Honors Program
Orange County Community College's Honors Program is designed to offer highly motivated and talented students opportunities to more fully develop their potential by challenging them to assume more control of their intellectual development, allowing opportunities for cross-curricular learning and providing more in-depth experience with issues and topics of global and societal importance. Exceptional students have increased opportunities for personal growth in areas of interdisciplinary academic inquiry, cultural awareness, community responsibility and transformational leadership. In short, we provide students opportunities to grow, discover and achieve in myriad ways.
Honors courses are selected from the general education requirements for the associate degree:
- English,
- social sciences,
- humanities,
- math,
- science
- and movement science.
The Honors sections of these courses offer enrichment through primary or alternative texts, outside readings, research projects and abstract concept development beyond the traditional course sections.
The Seminar requirement consists of a one-credit course for each of three semesters. The objectives of these seminars include:
- expanding students' ability to analyze and apply concepts to current events;
- transcending gender, culture, race and socio-economic issues;
- working cooperatively;
- communicating effectively;
- and enhancing leadership skills and qualities.
The Service Learning and Capstone Projects respectively provide students with opportunities to learn from community service, fund raising and volunteerism as well as immerse themselves in upper level, focused research and its presentation.
Graduation from SUNY Orange's Honors Program may enhance transfer opportunities to selective colleges and universities.
Mission Statement
The Honors Program of SUNY Orange shall enrich the college environment by providing students enhanced opportunities for personal growth in the areas of: interdisciplinary academic inquiry; cultural awareness; community responsibility; and transformational leadership.
Vision Statement
We aspire to be the most highly respected Honors Program among American two-year colleges.
Note from SUNY Orange President, Dr. William Richards:
"We at SUNY Orange take pride in the atmosphere of high academic standards that was created by faculty over many decades. For students wishing to go beyond even that normally rich, environment, I recommend heartily that you investigate our Honors Program as well. What you will find is a rigorous and deeply rewarding experience of academic depth, a special camaraderie with fellow students, and faculty, and an exciting opportunity to stretch yourself intellectually and socially."
Message from the Honors Coordinator, Elaine Torda:
While expanded academics are at the heart of every Honors Program, including ours, we offer even more. The program stresses the cross-disciplinary nature of learning, believing that all subjects of academic inquiry are as important as cultural awareness, community building, community service, and leadership. Featuring smaller, discussion-based (Socratic style) classes and assignments that allow for individual research and creativity, we stress the benefits of in-class education as well as the importance of non-traditional learning. Students who complete Honors are well-rounded individuals with a great deal to offer colleges, employers and communities. Our program is a work in progress; every year we add new dimensions to improve and augment the experiences of both students and faculty. Regularly we hear from our graduates about how much they appreciate what they experienced in the program and how much it helped as they went on to either other colleges or work; just as regularly, we incorporate the suggestions of current students to ensure the program’s continued growth.
We pride ourselves on a strong sense of community and a nurturing environment. As the program coordinator, I work with every student as both an academic advisor and an Honors faculty member. My office is adjacent to the Honors student lounge and next to the dedicated Honors classroom; thus, I am very accessible. Even more important is the fact that the people in our program spend time together studying, growing, and just plain having fun.
We hope you take some time to look over our program and then call me for more information. If you like to challenge yourself academically (in and out of the "box"), culturally, and socially, then the SUNY Orange Honors Program is a great place to start. Please join us and see how we can help you become who you wish to be!
Students interested in the Honors Program please contact:
Honors Program Coordinator
Elaine Torda
Phone: (845)341-4004
E- mail
