(GARDEN CITY, NY — November 17, 2021) — SUNY Empire State College and SUNY Nassau Community College held a formal signing ceremony to celebrate six new Pathways in Allied Health Transfer Agreements. The agreement gives SUNY Nassau graduates who earn their associate degree in allied health fields guaranteed admission to SUNY Empire’s Bachelor of Science in Allied Health online degree program, a Better Together Scholarship, and other partnership benefits.

Allied health professionals represent 60% of all healthcare providers, and the U.S. Department of Labor projects that healthcare careers will continue to grow 19% through 2024. In addition, an increasing number of careers in allied health require bachelor’s and graduate degrees.

The partnership also benefits area healthcare organizations, such as Northwell Health, and patients in the surrounding communities who will benefit from students’ advanced knowledge and expertise. Regional Chief HR Officer at Northwell Health, Kathleen Donovan, attended and spoke at the event.

SUNY Empire State College Officer in Charge Nathan Gonyea, Ph.D. said, “SUNY Nassau has long been an important partner of ours, and our missions share a lot in common. Both of us are committed to accessible, affordable, world-class education that is convenient to traditional and nontraditional students alike. We are proud to welcome SUNY Nassau graduates through this partnership to help them attain advanced degrees in critical healthcare fields. It’s a partnership that truly benefits everyone involved, including people in the communities we serve.”

SUNY Nassau Community College President Jermaine F. Williams, Ed.D. said, “Community colleges are a critical access point to higher education and a bridge to fulfilling the dreams of so many students. This partnership allows for our SUNY Nassau students to identify an academic path that is linked with their end goals, get on their path, and stay on their path while learning the essential knowledge and skills that will yield success in their lives. We are thankful for the partnership we have formed with Empire State College as we continue to advance equitable opportunities for student access, completion and post-completion success.” 

Regional Chief HR Officer at Northwell Health, Kathleen Donovan said, “At Northwell Health we aim to be better tomorrow than we are today in service of our communities, and we are delighted to be a part of this momentous SUNY partnership that sustains commitment to learning and paves the way in for our communities for careers, especially in Healthcare. SUNY Nassau and Northwell share a common goal to provide meaningful work and meaningful education to the youth and adult learners in our diverse communities and we look forward to continuing our partnership to advance a seamless movement from academic pathways to career pathways at Northwell.” 

SUNY Empire State College Director of Academic Partnerships Brian Goodale, Ph.D. said, “SUNY Nassau Community College and SUNY Empire State College have a longstanding partnership built on providing excellent academic opportunities for the residents and employers of Nassau County and the surrounding region. We are excited to offer these six new transfer agreements in allied health to support the educational and training needs of the essential healthcare industry.” 

SUNY Nassau student, Justine Rice, said, "I have never felt more confident in my decision to pursue my nursing degree as an adult. The SUNY Nassau multi-award nursing degree program has allowed me to pursue my RN at an affordable tuition while maintaining my family life and my current job. I am on my way to a great career that I am very passionate about, and I was able to do it because of the SUNY Nassau and SUNY Empire State partnership.”

For more information, or to inquire about community college or corporate partnership opportunities with SUNY Empire State College, visit the college’s partnership programs page.