After balancing seven years of work as a dental assistant, raising her young son as a single mother and pursuing college courses in her second language, SUNY Orange student Olena-Yuliia Nakonechna has been named a 2026 World Impact Scholar and awarded a $2,500 scholarship recognizing her academic achievement and dedication.

Nakonechna, a Monroe resident who graduated from high school in Lviv, Ukraine, has lived in the United States for nine years. She currently maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA and was recently accepted into the highly competitive Dental Hygiene program at SUNY Orange for the Fall 2026 semester.

She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community college students.

Supported by an investment from Coca-Cola North America, the World Impact Scholars program honors community college students whose academic and career paths align with critical workforce needs. The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate resilience, leadership and the potential to make a meaningful impact in their professions and communities.

“I am a single mother. My son, Daniel, is seven and the most important person in my life — he is why I am here,” Nakonechna said. “SUNY Orange feels like home. Everyone has been very kind and supportive.”

Her acceptance into SUNY Orange’s Dental Hygiene program marks the next step toward a healthcare career she has spent years building while balancing work, family responsibilities and academics.

When asked what advice she would give adults considering returning to college, Nakonechna said, “It’s never too late to go after your goals. If I can do this with English as my second language, others can, too.”

Nakonechna’s achievement highlights the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals and the opportunities available through SUNY Orange’s career-focused programs.

Students like Nakonechna may also qualify for the SUNY Reconnect program at SUNY Orange, which supports eligible New Yorkers ages 25 to 55 pursuing degrees in high-demand fields, including dental hygiene. Adults interested in returning to college can learn more about SUNY Reconnect at https://sunyorange.edu/suny_reconnect.