Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) extends a heartfelt congratulations to SUNY Orange on being named the winner of the coveted 2026 national Bellwether Award in “Instructional Programs and Services” in recognition of its work redesigning math placement and pathways as a method to generate academic momentum for students.

The award was announced at the 2026 Community College Futures Assembly in San Antonio, Texas. With a focus on cutting-edge, trendsetting programs worthy of replication, the prestigious Bellwether Award highlights scalable practices and elevates colleges whose work is shaping the future of community college education nationwide. SUNY Orange was among 10 finalists competing for the award in the Instructional Programs and Services category and was the lone SUNY community college represented among the 30 finalists across the three Bellwether Award categories.

SUNY Orange also announced a record-setting winter session enrollment for the third straight year, followed by year-over-year gains to begin the new spring 2026 semester. SUNY Orange has now posted higher enrollment in 13 successive academic sessions and has seen overall enrollment surge 27.5% in that span.

“Assemblyman Maher is incredibly proud of SUNY Orange for earning this well-deserved national recognition,” said Meghan Hurlburt, chief of staff. “This prestigious award reflects the college’s innovation, dedication to student success and commitment to strengthening workforce pathways right here in the Hudson Valley. SUNY Orange continues to be a cornerstone of opportunity in our community, and we congratulate its leadership, faculty and students on this outstanding achievement.”