Hempstead school district, Nassau Community College partnership to yield tech degrees

Hempstead Union Free School District and Nassau Community College announced a partnership with global aerospace firm Lockheed Martin and local Massapequa-based video-surveillance company IntraLogic Solutions to help high school students get free associate degrees in applied sciences, such as information technology and electrical engineering.

The local partnership was among seven across New York and the only one on Long Island to win about $3 million in state aid this year, according to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's office in announcing the New York State P-TECH program.

"This is a truly remarkable and unprecedented collaboration that will create numerous opportunities in students' lives and pay countless dividends for years to come," said Hempstead school district Superintendent Susan Johnson. "We applaud Governor Cuomo and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia for their educational leadership."

The first Hempstead high school students will begin a six-year course of study starting in the fall of 2016, which will include mentoring by professionals in a chosen career sector, worksite visits, internships and an extended academic school year in conjunction with Nassau Community College.

"Our objective has always been and will continue to be 'student to goal' in whatever form or educational path a student chooses to pursue, as we continue to forge new and innovative pathways for our students to obtain their college degrees, along with assisting in growing the workforce of Long Island," said Maria Conzatti, vice president of academic student services at Nassau Community College.

Associate Hempstead School District Superintendent James Clark said this grant "will even the playing field for Hempstead students to be college- and career-ready for the 21st century."