SUNY Orange student Mya Ramos will be presented the State University of New York Norman R. McConney Jr. Award for EOP Student Excellence during a reception and ceremony in Troy, N.Y., today (March 9).

Ramos graduated early from Newburgh Free Academy at age 16 and is a Newburgh resident. A member of the National Guard serving as a combat medic, she is majoring in nursing and is set to complete her degree at SUNY Orange in May. She has also gained hands-on experience through clinical work at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, further preparing her for a career in health care. Ramos is a recipient of the Daniel Prial Memorial Scholarship, established by Anne and Gregory Prial in honor of their son, Daniel Gregory Prial, who died in a helicopter training accident in 2021.

The McConney Award is presented to exceptional State University of New York (SUNY) Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students who are on track to graduate and have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, perseverance and courage throughout their college journey. EOP provides access, academic support, and financial assistance to help talented students with limited resources pursue higher education. These are students who have strong academic promise but whose life circumstances have impeded their opportunities to reach their full potential.

To be eligible for the award, students must be nominated by an administrator at their institution. One recipient is selected from among the SUNY colleges and universities that offer EOP programs.

Ramos credits EOP Success Coach Hector Leal with supporting her throughout her college journey and said, “Not only was he my EOP Success Coach, but he was also my statistics professor and pushed me to succeed. He is great in his role and nominated me for this award. It caught me by surprise, and I feel extremely honored. EOP has felt very much like a safe space for me and an open door whenever I needed it.”

“The EOP is a community within SUNY Orange that has always been in my corner when things were difficult,” she continued. “I also feel that same sense of connection as a professional when working with members of the Spanish-speaking community who may not have access to health care. I can connect with them, explain things and help bridge the language barrier, which can ease some of their stress.”

Ramos hopes to work at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall’s Newburgh campus. “I’ve always known I want to help people, and I know I can make a difference,” she said.

SUNY Orange’s EOP program is funded through a SUNY grant. It provides access, academic support and financial aid counseling to low-income and academically underprepared students. Students in the program receive comprehensive wraparound services throughout the academic year, including specialized advising, career assessment and planning, and financial literacy. Students also have access to individualized support from program staff, including a success coach and a financial aid liaison.

The College offers nearly 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.

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