Patricia Claiborne

Patricia Claiborne
Middletown, NY

Pat Claiborne is a beloved mentor and local leader dedicated to helping people improve their lives in Orange County. Pat was born in Hopewell, Virginia in the segregated south. She studied applied art and received her degree Education from Virginia State University. As a Home Economics educator, with Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County (CCE Orange), she focused on nutrition education for limited resource families with young children. She managed the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program in its infancy, serving residents in Newburgh, and Middletown, and farmworkers at the Alamo.

Pat proceed to earn her master’s degree from Cornell University and serve as the Family and Consumer Sciences Issue Leader at CCE Orange. She expanding family programs to include human development, parenting education and the Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) kinship parenting program. Since her retirement as the CCE Orange Executive Director, in 2010, she continues her active community service and nonprofit Board service. Pat is on the Boards for HONOR EGH, Cornerstone Family Healthcare, RECAP, and the OC Human Rights Commission. She has served on Boards for Planned Parenthood, SUNY Orange Foundation, and Orange Regional Medical Center Foundation & Hospital (now Garnet Health Foundation). After retirement, CCE Administration also sought her expertise to serve as interim Executive Director for both the Rockland and Sullivan Extensions.

Pat touches many lives as a mother, grandmother, mentor, and advocate. She makes everyone feel welcome in her presence. Pat recognizes the long line of women, beginning with her mother, teachers, and colleagues who pushed and encouraged her to where she is today.