Nassau Community College (NCC) is a public community college in Uniondale, New York, United States. It was founded in 1959 and is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). The college serves the residents of Nassau County.
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History
20th century
Nassau Community College was created as part of the State University of New York (SUNY) in 1959. When the college opened on February 1, 1960, it had 632 students, and classes were held in an old courthouse. When Mitchel Air Force Base closed in 1961, the college obtained substantial property, including buildings to develop its new campus; the area is still referred to as Mitchel Field, and the government still retains some housing and other facilities in the vicinity of the school's campus.
21st century
On April 16, 2024, the school's food services vendor permanently closed its services, which included the cafeteria, snack bar, and on-campus Starbucks due to the school not entering a new contractual agreement.
In late November 2025, the trustees of Nassau Community College voted unanimously to authorize legal action after the State University of New York (SUNY) Board of Trustees rejected the college's presidential nominee, Maria Conzatti, who had served as interim or acting president for nearly four years. The SUNY board's disapproval was the first time it had blocked a presidential appointment at one of its campuses, prompting Nassau's governing board to prepare a lawsuit challenging the decision. The faculty, often at odds with Conzatti, applauded SUNY's decision. The college’s student government called for a transparent search for new leadership.
Academics
NCC offers Associate of Arts degrees in liberal arts, focused on humanities and social sciences, specialized Associate of Arts and Associate of Science transfer degrees, and Associate of Arts and Science degrees and certificate programs designed to serve immediate employment goals of students.
The college operates an astronomy observatory for its courses.
Notable alumni
Bruce Arena, professional soccer manager
Arjun Atwal, professional golfer and PGA Tour winner
Brian Baldinger, sports broadcaster and professional football player
Phil Baroni, professional mixed martial artist
Rich Borresen, professional football player
Steve Buscemi, actor
Matt Cardona, professional wrestler
Billy Crystal, comedian
Luke Cummo, professional mixed martial artist
Patrick Day, professional boxer
Tim Dillon, comedian
Chris Distefano, comedian
Rasul Douglas, professional football player
Jay Hieron, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist
Al Iaquinta, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist
Steve Israel, U.S. congressman
Nouman Ali Khan, American Islamic preacher and the founder of the Bayyinah Institute for Arabic and Qur’anic Studies
Jesse Lacey, musician
Josh Lafazan, Nassau County legislator