State Senate’s proposed budget includes $1 million Center of Excellence at SUNY Orange

ALBANY- State Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) and SUNY Orange have announced the inclusion of $1 million in funding in the Senate’s proposed budget for a new Center of Excellence at SUNY Orange.

This initiative would address the transformative impact of AI on the healthcare field, providing research opportunities, public and private collaboration, and new upskilling and reskilling programs that will enable the workforce of the Hudson Valley to remain competitive in a new healthcare environment.

“New York must remain at the forefront of innovation in critical sectors, and this new program will help us deliver on that promise,” said Senator Skoufis. “AI-driven healthcare is reshaping the field. Given the Hudson Valley’s historically high number of healthcare professionals, providing access to a pioneering initiative like the Center of Excellence will ensure our workforce is well-prepared to navigate this evolving landscape. Establishing SUNY Orange’s Center of Excellence is an investment in our future.”

There are currently 13 Centers of Excellence throughout New York State. Funded by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation, these centers foster collaboration between the academic and business communities to develop new products and technologies. The program was created to facilitate joint university-industry research and development as well as workforce training. SUNY Orange would be the first community college to host this initiative.

“SUNY Orange deeply appreciates the confidence Senator Skoufis has in our College’s ability to innovate and respond to the needs of the Hudson Valley, and its healthcare sector in particular,” said Dr. Kristine Young, SUNY Orange President. “The Senator’s proposal allows us to capitalize on our historic strength of preparing and training skilled healthcare graduates, combine it with our tradition of collaborating with business and industry, and integrate our growing leadership in the understanding of AI to reshape what the future of healthcare will look like in the Hudson Valley and beyond.”