Redefining Access with Dr. Lisa Vollendorf: Empowering Adult Learners and New York’s Workforce Through Innovation in Higher Ed

On a wet, gray Halloween-eve in Manhattan, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris sits down with Dr. Lisa Vollendorf, president of Empire State University (SUNY Empire), for a high-energy conversation about expanding opportunity through high-quality online public education. From her scholarly roots in 16th–17th century women’s cultural history to leading a 98% online SUNY institution serving 17,500 students across every NY county, all 50 states, and 50 countries, Dr. Vollendorf traces how access, design, and partnerships move learners from “some college” to completion.They dig into what “quality” means for asynchronous learning—universal design, a robust digital learning environment, data-driven student supports—and why SUNY Empire’s ecosystem meets learners where they are. The pair also tackles basic needs and policy shocks: SUNY Empire’s virtual food pantry, GI Bill interruptions and emergency scholarships during the shutdown, and anticipated SNAP cutbacks, as well as how colleges, employers, agencies, and philanthropy can blunt the impact.Workforce is the throughline: SUNY Empire builds cohort pathways, evaluates prior learning (up to 93 transfer credits), and stacks certificates toward degrees while meeting urgent employer skill needs (including emerging AI capabilities). The duo drives home the idea that a college degree remains a powerful driver of mobility and community wellbeing, and how business investment plus flexible public higher ed can scale it.Topics: online/asynchronous quality & universal design; digital learning environments & data; prior learning assessment & transfer; apprenticeship/union pathways; basic needs, GI Bill gaps & SNAP cutbacks; employer partnership models; stackable credentials to degrees; reskilling/upskilling for AI-era roles; adult learner completion & social mobility; NYC–state workforce alignment; equity, affordability, and belonging.Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network