Corning Community College cites top graduation rate, expanding short-term workforce programs

Dr. Malaney, president of Corning Community College, told the Chemung County Legislature committees on Jan. 27 that the college achieved the highest graduation rate among New York community colleges and is shifting toward shorter workforce programs and grant-driven student supports.

"Among all 30, we hit a 40% graduation rate," Malaney said, adding the figure was about 5 percentage points above the second-ranked college and well above SUNY and national averages. He said the college also completed its accrediting review with full reaccreditation and 16 best-practice findings.

That statistic, Malaney said, reflects recruiting, retention and completion efforts. He described a return to positive enrollment after a decade-long decline — a 2.2% increase last year — and said the college expects to finish…