Nyaira N. Staley Named Nassau Community College Valedictorian for the Class of 2026

 
May 14, 2026, Garden City, NY – Nyaira N. Staley, Nassau Community College’s valedictorian for the Class of 2026, transformed personal adversity into purpose through education, storytelling, and perseverance. A resident of Lynbrook, New York, Nyaira graduates with a perfect 4.0 GPA as a Media major in the Associate in Arts program.

Nyaira’s journey to academic success was far from traditional. A first-generation college student, she faced significant personal and family challenges during her teenage years, including struggles with mental health. After stepping away from education for several years, she made the courageous decision to return to school at age 23. “I just woke up one day with a calling in me that I could not ignore,” she wrote in her valedictorian essay. “These past two years at NCC have been truly life-changing.”

At NCC, Nyaira discovered both her voice and her passion for media. Through coursework in journalism, documentary media, photography, radio production, and communications, she developed the skills to share stories that inspire others. She became actively involved with the college radio station, eventually hosting a weekly show focused on self-love, positivity, and personal growth.

Outside the classroom, Nyaira balanced academics with multiple part-time jobs, including working at Cox Media Group for 106.1 WBLI and WBAB, where she assists with content creation, editing, social media, and live events. She also works as a nanny while remaining deeply committed to volunteerism and mindfulness practices through organizations such as St. Joe’s Soup Kitchen and the New York Buddhist Vihara.

In addition to her academic accomplishments, Nyaira focused heavily on physical and mental wellness during her time at NCC. Inspired by her BioNutrition coursework, she adopted a plant-based lifestyle, joined a women’s fitness program, and now uses social media to promote nutrition, wellness, and self-care.

Nyaira plans to continue pursuing her passion for media, filmmaking, and storytelling, with the goal of creating meaningful content that encourages resilience, healing, and hope for others facing difficult circumstances. As valedictorian, she hopes her story serves as a reminder that it is never too late to begin again.

About Nassau Community College
Nassau Community College (NCC), a campus of the State University of New York (SUNY), provides a comprehensive public college experience designed to prepare students to start, and continue, their successful journeys through higher education. Serving more than 17,000 full-time and part-time students annually, NCC offers 70 degree and certificate programs. Through on-campus and online offerings, the College educates local and international students and boasts more than 164,000 alumni. Situated on 225 acres in Garden City, Long Island, NCC is located 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, the College has earned a nationwide reputation for academic excellence, affordability, and ease of transferability to four-year schools. 

Media Contact:  Brett Spielberg | brett.spielberg@ncc.edu | (516) 572.9634