MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – SUNY Orange has earned the Military Friendly® Silver School designation for the 2025-26 academic year, placing it among the nation’s top 20% of colleges supporting veterans and military-connected students. This marks the College’s third consecutive Silver designation and signals the 10th time in the past 13 years that the College has earned a Military Friendly® recognition.

Produced by Viqtory Media, the Military Friendly® designation, evaluates institutions using both public data sources and proprietary survey responses from over 1,800 participating schools. Rankings consider factors critical to veteran success including student retention, graduation rates, job placement, and support services specifically for the military community.

SUNY Orange was among just 830 schools nationwide to earn special recognition for exceeding standard criteria. The complete 2025-2026 Military Friendly® Schools list will be published in the May and October issues of G.I. Jobs magazine and at www.militaryfriendly.com.

The College offers veterans and military-connected students:

• Specialized academic advising
• Dedicated Veterans Resource Center for studying and community building
• Accommodations for military students with disabilities
• Transition assistance and personal counseling services
• Connections to county veteran service organizations and resources
• Financial aid guidance specific to military benefits

“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. I’m appreciative of the staff and faculty who support our veterans in a variety of ways under the guidance of Bill Ackley who oversees our veterans services initiatives.”

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the military community,” said Kayla Lopez, director of military partnerships for Military Friendly®. “This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages Institutions to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, exceeding the standard.”

Veterans interested in learning more about SUNY Orange’s programs should contact Bill Ackley at bill.ackley@sunyorange.edu or (845) 341-4227, or visit www.sunyorange.edu/veterans.

About Military Friendly® Schools:

The Military Friendly ® Schools list is created each year based on extensive research using public data sources from more than 8,800 schools nationwide, input from student veterans, and responses to the proprietary, data-driven Military Friendly® Schools survey from participating institutions. The survey questions, methodology, criteria and weighting were developed with the assistance of an independent research firm and an advisory council of educators and employers. The survey is administered for free and is open to all postsecondary schools that wish to participate. Criteria for consideration can be found 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.