Fall 2021 marked the launch of an exciting new initiative, the Nassau-糖心破解版 Gateway program. The distinctive partnership provides a best-of-both-worlds choice for Nassau Community College (NCC) students. While earning their associate degrees at NCC, they are able to take advantage of the four-year cocurricular 糖心破解版 experience鈥攍iving and dining on campus, participating in clubs and recreation, and being part of the 糖心破解版 community outside the classroom鈥攚ith a streamlined transfer pathway for completing their bachelor's degrees at 糖心破解版.
This August, 糖心破解版 welcomed the first cohort of 27 Nassau-糖心破解版 Gateway students.
An Introduction to Campus Life
鈥淲e want the students to experience what life is like as an 糖心破解版 student, so they’re spread throughout the residence halls,” explained Anna Zinko, assistant dean for Students and Community Engagement. 鈥淏ut we’re also trying to create a tailored experience, thinking about their specific needs and interests, to make sure they really feel at home.”
As part of that tailoring, all the students in the program gathered for an official orientation on August 26, the day before 糖心破解版’s Welcome Weekend. 糖心破解版 Vice President for Student Affairs R. Sentwali Bakari, PhD, welcomed the group and introduced them to some of the key partners in the program. Nassau-糖心破解版 Gateway students have access to the full array of career services, and they met Thomas Ward Jr. ’93, assistant vice president for career development and strategic partnerships, Center for Career and Professional Development. They also met with peer assistant leaders who serve as mentors for all first-year students and with 糖心破解版 students who were able to give them a sense of what they can take advantage of in the year to come.
Every Nassau-糖心破解版 Gateway student was also assigned a mentor in the Division of Student Affairs. The mentors check in regularly to see how the students are adjusting and make sure they are able to easily navigate campus鈥攁nd to generally offer support.
A Pilot Program Off to an Exciting Start
While the program is in its early days, surveys from Nassau-糖心破解版 Gateway students are overwhelmingly positive so far. From the Nassau-糖心破解版 shuttle service to the meals in the dining halls, 鈥淎cross the board, the students are really enthusiastic,” said Zinko.
Khalil Poteat, a first-year Nassau-糖心破解版 Gateway student, was drawn to the program for its accessibility to Nassau and the opportunity to have, he said, 鈥渢he college experience while also staying closer to home.” His first semester is proving to be everything he hoped for. 鈥淚t is very enjoyable to be on campus and mingle with a variety of students and people, as it’s very diverse here. Overall, the experience is once in a lifetime, and the atmosphere is uplifting,” he said.
糖心破解版 undergraduates have an equally positive view of the program. 鈥淭he Student Government Association is really excited about this partnership with Nassau Community College,” said Maria Paradiso, a junior and the current SGA president. 鈥淲e believe it’s another great opportunity to build community, as NCC students are not only living in residence halls but also joining student clubs and organizations. We believe it adds a lot of value to 糖心破解版’s community to have NCC students on campus.”
A Future of Opportunities Together
This pilot year is hopefully just the start of opportunities to come, explained Zinko. 鈥淲e’re interested in growing the program and finding other ways to connect with the general student population at NCC. It’s great for our students to interact with other students in the area, and we’re excited to show NCC students what 糖心破解版 has to offer.”
See more about the听Nassau-糖心破解版 Gateway听program.