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College seeks new rad‑tech and environmental degrees, expands micro‑credentials and AI training; eyes $33 million workforce center
Summary
Dr. Duffy told the Warren County finance and budget committee that the college has submitted a proposal to SUNY for a radiologic technician program, is developing an environmental science degree, expanding micro‑credentials including HVAC, offering generative‑AI training, and is planning a $33 million "future work center."
Dr. Duffy told the Warren County finance and budget committee that the college has submitted a proposal to the State University of New York for a radiologic technician program and is developing a new environmental science degree, alongside an expansion of short, industry‑focused "micro‑credentials," HVAC cohorts and community training in generative AI.
The college has moved the radiologic technician application through internal faculty review and its board of trustees and has sent the proposal to SUNY and the New York State Education Department; because the field requires licensure the program also must clear the Office of the Professions. "If all goes well, we expect to be able to implement that program in all of '26," Dr. Duffy said.
The environmental science program will emphasize soil and water studies, and college leaders said it will be offered at the Queensbury campus with some courses in Saratoga. The micro‑credential work bundles 2–4 credit courses into industry‑recognized short credentials for people seeking rapid upskilling or an on‑ramp to degree programs. The college piloted an HVAC training cohort last summer with a local plumbers and steamfitters union site and has received additional grant funding to continue cohorts this summer, fall and spring.
The college said it has run a 30‑day generative AI challenge for employees and is partnering with an organization called Human Skills at AI to expand "AI agility" training to staff and community members. "There's about 30 of our employees that have gone through the 30 day challenge," Dr. Duffy said, adding the college will offer future cohorts to the public.
Leadership also described a renewed focus for the Saratoga branch campus on business, information technology and health care programs that target adult learners rather than a comprehensive residential campus. The campus redesign reflects local labor‑market advice from employers, the chamber and workforce development partners.
Looking ahead, the college presented a concept design for a "future work center"—a two‑phase capital project estimated at approximately $33,000,000 to support advanced manufacturing, mechatronics, electronics, and cybersecurity networking. The project would renovate the current Humanities/theater building into a modern manufacturing floor and upgrade cybersecurity classrooms; the presenters said the state capital process normally requires a roughly 50% state match on such projects. "The phase would be maybe it's building would be roughly 13,000,000, and then the remainder would be our doula call," Dr. Duffy said, describing the two‑phase funding approach.
Officials said the capital plan is intended to align the college with regional workforce growth, including the anticipated expansion of semiconductor‑related manufacturing in the region. The college said it has developed cost estimates and a preliminary design so it can pursue grant or corporate donor funding if opportunities arise.
Dr. Duffy, who said this is their 12th year at the college and that a successor will start July 1, closed by asking for questions and noting the college will continue seeking grants and partnerships to support equipment purchases and program roll‑outs.
