NEWS RELEASE

Immediate:  July 17, 2017

Nassau Community College Board Chairman Dr. Jorgé L. Gardyn Honored by Workers' Rights Group Dejus

Garden City, NY – Nassau Community College (NCC), is proud to congratulate its Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Jorgé L. Gardyn, MD, FACP (a resident of Garden City), for being honored by the Dejus Center Inc. of Hempstead, New York. The group is an organization committed to developing and expanding the economic, political and social power of Latinos and Latino immigrant workers. The advocacy organization provides advisory services, community education, civic participation and organization.Dejus Development Director Yenniffer Martinez noted that Dr. Gardyn is an immigrant himself and knows the unique challenges faced by others similarly situated: "Dr. Gardyn is the embodiment of the American dream, and is a role model to other immigrants who come here to find education, a job, and a better life for their families. Most importantly, Dr. Gardyn has not forgotten his early struggles and, as Chair of the Board of Trustees at NCC, he works every day to welcome Latinos and other new arrivals to achieve their educational dreams at Nassau Community College."Proudly accepting the honor, Dr. Gardyn noted that upon fleeing Cuba to escape a harsh political regime, his parents emphasized to him the critical importance of education. "My parents instilled in me from the very first, that education could not be taken away from you, no matter what else happens in your life. So, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Nassau Community College, I work every day to help Latinos and other new immigrants achieve their educational dreams at NCC at a cost that is within reach."Moreover, NCC President Dr. W. Hubert Keen, President of NCC, observed that Dr. Gardyn is a pillar in the Latino community, and that NCC is dedicated to the recruitment and retention of Latino students as they are amongst the fastest growing population in this country. "We are so pleased to have Dr. Gardyn as Chairman of the Board of Trustees; it sends the message to the Latino community that NCC is a college dedicated to inclusivity and diversity, and that we look forward to welcoming an ever-greater number of Latino students to our campus where they too can achieve the American dream."

Media ContactKate Murray 516.572.0611Kathleen.murray@ncc.edu

About Nassau Community College Nassau Community College, part of the State University of New York, is an institution where almost 20,000 full- and part-time students and approximately 10,000 continuing and professional students start and continue their successful journey through higher education. More than 70 fields of study are offered on a 225-acre campus located in the center of Long Island. It is the largest single-campus two-year college in New York State.

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