Submitted photo From left, JCC President Daniel DeMarte, Student Ambassador Tiago Aguilar of Brazil, SUNY Chancellor John King, Student Ambassador Cassidy Vincent of South Dayton, and Student Ambassador Anita Kolombintseva of Saint Petersburg, Russia.

As Jamestown Community College Student Ambassadors Cassidy Vincent, Anita Kolombintseva, and Tiago Aguilar walked and chatted with State University of New York Chancellor John King, from building to building, he took in what he saw, and was impressed with what he learned.

“It’s clear that JCC is filling a vital role for regional economic development, preparing students for jobs in manufacturing and nursing, and all areas where we have tremendous need,” King said,

King was at JCC Monday to speak with students, faculty, and staff as part of his tour of the campus. Vincent, of South Dayton, Kolombintseva of St. Petersburg, Russia, and Aguilar of Belo Horizonte Brazil, led King on a tour of the campus that included the Hamilton Collegiate Center, The Cyber Cafe inside of the collegiate center, The Manufacturing Technology Institute, the Industrial and Building Automation Center, on the top floor of the Hultquist Library, the Hillside Suites South residence hall, and the Nursing Program classrooms in the Sheldon Center.

During his stop, King stressed that it is important that students have multiple access points to the skills that they will need in the workforce.

He said that non-credit programs, certificate programs as well as degree programs through the state’s community colleges can help open up economic opportunities for people. He added that throughout the United States there is a renaissance in manufacturing.

“In New York (state) we are growing in advanced manufacturing and we have an opportunity to prepare folks for great jobs,” he said.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel noted that sometimes residents overlook educational opportunities at JCC. “It’s a great honor to have him (the chancellor) here, and see what what we do here. This (JCC) is a gem. More and more people are realizing its value and its necessity.”

Mayor Eddie Sundquist said JCC has an impact on the students it serves. “We are very excited to have the chancellor come to Jamestown Community College today. It’s wonderful whenever we have the state leadership the incredible work we’re doing here in Jamestown and across the county.” Sundquist noted that because the city runs the utility company, the focus is on green manufacturing and green technologies. “We want to make Jamestown a center for that (green transition), and JCC is key.”

King said glancing at the economy, there are more jobs available then there are people with the skills that match those jobs. The state’s community colleges, he noted, play a vital role by helping people transition into new areas in the workforce, but also helping current workers to upscale their skills, so that they have an opportunity to advance at their place of employment.

King added employers are eager to help in some cases because they know community colleges are producing workers that are critically needed in the workforce.

SUNY is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2022, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum.

King noted that JCC was No. 21 of his 64-campus tour. He toured SUNY Fredonia later Monday.

The chancellor closed out his visit by meeting with faculty and staff to discuss how SUNY can support the college, and closed out his tour with members of JCC’s President’s Cabinet.

“It’s been great to see the diversity across the SUNY institutions. We want every student to know, there is a place for them at SUNY,” King said.

JCC President Daniel DeMarte echoed King’s thoughts.

“I think it’s fantastic that the chancellor is making this tour around to all of the campuses. … I’m really pleased to welcome him here, and get a chance to show (him) what he have and what we offer — the good things what we are doing for the community. This fits well into his vision of ensuring there’s a place for every student within SUNY,” DeMarte said.