New Community College Scholarship Program Announced by LIPA

Officials from the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) joined with representatives from Nassau Community College and Suffolk County Community College to announce a new community college scholarship program. The LIPA Scholarship is designed to provide education and training for students from households with incomes below the median income of Long Island and the Rockaways (approximately $100,000 for a family of four) living in historically underserved communities.

The LIPA Scholarship is a $350,000 commitment over the next five years to provide 50 full scholarships for students to attend either Nassau or Suffolk County Community College to obtain an associate’s degree or certificate that will help them pursue a career in the electric utility or clean energy sectors.

This investment is an effort to ensure that our workforce represents all the communities LIPA serves and that all of our customers can participate in the growing career opportunities available in the electric utility and clean energy industry.

Thomas Falcone, Chief Executive Officer of LIPA, said: “Electricity is the clean fuel of the future. Studies predict electricity will provide more than 70 percent of New York’s energy needs by 2050, and that it will be entirely carbon-free. With this growing industry, LIPA’s commitment to fund 50 scholarships at Nassau and Suffolk Community College over the next five years will ensure that our workforce represents all the communities LIPA serves, and that all our customers can participate in the fabulous and growing career opportunities available in the electric sector.”

Dr. Edward T. Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College, said: “The Long Island Power Authority’s generous scholarships will help us recruit and sustain students entering the STEM fields transforming our workforce and our region’s economy. With this support, LIPA joins the college in bridging our promising students from financial need to the high-need, high-wage disciplines that lead to a rewarding career.”

Dr. Maria Conzatti, Interim President of Nassau Community College, said: “Together with LIPA, Nassau Community College is pleased to meet the workforce development needs of our business partners and the educational aspirations of the Long Island community.”

The curricula offered at Nassau Community College and Suffolk County Community College include courses relevant to the work LIPA does to meet the clean energy goals set by New York’s Climate Act, as well as to fulfill LIPA’s mission of providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy to Long Island and the Rockaways.

The LIPA Scholarship will support income-qualified, graduating high school seniors, allowing them to extend their educational development and enter the utility and clean energy sectors. Participation in the LIPA Scholarship will provide graduates with a competitive edge in applying for employment at LIPA and its contractor, PSEG Long Island, who plan to hire hundreds of entry-level workers over the next five years.

This five-year program will provide annual funding for ten full-time, two-year scholarships for low- to moderate-income students who reside in disadvantaged communities, as identified by New York’s Climate Justice Working Group, planning to attend Nassau Community College or Suffolk County Community College. Residents of the following communities served by LIPA are eligible for the LIPA Scholarship:

Nassau County

• Westbury Village, New Cassel, Elmont, Hempstead Village, Uniondale, East Meadow, Valley Stream Village, South Valley Stream, Inwood, Oceanside, Roosevelt, Long Beach City, Glen Cove City, and East Massapequa

Suffolk County

• Huntington Station, East Farmingdale, Wyandanch, West Babylon, North Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst Village, Brentwood, Islandia Village, Bay Shore, North Bay Shore, Central Islip, Ridge, Patchogue Village, Yaphank, Shirley, Mastic, Calverton, Flanders, Westhampton Beach Village, and Tuckahoe

Queens County         

• The Rockaways

Awardees of LIPA’s Scholarship will have the opportunity to:

• Obtain a scholarship toward an associate degree or certificate program at either Nassau Community College or Suffolk County Community College
• Attend LIPA Workforce Seminars with utility executives and subject matter experts
• Receive job placement support for available positions at LIPA, PSEG Long Island, and other LIPA contractors and suppliers

The first recipients of the scholarship are expected to be announced in 2023. To learn more about the program, please visit www.lipower.org.

The announcement was held at the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center in Wantagh, an educational facility that LIPA maintains in partnership with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Source: Suffolk County Community College

SUNY’S Highest Honor Awarded to Seven from Suffolk County Community College

Seven Suffolk County Community College students have been awarded the State University of New York’s (SUNY) highest honor, The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence (CASE).

The seven Suffolk students are recognized for their integration of academic excellence with other aspects of their lives including leadership, campus involvement, community service and the arts (creative or performing).

“We are extremely proud of these exceptional students and their extraordinary achievements,” said Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Edward Bonahue. Suffolk’s students were among 180 students from 61 SUNY campuses to be recognized with the prestigious award.

In a letter to students, SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley said, “The CASE awardees we honor today exemplify the students who leave incredible legacies behind on their campus communities. These are students who fight, innovate, dream, and achieve. They are students who never fail to try their best and have proven that their best is extraordinary.”

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997. This year, CASE includes five Student Veteran Service Awards in addition to special honors for overcoming the odds, mental health, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Nathan Gardner, U.S. Air Force
Special Award Winner, Military Service
Suffolk Community College
Holbrook, NY
Business Administration

Nathan Gardner enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 18 and served as a nuclear weapons security specialist from 2008 to 2012. A business administration major from Holbrook. Nathan has a 3.8 GPA and earned Dean’s List recognition for the past three semesters. He is a member of the Honors Program, PTK, and Alpha Beta Gamma, serves as president of the Students Veterans Association, and is a VA work study student.

Sabrina Arocho
Shirley, NY
Liberal Arts

Sabrina Arocho, a liberal arts major from Shirley, has a 3.9 GPA and earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Sabrina serves as president of the Student Government Association, president of the Honors Club, and secretary/treasurer of the Criminal Justice Club.

Elida Blanco-Buitron
Smithtown, NY
Radio & TV Production

Elida C. Blanco-Buitron, a Radio and TV production major from Smithtown, has a 3.7 GPA and earned Dean’s List recognition each semester for the last two years. Elida serves as a senator of the Student Government Association, peer mentor, Campus Activities Board member, and a Get There from Here Scholar.

Armando Escobar Castillo
Brentwood, NY
Information Technology

Armando Escobar Castillo, an information technology major from Brentwood, has a 3.9 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Armando serves as founder and president of the Global Connections Club, director of student organizations for the Student Government Association, and a peer mentor.

Jasmin Martins Abade
Sayville, NY
Business Administration

Jasmin Martins Abade, a business administration major from Sayville, has a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List recognition every semester for the last two years. Jasmin serves as president of the PTK’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter, vice president of NY Region PTK, an orientation leader, and a Get There from Here Scholar.

Rosena Petit Homme
Bayshore, NY
Psychology

Rosena Petit Homme, a liberal arts major focusing on psychology, is from Bayshore, has a 3.9 GPA, and has earned Dean’s List recognition. Rosena serves as vice president of the Global Connections Club, vice president of Suffolk’s Book Club, a senator in the Student Government Association, and a member of the Campus Activities Board.

Daniel Canavin
Port Jefferson, NY
Liberal Arts

Daniel Canavin, a liberal arts major from Port Jefferson has a 4.0 GPA and has earned Dean’s List Recognition every semester for the last two years. Daniel serves as president of Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Zeta Nu Chapter, a senator of the Ammerman Campus Student Government Association, and is a Get There from Here Scholar.

Source: Suffolk County Community College