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Chancellor’s Vision and State Budget Invest in ESF and Student Success
State funding advances mass timber innovation, campus improvements, and expanded opportunities for ESF students
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — June 4, 2026 — Yesterday, in his annual State of the University Address, SUNY Chancellor John King reinforced SUNY’s commitment to fueling student success, building upon SUNY's affordable excellence, and helping New York's students and communities to thrive. Chancellor King also highlighted recent wins in the enacted state budget, which includes increased support for public higher education, with targeted funding that advances key priorities at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).
The enacted state budget strengthens support for public higher education, increasing direct aid for SUNY by $54 million, while also directing targeted investments to ESF. The enacted budget includes funding for mass timber initiatives that advance sustainable design, research, and workforce training, as well as campus infrastructure upgrades, while also continuing to fund the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment, the Center for Sustainable Materials Management, the Timbuctoo Institute, and the Climate & Applied Forestry Research Institute. The budget also includes authorization for ESF to lease state property for the construction of a new dormitory for second-year, transfer, and graduate students.
“At a time when higher education is more important than ever, the Chancellor’s address outlines a clear and forward-looking vision for student success,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “It recognizes the critical role public institutions play in driving innovation, advancing workforce readiness, and creating pathways to opportunity. With the additional support in the state budget — including investments in mass timber innovation and critical campus improvements at ESF — we are better positioned to expand access, strengthen our academic and research programs, and provide students with the hands-on experiences and skills they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving economy. These investments will have a lasting impact not only on our campus, but on the communities and industries we serve.”
The budget also helps maintain affordability while supporting programs in high-demand fields such as sustainability and applied sciences. College leaders said these investments will strengthen academic quality, improve student outcomes, and support regional economic growth, as ESF continues working with SUNY and state partners to advance its mission.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.