MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – Heralded as a leader who is “raising the bar” for community college education, SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young has been named a 2026 Trailblazer in Higher Education by City & State New York.

Young is making her first appearance on the list, released today (May 26) and curated annually by City & State New York, which covers local and state politics and policy across the Empire State. CSNY notes about the 2026 list: “This year’s list features officials at schools large and small as well as public officials, advocates, organizers and others who are reimagining higher education in New York … administrators deftly adapting curricula to new realities, visionaries rebuilding and reshaping campuses, and academics tackling the toughest issues of the day.”

“I’m humbled to be considered a trailblazer in higher education, but I consider this a shared honor,” Young said. “As president, I can work with the Board of Trustees to chart a course for the institution, and I can identify opportunities to advance our mission and implement our Strategic Plan. But it takes our entire College community to achieve success, from a visionary senior leadership team to a dedicated Cabinet to fully engaged faculty and staff across both campuses. And it is all done in the pursuit of student success.”

Following is CSNY’s take on Young’s impact at one of SUNY’s fastest growing community colleges:

At SUNY Orange, Kristine Young is raising the bar on community college education. The school has experienced enrollment growth for 13 consecutive sessions, marking a 27.5% increase since 2022. This year, SUNY Orange received the Bellwether Award in Instructional Programs and Services, one of the highest honors for such schools nationally. Among Young’s priorities as president is a focus on the role the community college plays in regional workforce development and supporting economic mobility. She recently received funding for the first phase of a three-phase, $211 million facilities master plan.

For Young and SUNY Orange, 2025-26 has been a banner year. In addition to the Bellwether award, continued enrollment increases and initial Facilities Master Plan funding noted by CSNY, the College has been featured in the recently unveiled 2026 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Teaching and Learning Edition and earlier this Spring a team from SUNY Orange was invited to present on successful student support initiatives at the national League for Innovations Conference.

In April, Young received the Distinguished Service Award from the New York State Faculty Council of Community Colleges. Under her guidance and mentorship, administrators and faculty from SUNY Orange are being selected as rising stars, cited for excellence, and integrated into statewide communities of practice where the SUNY Orange voice is shaping higher education for today and tomorrow.

Through her leadership and advocacy, Young continues to influence statewide conversations on access, equity, and the future of community colleges. She recently concluded a two-year run as president of NYCCAP, the New York Community College Presidents (2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years). She presently serves as co-chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, having been named to that post in February 2022 following five years of service on the Council. From 2019-22, Young served on the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Board of Directors, holding membership on its executive committee as well as leading two commissions.

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SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young (right) and SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. have both been named 2026 Trailblazers in Higher Education in a listing released recently by City & State New York. Above, Young presents a gift bag to King during the Chancellor’s early May visit to SUNY Orange’s Middletown campus to learn about how the SUNY Reconnect program is benefitting students. The program provides tuition-free access to selected community college degrees for eligible students ages 25 to 55.