SUNY Orange recognized nationally for revamping math placement, advancing equity

SUNY Orange in Middletown was named a finalist on November 12 for the 2026 Bellwether Awards in the Instructional Programs and Services category, a national honor that recognizes innovative programs in community colleges. The selection places SUNY Orange among 30 finalists across three categories and marks the college as the only State University of New York community college to reach the final round this year.

The college’s work began in March 2020 when the COVID 19 pandemic forced a suspension of in person classes and left hundreds of applicants unable to take required math placement tests. Faculty and staff from the Mathematics Department, advising offices, and academic leadership developed a guided self placement survey to replace in person testing. That emergency response evolved into a systemic reform that aligns placement decisions with curricular redesign to create clearer pathways through developmental coursework into general education and gateway math.

Early results from the new model have been measurable. Fewer students are being placed into the lowest developmental course level, while enrollment in gateway and general education mathematics courses has increased. Pass rates in gateway courses have stayed steady or improved even as more students bypassed traditional developmental sequences. Importantly for Orange County residents, equity gaps narrowed under the new system, with students from historically underrepresented backgrounds enrolling in and succeeding in gateway mathematics at higher rates than under the previous placement strategy.

“We were forced to restructure our math placement process out of necessity, but our faculty, staff and leadership approached it thoughtfully, creatively and with sound assessment methods,” SUNY Orange Provost Dr. Erika Hackman said. “Advising partnerships are essential to ensure students make informed choices, and ongoing data monitoring is non negotiable in order to evaluate and improve.”

The Bellwether competition draws subject matter experts, policy leaders, and practitioners who review finalist presentations. Representatives from SUNY Orange will attend the final round at the 32nd Annual Community College Futures Assembly scheduled for February 22 through February 24 at the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. Each finalist team provides a 60 minute presentation as part of the selection process.

“As a Bellwether finalist, SUNY Orange joins some great company with other colleges across the country who are innovating and elevating their teaching and learning environments for the benefit of community college students,” said SUNY Orange President Dr. Kristine Young. “I commend our academic leadership, specifically Dr. Erika Hackman and Dr. Josh Lavorgna, as well as our entire Math Department faculty, for embracing a student first solution that has enhanced student outcomes.”

Beyond institutional recognition, the reform has local public health and economic implications. Higher rates of college completion and smoother entry into credentialed programs can improve workforce readiness in healthcare and other sectors that Orange County needs. Educational attainment is closely linked to better long term health outcomes, economic stability, and reduced disparities. By narrowing equity gaps in foundational math, SUNY Orange’s model may reduce barriers that have historically limited access to higher paying careers for underrepresented residents.

If the college receives the Bellwether award, the program could serve as a replicable model for other community colleges in New York and across the country seeking equitable, data driven approaches to placement and curriculum reform. In the meantime, the finalist recognition highlights SUNY Orange’s growing role as a local agent of educational equity and community resilience.