Pre-COVID, more than 700 students were registered with Hudson Valley Community College’s Center for Access and Assistive Technology. The department assists students with a variety of disabilities and learning differences.

Come fall, the center will also offer the CareerNext program, thanks to a new partnership with Living Resources.

Started in 2019, CareerNext provides wrap-around supports for students who need them. It’s expected to help 40 students at HVCC next year.

"The goal is really to see our students succeed here on an educational level, but also the skills that they’re learning and building, they’re going to take with them out into the workforce," says Deanne Martocci, HVCC’s director of the Center for Access and Assistive Technology.

Before coming to HVCC’s campus, the program found success at SUNY Schenectady and SUNY Cobleskill.

James Cerny is autistic and currently studying cybersecurity at SUNY Cobleskill. He earned his associate’s degree at SUNY Schenectady. Prior to the CareerNext program, he struggled with the college level course load.

"Just a lot of things I struggle with, catching up with assignments and trying to see what’s due and trying to find help is very difficult to find," says Cerny.

Cerny works alongside his academic coordinator, Megan Taylor, to keep on track. Taylor says she meets with students about four times a week, assisting as needed.

"My students are brilliant in their field, but it’s really some of the pieces like just prioritizing, which assignment do we have to do first," says Taylor.

Students can also receive residential support and guidance focused on how to live independently. The hope is CareerNext will increase the accessibility of higher education to those who previously had difficulties.

"I think this program could help so many students to reach their full potential with just that little bit of extra help," says Taylor.