Suffolk County Community College (SCCC) has been awarded $40,000 for 2025-2026 academic year through the State University of New York’s High Needs Nursing Fund, part of a statewide initiative led by SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. to expand and modernize nursing simulation experiences across SUNY campuses.
The college is among 30 SUNY institutions receiving a portion of this year’s $746,500 investment, which supports nursing faculty training and the purchase of high-fidelity simulation equipment essential to preparing future nurses. The funding directly advances Governor Kathy Hochul’s goal of increasing New York State’s healthcare workforce by 20% and strengthens SUNY’s ongoing efforts to expand training pathways in nursing and allied health.
“We are incredibly grateful for SUNY’s continued investment in high-quality nursing education,” said Dr. Edward Bonahue, president of Suffolk County Community College. “This funding allows Suffolk to expand our simulation capabilities, giving our nursing students hands-on, real-world training with the latest technology. As a regional community college, we play a critical role in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals for Long Island, and these resources will help ensure our graduates are exceptionally well prepared to meet the needs of local hospitals, clinics, and care centers.”
“SUNY is committed to investing in the success of New York State’s future healthcare workforce,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “Our investment through the High Needs Nursing Fund reinforces our dedication to achieving Governor Hochul’s goal of expanding the state’s highly skilled healthcare workforce. These awards help ensure students receive the world-class education and training they deserve so they can thrive in healthcare careers.”
Suffolk County Community College’s Nursing Program—one of the region’s largest and most established—will use the funding to expand access to high-quality simulation experiences across its campuses including the acquisition of high-fidelity and full-body simulation manikins. Since New York State expanded the use of simulation-based clinical education in 2023, Suffolk County Community College has received $200,000 through SUNY’s High Needs Nursing Simulation Grant Program to enhance nursing training. The investments strengthen Suffolk’s capacity to train more nurses and further align the college with statewide efforts to address critical healthcare workforce shortages.