On an evening in New York City, a home health aide finishes his shift, puts the kettle on and opens a CUNY application. Now, thanks to New York’s new “SUNY and CUNY Reconnect” program, they can go to college at no cost, study nursing and teaching and step into careers our state urgently needs. Reconnect helps close that gap by funding flexible pathways in health care, education and technology. Reconnect offers a practical route to convert that experience into practical settings by sharing their knowledge and experience, especially in teaching and health care. If we do that, Reconnect won’t just change individual lives; it will strengthen entire sectors of our economy and the communities they serve.