The State University of New York reported a 2.9% enrollment increase in fall 2025—the third consecutive year of growth—with community college headcounts up 5% and first‑time undergraduates rising. SUNY credits outreach, direct admissions and targeted scholarship programs like Reconnect for gains, though system leaders say they remain below a 500,000‑student target. At the same time, reporting on broader higher‑education shifts shows community colleges bearing the brunt of policy change and fiscal pressure: the Trump administration’s federal moves, changing funding streams, and workforce demands are altering how two‑year systems plan programs and partnerships. The SUNY uptick offers a state-level case study in tactical recruitment and scholarship design, but national demographic decline and funding volatility mean community colleges will need sustained state and federal support to sustain recovery.