NYS Governor Kathy Hochul Talks with Future Leaders During College Visit

January 15, 2025

On Monday, January 13, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul hosted the first “State of the State for Future Leaders” symposium at the Bulmer Telecommunications Center at Hudson Valley Community College. More than 200 high schoolers from around the region and Hudson Valley students attended the event which served as a preview for the governor’s 2025 State of the State address taking place in Albany the following day.

During the gathering, Governor Hochul shared personal stories and offered her perspective on topics such as mental health, education, the environment and economy during the hour-long fireside chat moderated by Jane Fanning, a Guilderland High School senior and student government leader. HVCC Student Senate president Austin Shulkin provided opening remarks and introduced both Fanning and Governor Hochul to the college.

The governor highlighted several priorities of interest to high school and college students ahead of her annual address and stated, “New York’s next generation of leaders deserves the full range of resources it takes to get ahead — and with a creative, ambitious agenda to expand access to higher education and trades programs, improve mental health services and bolster recreational programs, we are opening up brighter opportunities for countless young New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “My State of the State promises to deliver on our commitment to make New York a place where our young people have access to the resources they need to thrive.

“The college was honored to welcome New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to campus for the State of the State for Future Leaders symposium and fireside chat held in the Bulmer Telecommunications Center auditorium,” Hudson Valley Community College Officer in Charge Louis Coplin said. “For more than 70 years, Hudson Valley has been a leader in affordable higher education that focuses on the excellence and success of the younger generation. We look forward to working with Governor Hochul and other state and local leaders to continue to ensure bright futures for young students and a skilled workforce for New York’s industries.”