YouTube video of press conference
MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – SUNY Orange introduced its recently launched Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) program and celebrated reaching its target enrollment goal during a Tuesday (Oct. 15) press conference on the Middletown campus.

SUNY Orange has successfully replicated the ASAP program, a transformative two-year model that incentivizes students to enroll full-time and complete their associate’s degree in two years, thereby increasing student completion rates and narrowing opportunity gaps.

“This program aligns with both SUNY Orange’s mission of dedication to student success by providing accessible
opportunities for enrichment, exceptional academic programs, and pathways to meaningful employment while
fostering lifelong learning and our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan to empower student success and equitably link students
with their aspirations. Our number one goal in our Strategic Plan is to identify and reduce barriers to academic and
personal success. The ASAP program supports all of these objectives,” said SUNY Orange Provost, Dr. Erika
Hackman.

In addition to describing the background, evolution and success of the ASAP program, Hackman expressed gratitude
for the hard work and ability to nimbly adjust, as the program eligibility and participating degree programs were
expanded, to the ASAP leadership team; Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Completion Madeline
Torres-Diaz, Director of ASAP Sharon Munoz and ASAP Success Coach Alyssa Walrad.

ASAP provides wraparound support to ensure student academic success, retention, and on-time graduation. An array
of resources and supports - including funding to cover textbooks, groceries, transportation, and other costs of attendance, academic assistance, comprehensive personalized advisement, and career development activities – help
Pell-eligible students overcome barriers that can prevent them from achieving their goals and obtaining a degree.

“Student success drives everything we do at SUNY, and we are committed to meeting students and their families where they are to ensure they thrive; said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “SUNY takes pride in scaling ASAP and ACE as proven models for student success across our campuses and we look forward to continuing to invest in the next generation of SUNY graduates at SUNY Orange and across the system.”

SUNY Orange is one of 25 SUNY campuses statewide that opted in to the ASAP program and as of this fall enrolls 150 students to improve retention and graduation rates. SUNY Orange has enjoyed year-over-year enrollment growth during each of the past seven academic sessions, including a 6.8 percent surge this Fall. Since the pandemic, the College has focused on student supports to continue driving higher retention and persistence rates.

To be eligible to participate in the ASAP program, students may be new, transfer, returning, or continuing students, New York State resident or qualify for in-state tuition, have applied for both FAFSA and TAP financial aid or the Dream Act application and receive at least $1 of federal or state financial aid, enroll in and maintain a full-time student status (12 or more credit hours) and previously earned no more than 21 credits (excluding credits earned in high school) from another accredited college or university.

To learn more about ASAP at SUNY Orange, visit https://sunyorange.edu/asap/ or email: asapprogram@sunyorange.edu.

Event quotes
Following is a sampling of quotes from Tuesday’s press event speakers (with location of audio clips on the shared
YouTube video in parentheses afterward)

Dr. Kristine Young, SUNY Orange president
“ASAP is a program designed to help students enroll full-time and complete their associate degree program on time in
two years.” (2:04)

“I could not be more proud of our team here at SUNY Orange for their work, and I’m eager to see ASAP’s impact on
our current and future students.” (2:38)

Dr. Erika Hackman, SUNY Orange provost
“This program aligns with both SUNY Orange’s mission of dedication to student success by providing accessible
opportunities for enrichment, exceptional academic programs, and pathways to meaningful employment while
fostering lifelong learning and our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan to empower student success and equitably link students
with their aspirations. Our number one goal in our Strategic Plan is to identify and reduce barriers to academic and
personal success. The ASAP program supports all of these objectives.” (4:41)

Madeline Torres-Diaz, associate vice president for student engagement & completion
“ASAP is a transformative initiative that provides academic, financial, and personal support to ensure that students
can complete their associate degrees on time. This program has proven effective at narrowing opportunity gaps,
increasing retention, and accelerating graduation rates—empowering students from all backgrounds to succeed.”
(7:16)

Alyssa Walrad, ASAP success coach
“As we move forward, we are committed to expanding our outreach, enhancing our resources and creating an
inclusive environment where every student feels empowered to succeed.” (9:43)

Ann-Marlee Carron, SUNY Orange ASAP student, Marlboro High School graduate
“The ASAP program is helpful because you can receive a stipend for books and travel. Not only that, you will receive
one-on-one guidance with Alyssa Walrad, the success coach.” (12:01)

Cassie Deerr, SUNY Orange ASAP student, Monroe-Woodbury High School graduate
“Being a part of ASAP helped me navigate through my new major and formulate a plan for my future. It has also
provided me with gas assistance and tuition assistance.” (13:21)

Photo captions:
ASAP Event Speakers.jpg.
Speakers at Tuesday’s ASAP Program press event in the Shepard Student Center on SUNY Orange’s Middletown
campus included (from left): Associate Vice President for Student Engagement and Completion, Madeline Torres-
Diaz; Provost, Dr. Erika Hackman; SUNY Orange student and ASAP participants, Ann-Marlee Carron and Cassie
Deerr; ASAP Success Coach, Alyssa Walrad; SUNY Orange President, Dr. Kristine Young. The College celebrated
reaching its enrollment goal for the ASAP program and presented an overview of the program.

ASAP Student with Success Coach,jpg
A handful of SUNY Orange students attended Tuesday’s press event at SUNY Orange, including (from left): Ellie
Marin, Cassie Deerr, Success Coach, Alyssa Walrad, Ann-Marlee Carron, Nigel Corney.