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OpEd: Community College Is a Path to a Bright Future

community college
Nassau Community College

Community colleges are a critical access point to higher education and a bridge to fulfilling the dreams of so many students. 

New York State is rebounding and rebuilding after the turbulence of the Covid-19 pandemic. With deep ties to their communities and regions, SUNY community colleges can help you (or someone you know) seize this moment – and make education achievable.  Realizing that life is ever-evolving, community colleges provide a multitude of life-changing degrees and credentials that can be obtained via flexible on-campus and online offerings catering to both full-time and part-time students.

With nearly 80 fields of study, 62 degree programs, and 20 certificate programs, Nassau Community College provides an academic opportunity for everyone, whether it be earning an associate degree for an in-demand job, learning new skills to change careers, or creating a solid foundation for pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate degree. 

At SUNY Nassau, we support our communities and seek to provide students with equitable opportunities so they can achieve their goals.  Our students represent our communities and the diverse and multifaceted society in which we live, work, play, and learn. We are here to provide our students with opportunities that will allow them to advance academically, professionally, and socially – all at an affordable tuition. 

At a time when student loan debt is rising across the country, nearly two-thirds of SUNY Community College associate degree graduates have zero student loan debt. They leave our campus with no student debt, but have an accredited SUNY credential and a pathway to an in-demand job or guaranteed transfer to a bachelor’s degree program at another SUNY institution. 

The student demographic and the needs of the communities we serve are consistently changing and community colleges provide academic and social development opportunities that address these ever-evolving needs. 

Now is the time to consider your future and how higher education can get you there. Whether you are a high school senior eager to pursue your dreams, a working parent looking for a new direction, an individual who attended colleges years ago and are seeking to return, or a veteran seeking to pursue the college experience, there are a multitude of reasons why a community college could help you accomplish your dreams.

Jermaine F. Williams is president of Nassau Community College.

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