MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. -- SUNY Orange adjunct English instructor Marybeth McDonough has been selected to co-instruct a five-week course during this summer’s Vassar Exploring Transfer program at the Poughkeepsie college’s campus. McDonough is the first SUNY Orange faculty member to teach in the program since the College initiated its partnership with Vassar in 2011.

"Exploring Transfer" is an intensive five-week academic program designed for first generation college students who would not normally consider applying to a selective four-year liberal arts institution. Students in the program take two courses co-taught by Vassar and community college faculty, and receive the equivalent of at least six credits at Vassar. The program will be held from June 19 to July 21 on the Vassar campus.

McDonough, who joined the SUNY Orange English Department as a part-time instructor this past Fall, will be teaching a course entitled “The Meaning of Value” alongside Mark Cleaveland, an associate professor of psychology at Vassar. The course will challenge students to explore what humanity values and how that evolves over time by asking two questions: what guides our choices, and what gives those choices meaning?

McDonough has been teaching English literature and writing for more than 15 years at the high school and collegiate levels. She was recently selected to serve as a professional writing consultant at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and she also consults for the U.S. Army War College.