SUNY Orange student Devshi Saxena, of Goshen, has been named the Northeast Regional Honors Council (NRHC) Two-Year College Student of the Year, a prestigious recognition honoring outstanding academic achievement, leadership, service and commitment to the honors community.

An international student who joined the SUNY Orange Honors Program in Fall 2025, Saxena quickly distinguished herself as a scholar, leader and community builder. She maintains a 3.96 GPA and will graduate with an associate of arts degree with honors distinction, completing well beyond the program’s required honors credits.

“Devshi exemplifies the highest ideals of this award,” said Elaine Torda, chair of honors and interdisciplinary studies. “She demonstrates exceptional intellectual curiosity, leadership and a deep commitment to both academic excellence and community engagement.”

Saxena’s academic work reflects a strong interdisciplinary approach and a willingness to take creative risks. Her honors capstone research examines stereotypes in the Bollywood film industry, combining cultural analysis with rigorous scholarship. She presented her research both on campus and at the NRHC conference.

Beyond the classroom, Saxena has made a lasting impact on the honors program. She co-founded and serves as president of the Honors Social Club, creating opportunities for students to connect and build community through events such as Friendsgiving and other campus gatherings. She also serves as Lead Peer Mentor, guiding first-year honors students and supporting fellow mentors.

“As a new student, I wanted to create a space where people felt comfortable and connected,” Saxena said. “Community is such an important part of the honors experience, and I’ve tried to make that a priority in everything I do.”

Saxena is also a student representative on the Honors Advisory Board, where she contributes to program planning, recruitment and student experience initiatives. Her leadership extends to communications roles as student director of honors publicity and student editor of The Transcript, the honors newsletter, where she supports student storytelling and creative expression.

Her commitment to service and engagement is equally notable. Saxena has completed extensive volunteer work and has taken on leadership roles beyond honors, including serving as founding vice president of the Asian Students Union. She has also participated in cultural initiatives that promote diversity and raise funds for community organizations.

With aspirations in journalism, Saxena has pursued opportunities to amplify underrepresented voices through writing and media. Her academic and co-curricular experiences—including a summer internship as a lead researcher for a podcast and additional coursework at New York University—reflect her drive to grow as a communicator and advocate.

“As a journalist, I hope to act as a megaphone for voices that often go unheard,” Saxena said. “The Honors Program has given me the confidence, skills and perspective to pursue that goal.”

Saxena’s achievements have already earned her multiple honors, including the Excellence in Philosophy Award, induction into Phi Theta Kappa and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.

“I would truly like to be seen or perceived as being committed to the community, not necessarily the accolades I receive,” Saxena said. “I am very grateful for all the opportunities I have and thankful to those who helped me. I will continue to be intentional and conscientious about the choices I make as I move forward.”

She is considering transferring to SUNY Binghamton for Fall 2026 and wants to one day find work that she finds exciting while aligning with her beliefs.

The NRHC Student of the Year award recognizes students who embody the values of honors education through scholarship, leadership and service. Saxena’s recognition highlights not only her individual accomplishments but also the strength of SUNY Orange’s Honors Program in fostering student success and leadership.

Saxena’s recognition comes during April’s Community College Month, led nationally by the Association of Community College Trustees, which celebrates student success and institutional impact. To learn more about the award-winning programs at SUNY Orange, visit www.sunyorange.edu or call (845) 341-4030 to schedule a tour.