MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – SUNY Orange and St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) announced Wednesday (April 13) that the two institutions have signed a new articulation agreement to support the transfer of honors program students from SUNY Orange into the STAC Honors Program.

“STAC is passionately committed as part of our Strategic Vision to ensure ‘Access and Affordability’ for all students so that they can reach their full potential and make a profound difference in the world,” said STAC President Ken Daly. “Our partnership with SUNY Orange will offer honors students the perfect blend of academic programming, faculty engagement, rigorous coursework, and experiential learning opportunities to foster a seamless transition and timely completion of their degrees.”

Interested students must meet all SUNY Orange Honors Program requirements, including holding a 3.5 GPA and must apply to STAC to be admitted into its Honors Program. If accepted into STAC Honors Program, full-time students are eligible to receive up to a $30,000 scholarship per academic year as well as the opportunity to study at Oxford University in the summer between their junior and senior years, with all academic expenses paid. The STAC Honors program also features required experiential learning and internship experiences.

According to Dr. Kristine Young, SUNY Orange president, “Honors students at SUNY Orange seek out and accept a challenging curriculum, and they excel while doing so. This agreement with St. Thomas Aquinas assures SUNY Orange Honors graduates who wish to remain in the Hudson Valley during their academic journey have a pathway to continued academic rigor, research experiences and other opportunities that STAC will afford them. I’m confident our graduates will contribute greatly to the STAC community. This is yet another collaboration that unites SUNY Orange with great partners across public and private higher education in our efforts to empower student success by equitably linking our students with their aspirations.”

Applications for the Fall 2022 semester are being accepted until July 1. Interested applicants should reach out to Kaitlyn Healy, Associate Director of Transfer Admissions at khealy@stac.edu or Meghan De Witt, Director of the Honors Program: Recruitment at mdewitt@stac.edu.

About SUNY Orange

Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) enrolls approximately 4,000 full- and part-time students across 40 degree and certificate programs. With campuses in Middletown and Newburgh, the College has grown to meet the needs of its students, while also addressing the demands of a growing and diverse population in the Hudson Valley. Consistent with its mission to provide high-quality and accessible educational and enrichment opportunities, the College is noted for its commitment to ensuring student success. Since its founding in 1950, the College has earned its reputation as a pioneer and innovator in meeting the needs of its students and contributing to a vibrant and thriving community. Learn more about SUNY Orange at www.sunyorange.edu.