MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – SUNY Orange students Sara Calle Alvarado and Brianna Reid were named recipients of the 2025 State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence during a ceremony held Tuesday, April 29, in Albany.

In total, 193 students from 63 two- and four-year campuses across the SUNY system were recognized by Chancellor John B. King Jr. The 2025 Chancellor's Awards for Student Excellence (CASE) recognize students for outstanding achievements throughout their SUNY experience in areas including academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, and the arts. This year’s recipients include a wide range of honorees including veterans, parents, policy issue advocates, and athletes.

“SUNY represents academic excellence, and our students have worked tirelessly to not only excel in their academic studies, but also stepped up as community leaders,” said SUNY Chancellor King. “Congratulations to this year’s CASE awardees who’ve distinguished themselves amongst their peers through their work ethic, determination, and commitment to their fields of study.”

Calle Alvarado, a Middletown High School graduate who lives in Middletown, is majoring in Business Administration. She serves as Student Senate secretary and holds leadership positions in several campus organizations, including president of the International Club, vice president of the Finance Club, director of community service and treasurer of the Mi Gente Club. She is also a member of the Business Club and participated in the SUNY Student Assembly (SUNY SA) this past spring.

She completed the SUNY Orange “I Am a Leader” program, served as a peer orientation leader, and was most recently named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List.

Her academic success has earned her numerous scholarships, including the Dean George F. Shepard Business, Max and Herbert Business, Markovits Business and Adelante Student Voices scholarships.

On Feb. 12, 2025, Calle Alvarado joined the SUNY SA delegation for Albany Advocacy Day, an event where students advocate for support from state legislators. She met with Assembly Member Paula Kay. Following that visit, she was recognized by Senator James Skoufis and received a Woman of Distinction Award at the second annual Women’s Recognition Night on March 14. The event celebrates the contributions of women across Orange County.

Reid, formerly of Chandler, Arizona, now lives in Middletown and is completing her degree in Liberal Arts: Mathematics and Natural Science. She plans to continue her education at SUNY Orange by earning a second degree in engineering. A former Student Senate president, she currently serves as a senator and is active in the Chemistry, Mathematics and Outdoor Clubs.

Passionate about environmental sustainability, she hopes to develop eco-friendly packaging using organic, naturally sourced materials such as hemp, and is interested in studying the use of fungi in building materials.

“I want to learn where I can help and where I can make a real difference,” she said.

Reflecting on what the Chancellor’s Award means to her, Reid added, “The day I received notification of this award, I was applying to colleges and worried I wasn’t doing enough to move forward. I opened my email and had a moment of clarity and validation that I can do this,” she said with a smile.

SUNY Orange offers 40 degree and certificate programs housed within seven academic communities: Arts and Media; Business; Culture, Society and the Mind; Education and Human Services; Health Sciences and Wellness; Justice and Community Engagement; and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

To learn more about how to apply to SUNY Orange, please visit: www.sunyorange.edu/getstarted, email: apply@sunyorange.edu, or call (845) 341-4030.