November 6, 2025
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In this episode of The NYC Workforce Drop, NYCETC CEO Gregory J. Morris sits down with Dr. Lisa Vollendorf, president of Empire State University (SUNY Empire), for a conversation about expanding opportunity through high-quality online public education.
From her scholarly roots to leading a 98% online SUNY institution serving 17,500 students across every New York county, all 50 states, and 50 countries, Dr. Vollendorf shares how access, design, and partnerships move learners from “some college” to completion.
Greg and Dr. Vollendorf dive into what “quality” really means in online learning and explore SUNY Empire’s efforts to meet learners where they are. They also tackle the realities of basic needs and policy challenges, from virtual food pantries and GI Bill disruptions to SNAP cutbacks, and discuss how higher education, employers, and philanthropy can work together to blunt the impact.
Workforce is the throughline. SUNY Empire builds cohort pathways, evaluates prior learning, and stacks certificates into degrees, all while addressing employer needs in fields like education, health, and emerging AI roles. The conversation underscores how business investment and flexible public higher ed can drive mobility and community wellbeing across New York and beyond.
Tune in to hear how SUNY Empire is redefining access, equity, and opportunity through innovation in online learning and why hope, collaboration, and heart remain at the center of education.
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