Dutchess Community College Expands Support for Students’ Basic Needs

Lawmakers Visit Campus

Dutchess Community College (DCC) welcomed New York lawmakers this week for a firsthand look at how state funding is helping students address challenges beyond the classroom. Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie toured the Poughkeepsie campus on Tuesday, meeting with faculty, staff, and students to see the impact of expanded support services.

Services Beyond Education

The two-year college has broadened its focus to provide students with resources that address food insecurity, housing instability, and child care needs. Among the programs highlighted during the visit were:

On-campus food pantry serving students and their families.
Housing assistance for those at risk of losing stable living arrangements.
Community garden providing fresh produce.
Daycare services that enable student-parents to pursue higher education.

From 2024 into 2025, the campus food pantry distributed more than 22,000 pounds of food to 375 families, reflecting both the demand for support and the institution’s commitment to meeting that demand.

Breaking Down Barriers

DCC President Peter Grant Jordan emphasized that providing basic needs is central to student success.

“All of these things can be distractions,” Jordan said. “But they are barriers that we strive to eliminate so that individuals of all ages can access a higher education.”

Jordan explained that by reducing these pressures, students are able to focus more fully on academics, career training, and long-term goals.

Lawmakers Highlight Impact

Assemblymember Barrett praised the college’s holistic approach, noting that many students across the state face challenges outside the classroom that can derail their education. Speaker Heastie echoed that sentiment, saying that investments in student support services ultimately strengthen communities by ensuring more students graduate with the skills needed in today’s workforce.

The visit was part of a broader legislative push to understand how state funding is being used at the local level and to consider how programs like those at DCC could serve as a model for other institutions.

Student Voices

Students who spoke with lawmakers shared how services like the food pantry and daycare made it possible for them to stay enrolled. One student-parent described how access to affordable child care allowed her to attend classes consistently, while another noted that the pantry helped ease the burden of choosing between food and textbooks.

Looking Ahead

College officials say they plan to continue expanding their services to meet growing demand. With state support, DCC hopes to strengthen partnerships with local organizations, enhance the capacity of its food pantry, and explore additional housing options for students.

For lawmakers, the visit underscored the role community colleges play not just in education, but in addressing the day-to-day challenges that can stand between students and a diploma.