenmiller, SUNY Senior Vice Chancellor Johanna Duncan-Portier, UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez and Assembly member Pat Fahy after the signing. (Photo by Brian Busher)

Rodríguez and FMCC President Greg Truckenmiller signed the dual admission agreement Tuesday morning at The Allen House at FMCC, in a ceremony attended by faculty, students and leaders from both institutions, as well as elected officials and regional business and community leaders.

“This new enhanced partnership is innovative, in both its approach and execution. This collaboration will serve as a model as to how SUNY campuses should collaborate with one another to benefit the students we serve,” Truckenmiller said. “Our region is growing in terms of economic development across multiple sectors and industries. Expanding educational offerings is critical to creating a consistent employee pipeline, and for advancing educational opportunities to students within our area’s school districts.”

Speakers included Hamilton Fulton Montgomery BOCES Assistant Superintendent Jay DeTraglia; Fulton-Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce Director Anne Boles; Senior Vice Chancellor for the SUNY Office of Community Colleges Johanna Duncan-Portier; and state assembly members Robert Smullen and Patricia Fahy.

After the signing ceremony, the group moved to O’Connell Hall for a ribbon cutting at the new UAlbany transfer advisement hub.

The two institutions are completing articulation agreements in more than 20 programs that will be available for dually enrolled students. Truckenmiller said that participating freshmen will be able to take a UAlbany First-Year Experience course at FMCC.

UAlbany signed a similar dual admission agreement with Hudson Valley Community College earlier this month, and with the Borough of Manhattan Community College, part of the CUNY system, in January.