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SUNY Plattsburgh President Joins Colleagues in D.C. for Advocacy Day on the Hill

Alexander Enyedi at US Capitol

SUNY Plattsburgh President Alexander Enyedi joined presidents and senior leaders from across the State University of New York system Dec. 3 for a day of advocacy with Washington, D.C., lawmakers.

The contingent met with Congressional leaders and staff as they pushed for support for students, workforce development, Pell and TRIO funding and the impact of SUNY campuses across the state.

Enyedi and his SUNY colleagues met with representatives from both the House and Senate, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Sen. Chuck Schumer, and members of the New York Congressional delegation whose districts include SUNY campuses, including Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15) and Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY-18).

Pell Grants, TRIO Programs Stressed

Throughout the day, SUNY leaders stressed that Pell Grants and TRIO programs “remain essential lifelines for thousands of New Yorkers.”

SUNY Plattsburgh alone serves more than 1,500 Pell-eligible students, reflecting the system-wide trend highlighted in SUNY’s federal brief: “Pell and TRIO help ensure access to high-quality education and keep the nation’s workforce pipeline strong.”

Leaders also underscored SUNY’s critical role in New York’s economic and workforce ecosystem, which spans 91% of the state’s active industry classifications such as:

  • Educators
  • Nurses
  • Chemists and other STEM careers
  • Computer software and hardware engineers
  • Finance professionals
  • Social and human services professionals

SUNY leadership cautioned federal lawmakers that “cuts to higher education funding directly weaken American industry competitiveness.”

Concern Over Cap on Research Costs

Conversations also included concern about the federal government’s proposed 15% cap on indirect research costs, which SUNY leaders warned could hinder innovation and slow progress from laboratory discovery to commercial application. They urged members of Congress to support legislation delaying implementation of the cap until further stakeholder engagement occurs.

Enyedi participated in small-group Capitol Hill meetings alongside leaders from SUNY Canton, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Adirondack, Clinton Community College, and SUNY Poly. In meetings with Congressional staff, the group discussed North Country priorities, including rural access and affordability, workforce readiness, and the role of regional campuses in supporting local economies. Pell participation rates across Northern New York are among the highest in the state, with SUNY Plattsburgh’s rate above 43%.

“SUNY campuses are anchors in their communities,” Enyedi said following the visit. “We were proud to share how institutions like SUNY Plattsburgh contribute to economic strength, educational opportunity, and upward mobility for students across the North Country.

The visit was part of SUNY’s coordinated federal advocacy effort, which included a reception at the Rayburn House Office Building and meetings across the Capitol complex. The system emphasized its readiness to serve as a partner to Congress on research, workforce development, student support, and emerging national priorities.

— Photo Provided

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