SUNY Orange launched its Fall 2025 semester today, Aug. 25, on both the Newburgh and Middletown campuses, welcoming students of all ages and backgrounds to the first day of classes.

Among those filling classrooms are recent high school graduates, adults returning after years away from higher education, and learners aged 25 to 55 taking advantage of New York State’s SUNY Reconnect program, designed to help adults complete college degrees in select fields such as education and healthcare.

Some students found comfort in familiar faces as they began the semester.  Daniel Martinez and Kenneth Mendez (bottom right), both criminal justice majors, graduated together from Minisink High School and are continuing their studies side by side at SUNY Orange. The pair are also looking forward to meeting new people.

Isabella Bobea and Valerie Delvalle (right), both Middletown High School graduates majoring in biology, shared their goals for the future. Bobea, who hopes to become a perfusionist, said, “I chose SUNY Orange because I thought it would be an  easy transition and easy to navigate.” Delvalle, interested in becoming a marine biologist, added, “I needed to ground myself and be closer to home.”  

Others, like Garnet Health coworkers Lesly Soriano and Nelson Colon (bottom left), are supporting each other while pursuing nursing degrees at different stages of the program. 

"I was able to complete my GED here in 2022,” said Sylvia Rawlison, 39, of Newburgh. “I just graduated this past May with my certificate in early childhood development and care. Today is my first day attending classes to work toward my associate in applied science degree in the same field. I took the shuttle here from Newburgh and I am so excited.”

For 75 years, SUNY Orange has provided accessible, affordable education in health sciences, business, technology, the arts, and liberal studies, supporting a diverse population of students from the Hudson Valley and beyond.

Learn more about SUNY Orange programs and opportunities at www.sunyorange.edu.