SUNY Old Westbury has been named to Newsweek’s and Gender Fair’s inaugural “America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026” list, ranking number 143 and landing in the top 150 out of more than 1,200 colleges and universities nationwide. 

“It’s a confirmation of our values,” said SUNY Old Westbury President Timothy E. Sams, who framed the recognition as a public confirmation of values the campus has emphasized since its founding.  

He said that success, equity, inclusion and social justice are central to the institution’s identity. 

“Women are expected to be central to the life of the university,” Sams said. “Women lead at our university.” 

The recognition places SUNY Old Westbury in a broader national conversation about gender equity in higher education. Women now make up the majority of college students nationwide, yet representation in leadership roles and access to equitable opportunities vary significantly by institution. 

Founded nearly 60 years ago on principles of expanding educational opportunity, SUNY Old Westbury has long positioned itself as an institution committed to removing barriers and fostering transformational education. Sams said the ranking reinforces that identity. 

“When we open our doors, everybody should feel like they belong and they matter,” he said. And everybody should leave empowered to own their future.” 

For student Nisa Santos, the ranking didn’t feel like a surprise – it felt like something she could point to on any normal day. 

“It definitely fits,” Santos said. “There’s a lot of women in this school… it’s a very safe place for women in general… and a lot of clubs are run by women.” 

To her, the recognition reflects something visible during Common Hour in the Campus Center, in classrooms, and in student organizations: women showing up, leading and shaping campus culture. 

“There’s a lot of help,” Santos said. “A lot of places where women can go and just feel safe.” 

That day-to-day experience is exactly what the list claims to measure. The Newsweek and Gender Fair rankings are built from federal datasets including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and the Campus Safety and Security Database. 

Colleges are evaluated across four categories: leadership, pay and policies, safety and opportunity.SUNY Old Westbury posted online that the ranking draws from the UN Women and UN Global Compact “women’s empowerment principles.” 

But beyond metrics and statistics, students say the recognition feels personal. 

Santos said resources that meet students where they are – including free menstrual products and supportive health services.

“The nurses… they really help and they make sure that what you’re feeling isn’t … shying you away,” Santos said. ‘I’ve been here for about two and a half years and I’ve never dealt with anything… negative… I just feel very safe at this school.”

She also highlighted the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies center as a space that fosters empowerment and inclusion. 

“It’s just a place to empower women and include LGBTQ,” Santos said. “It doesn’t matter what race you are or what your sexuality is – you’ll feel safe over there.”

Sams, the president of SUNY Old Westbury, connected the recognition directly to leadership culture across campus.From his cabinet to student organizations, Sams described women occupying prominent leadership roles at multiple levels. 

“When I go to clubs and organizations, women are leading them,” Sams said. “They’re stepping up. They’re not on the sideline about it.”

Santos echoed that observation, describing how leadership stands out at a smaller campus. 

“You notice it quickly,” Santos said. “It’s easier to find your group here, and a lot of times, women are the ones organizing things or running meetings.”

For prospective students considering SUNY Old Westbury, Santos kept her advice simple. 

“You’re gonna get your education, you’re gonna be safe and you’re just gonna have a lot of fun,” she said. “You should definitely choose Old Westbury.” 

Faculty perspectives brought both pride and reflection. 

Sociology professor Jillian Crocker said her initial reaction to the designation was curiosity about how the ranking defined “best,” but she also emphasized that SUNY Old Westbury has invested for decades in creating academic spaces. 

“As a sociologist, I always wonder about the measures,” Crocker said. “But certainly, this is something the university should be proud of.”

Crocker described the recognition as reflective of long-standing efforts to support students across demographic groups, particularly women and gender-diverse students. 

“We have faculty who are invested in students being successful,” Crocker said. “Especially those who might be overlooked in other contexts.”

She pointed to mentorship, inclusive classroom practices, and leadership development opportunities across campus – including WGSS – as key components of that environment. 

“Students are able to pursue internships, volunteer opportunities, and develop the skills to share their passions,” Crocker said. 

At the same time, Crocker emphasized that continued recognition requires continued investment. 

“If we are to maintain the standard that allowed us to achieve this recognition, then we need to continue to invest in the people and initiatives that made it possible,” Crocker said. 

That investment, she noted, includes faculty, expertise, staff support and financial resources to sustain programming and mentorship. 

At SUNY Old Westbury, students say what makes the difference isn’t just representation — it is atmosphere. 

“It just feels supportive,” Santos said. “You don’t feel judged. You don’t feel out of place.”

For her, the ranking is not just a number. 

“It just makes sense,” Santos said. 

And on a campus where women visibly lead discussions, clubs, classrooms and conversations – that lived experience may be the strongest measure of all.