MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – SUNY Orange has retained its Military Friendly® Silver School designation for the 2024-25 academic year, placing the College among the nation’s top 20 percent of higher education institutions in the rankings produced annually by Viqtory Media.

It marks the fifth year in a row, and ninth time in the past 12 years, that the College has earned a Military Friendly® designation. It is SUNY Orange’s second consecutive Silver designation, and third overall following a similar commendation in 2018-19.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-25 survey with 537 earning special awards for going above the standards. The 2024-25 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey scores with the assessment of the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

“I am deeply appreciative to everyone at SUNY Orange who contributes to supporting the veterans and their families within our College community. Earning a Military Friendly® silver designation again this year validates the great work we are doing in prioritizing assisting veterans,” said Dr. Kristine Young, SUNY Orange president. “Our active duty, reserve and veteran students, as well as their spouses and dependents, deserve our best efforts.

“We have developed an array of services to help veterans utilize their military benefits, successfully return to college life and succeed in the classroom. We greatly value our veteran students’ service to our country and their contributions to our College community,” Young added. “I’m also happy that we’ve recently named Air Force veteran Bill Ackley as our coordinator of advising and veteran services and look forward to his contributions to our support of our student veterans.”

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our process. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages institutions to consistently evolve their programs. Award level schools have gone beyond that standard, showing true commitment and dedication in their efforts,” said Kayla Lopez, director of military partnerships for Military Friendly®. “The Military Friendly® benchmark promotes positive educational outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community.”

SUNY Orange was also listed as a Military Friendly® school in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

To its students who are active duty, veterans, spouses or dependents of veterans or in the reserves or national guard, SUNY Orange offers a variety of services, including specialized academic advising, transfer counseling, transition assistance, personal counseling and accommodations for military students with disabilities. The College also provides a Veterans Resource Center where students can meet recreationally, gather to study and support each other. Collaborations with veterans services agencies and organizations within the county also bring an added array of resources to the campuses.

For more information on SUNY Orange’s veterans services, visit www.sunyorange.edu/veterans.

About Military Friendly® Schools:
The Military Friendly® Schools list is created annually based on extensive research using public data sources for more than 8,800 schools, and responses to the proprietary, Military Friendly® Schools survey. Survey questions, methodology, criteria, and weighting were developed with the assistance from an independent research firm's and advisory council of educators. It is administered for free and open to all post­secondary schools wanting to participate and receive award recognition in Gold, Silver, Bronze categories. Criteria available at: www.militaryfriendly.com.

About Viqtory:
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities through its G.I. Jobs® and Military Friendly® brands.  VIQTORY and its brands are not a part of or endorsed by the U.S. Dept of Defense or any federal government entity. Learn more about VIQTORY at www.viqtory.com.

About SUNY Orange
Orange County Community College (SUNY Orange) enrolls approximately 4,000 full- and part-time students across nearly 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. In addition to its traditional for-credit degree courses and programs on both campuses, the College is growing its non-credit/workforce programming under the newly branded umbrella of “SUNY Orange Plus” (formerly known as CAPE). 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.