Nassau Community College Students Receive Top Honors with SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence

Award Received for Academic Excellence & Record of Service

May 17, 2024, Garden City, NY — Michele Lanfant, Zachary Dumelle, Nicole McCormack, Justin Hernandez and Jack Carella are the Nassau Community College recipients of a 2024 State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.

To qualify for the award, students were reviewed by a college committee for academic excellence and record of service to NCC and the community. The College takes great pride in this recognition, which continues a long tradition of student excellence on campus.

The Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence was created in 1997 to recognize students who have best demonstrated, and have been recognized for, the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement or career achievement. This year, 193 students from 62 campuses were awarded SUNY’s highest honor.

Michele Lanfant
“I graduated from high school in 2021 and wanted to go to a “big name” college. I struggled in my first semester, and when I came home for winter break I thought about my next move,” said Michele Lanfant of Port Washington. After discussion with her parents, she decided to stay home and pursue an associate’s degree. A Liberal Arts major, Michele says that NCC changed her life for the better and has become a source of immense pride. “My professors have been so supportive of me and each one has contributed to the person I am today. I have encountered obstacles along my journey, but I have always remained determined to overcome them. Winning this award shows me just how far I have come,” she remarked. Michele is also the Salutatorian of the class of 2024. She plans to study French at SUNY Binghamton in the fall and hopes to pursue a career teaching French to elementary and middle school-aged children.

Zachary Dumelle
After a first semester of college out of state, Zachary Dumelle of Merrick decided that attending school locally was the best choice for him. “I felt that NCC would allow me to explore my academic interests freely without the pressure of knowing what I wanted to study. Also, I knew Nassau offered a top-notch education at an affordable price.” Zachary formed friendships at the college and made close bonds with some of his professors. “My time at NCC has been an important chapter of my life, marked by personal growth and an increased sense of social connectedness,” he said. The Business Administration major served as the president of both the Make a Difference club and the Entrepreneurship club while working as a student aide in the Student Activities Office and was a Student Orientation Leader. “It’s a tremendous honor to receive the SUNY Chancellor’s Award, which would never have been possible without my family, friends, and all of my professors,” said Zachary. He plans to study psychology at SUNY Binghamton in the fall and hopes to pursue a career in developmental psychology.

Nicole Mcormack
After initially attending an out of state college, Nicole began taking classes at NCC part-time to get used to balancing classes and personal responsibilities. “This year I got very involved in campus life. I am president of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Secretary of the Computing Club. I also work at the Center for Students with Disabilities,” said Nicole. She was involved with the Student Government Association, and even volunteered to serve food at study nights in the library and during Evening Activity Hours! A native of Glen Cove, Nicole fondly mentions her professors, counselors, and fellow students. “I am extremely grateful to have received this award. All of the award winners are so deserving and I am honored to be among them,” said Nicole. She was also recently awarded a Stay on Long Island Scholarship to the New York Institute of Technology, where she plans to study Computer Science with a concentration in Network Security.

Justin Hernandez
Justin Hernandez of Baldwin chose to come to Nassau Community College because it provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. “The college gave me an opportunity to pursue my individual interests,” he said. “For instance, one of my favorite experiences was participating in the club fair and meeting a lot of other students who wanted to become involved in campus life.” The Business Administration major has been involved with the Make a Difference Club as well as the Entrepreneurship Club. “It’s a privilege to be alongside such hardworking and dedicated individuals,” said Justin about winning a Student Chancellor’s Award. “It means so much to me that I received this honor.” In the fall, Justin hopes to attend a four-year college. He ultimately plans to work in the government as an economist.

About Nassau Community College
Nassau Community College, a campus of the State University of New York, provides a comprehensive public college experience designed to transform lives through higher education. Serving 17,000 full-time, part-time and continuing education students, NCC offers more than 80 programs that lead to an associate’s degree or certificate. Through on-campus and online offerings, the College educates local and international students, and boasts 168,000 alumni. Situated on 225 acres in Garden City, Long Island, the college grounds reside in historic Nassau County, one of the most desirable locations to live in the United States and an epicenter for business and careers. Since 1959, NCC has earned a nationwide reputation for academic excellence, affordability, and ease of transferability to four-year schools

Media Contact:  Gail Mattimore | gail.mattimore@ncc.edu | (516) 572-9634

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