Jamestown Community College is the recipient of more than $300,000 from the State University of New York.

Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced Tuesday the funding that is part of a nearly $1 million investment from the High Needs Nursing Fund to expand academic pathways to nursing careers, including stronger partnerships between campuses and Educational Opportunity Centers.

The awarded campuses represent an array of innovative partnership models designed to increase nursing program capacity, enhance academic pathways across all levels of nursing, and maximize available nursing seats systemwide.

“SUNY is committed to helping Gov. (Kathy) Hochul achieve New York State’s goal to eliminate the nursing workforce shortage. The High Needs Nursing Fund underscores SUNY’s dedication to advancing the success of our healthcare workforce,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “By harnessing innovation and partnerships across our campuses, healthcare systems, and communities, this investment accelerates our ability to address New York’s healthcare workforce shortage.”

Area funding was announced for these initiatives:

— More than $200,000 was granted to Alfred State, Jamestown Community College, and Genesee Community College for “Nursing on the Move in Rural New York.” It is to establish a mobile nursing simulation laboratory to provide additional lab space for collaborating institutions, on-site skills training for current healthcare workers, recruitment initiatives, and outreach to middle schools, high schools, BOCES, and community events.

— Jamestown Community College also received $115,000 for “Building Bridges to Nursing Excellence.” The award will support faculty to create seamless educational pathways for current healthcare professionals, establishing opportunities for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Patient Care Technicians (PCT) to advance to LPN, and for LPN to pursue Registered Nurse (RN) licensure. The program will include outreach and partnership to CNA and PCT BOCES programs and healthcare organizations to encourage students to enroll.

Other programs funded included:

— $600,000 for SUNY Canton, Clinton Community College, SUNY Jefferson, and North Country Community College for “Pathways to Opportunity: A Model for Building Northern NY Higher Education.”

— $270,000 to SUNY Canton and Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center (EOC): “Building EOC Nursing Partnerships.”

— $170,000 for SUNY Downstate and SUNY Old Westbury: for “Nursing Education Pathway; Train to Retain.”

— $100,000 from SUNY Orange and SUNY Empire: for “Nursing Pathways Innovation Hub: Advancing Seamless Mobility Across the SUNY Nursing Continuum.”

These efforts help address recommendations by the SUNY Future of Healthcare Workforce Task Force, convened to guide SUNY in addressing the critical health care workforce shortage and the Governor’s goal of increasing the health care workforce in New York State by 20%. Following this engagement with over 125 experts across SUNY institutions and the health care industry, the Task Force identified four priority areas for short-term action and investment, including supporting innovation and partnerships. Collectively, the initiatives are projected to create or unlock more than 230 nursing slots across SUNY by optimizing and expanding program capacity.