ECMC Foundation Awards Grant to Empire State University  

A group of five individual standing together on a porch
Pictured from left to right: Beth Colello, executive director of corporate and foundation relations, Shannon Pritting, executive director for the Office of Graduate Studies and Scholarly Supports, Lisa Vollendorf, Empire State University president, Veronica Fitzgerald, vice president for Advancement, and Mark McBride, director for libraries, scholarly communications, and museums at Ithaka S+R. Photo taken by university photographer Joseph O'Dea.
Posted On: September 10, 2025

SUNY Empire will collaborate with Ithaka S+R, Buffalo State University and SUNY Fredonia on Textbook Affordability Effort 

Empire State University, in collaboration with Ithaka S+R, Buffalo State University, and SUNY Fredonia, received a grant from ECMC Foundation to advance course material affordability across SUNY campuses. 

The project will include an in-depth analysis of existing course material programs, with an end goal of piloting several affordable course material models within the SUNY system and evaluating their effectiveness. The programs are intended to be used as models for other colleges and universities in the U.S.  

Shannon Pritting, executive director for the Office of Graduate Studies and Scholarly Supports, will lead the project on behalf of SUNY Empire. Pritting has already contributed to the university’s Textbook Affordability Initiative, which – since its inception in 2023 – has reduced textbook costs at the university by $5 million. 

“We’re excited to receive this support from ECMC Foundation and work with Ithaka S+R to find ways to systematically reduce textbook costs, which is a major barrier to access in higher education,” Pritting said. “At SUNY Empire, we’ve developed and implemented innovative ways to reduce textbook costs for our students, and we are thankful for ECMC Foundation’s support to investigate how to scale affordability efforts at a national level.”  

Both ECMC Foundation and Ithaka S+R share Empire State University’s mission to make higher education accessible to more students. ECMC Foundation has a North Star goal to eliminate gaps in postsecondary completion by 2040 so that underserved learners have greater opportunity for social and economic mobility. Ithaka S+R aims to increase access to quality college education and improve student outcomes. 

“Beyond making college more affordable, low- and no-cost course materials can help address institutional goals beyond affordability, such as advancing inclusivity, access, and instructional innovation,” said Mark McBride, Director for Libraries, Scholarly Communications, and Museums at Ithaka S+R. “This grant will give us the opportunity to document how course affordability programs are working in practice and understand the supports they need to thrive. This research will help us pilot and scale new initiatives in the SUNY system and beyond.”  

“We’re thrilled to support Empire State University and its partners in this important work to advance course material affordability,” said Amal Karim, Program Officer at ECMC Foundation. “Affordable course materials are more than a cost-saving measure—they’re a gateway to access and student success. By piloting and evaluating innovative models, this project reflects our commitment to removing barriers and creating pathways for underserved learners to thrive in higher education.”