Nassau Community College and Connoisseur Media Long Island Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Student Opportunities and Community Engagement

Nassau Community College and Connoisseur Media Long Island Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Student Opportunities and Community Engagement

Garden City, N.Y. — June 3, 2026 — Nassau Community College (NCC) today announced a new collaboration with Connoisseur Media Long Island (CMLI),  creating enhanced educational, professional, and community engagement opportunities for students while strengthening connections between higher education and Long Island's media industry.

The collaboration brings together NCC, home to the award-winning WHPC 90.3 FM radio station, and Connoisseur Media Long Island, owner and operator of several of the region's leading radio stations, including KJOY 98.3, WALK 97.5, 103.1 The Wolf, 94.3 The Shark, and 104.7 WHLI/1100AM. It is designed to provide students with valuable real-world experiences, professional mentorship, and pathways to careers in broadcasting, marketing, journalism, sales, digital media, and related fields.
 
NCC will provide Connoisseur Media with opportunities to engage with students and the campus community through WHPC and select college events. The college will also make available WHPC-produced public affairs programming, as well as student-produced content for potential use across Connoisseur Media's stations. In return, Connoisseur Media Long Island will offer NCC students priority access to internship and employment opportunities across multiple departments, including broadcasting, sales, marketing, graphic and web design, journalism, video production, and engineering. The company will also provide guest speakers for classes and academic programs, facility tours of its Farmingdale studios, and professional development opportunities such as programming sessions and industry feedback for  student broadcasters. The partnership also explores opportunities for WHPC students to access CMLI’s professional broadcast facilities at The Studio at The Paramount, offering potential live and recorded broadcast experiences and unique celebrity interview opportunities.
 
"As Nassau Community College continues to expand opportunities for experiential learning and workforce development, this partnership with Connoisseur Media Long Island represents an exciting investment in our students' futures," said Dr. Maria Conzatti, Chief Administrative Officer of Nassau Community College. "By connecting classroom learning with industry expertise and professional environments, we are helping students develop the skills, networks, and experiences necessary to thrive in today's evolving media landscape."

"WHPC has long served as a training ground for aspiring media professionals," said Shawn Novatt, Director of WHPC 90.3 FM. “I am most excited about the fact that this partnership strengthens that mission by giving our students direct exposure to industry leaders, professional facilities, and a clear path that can help launch successful careers in the media and communications industry."
 
“We’re excited to partner with Nassau Community College to help inspire and develop the next generation of radio and media talent,” said Kristin Okesson, Regional Senior Vice President and Market Manager for Connoisseur Media Long Island.  "Partnerships like these create a direct pipeline for passionate students to gain real-world experience, build important industry connections, and ultimately become the future superstars of our business. We appreciate Shawn Novatt and the NCC team for their commitment to creating these opportunities, and we look forward to working together to support students as they begin their careers in broadcasting and media.”

The collaboration aligns with Nassau Community College's commitment to workforce development, experiential learning, and creating meaningful connections between students and Long Island employers. Through this, students will gain greater access to professional mentorship, hands-on learning experiences, and career opportunities while contributing to the vibrant media ecosystem that serves communities across Long Island.

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.

About Connoisseur Media
Connoisseur Media is a leading American media company dedicated to connecting Communities, Clients, and Colleagues — the “Three C’s” of the Connoisseur Credo.  We believe that genuine connections are a cornerstone of success, and we deliver creative, results-driven media solutions that help brands thrive in today’s dynamic marketplace. Through local radio content, digital marketing, and integrated media services, Connoisseur builds meaningful relationships with both audiences and advertisers alike. Our commitment to community engagement, exceptional service, and forward-thinking strategies drives growth, fosters loyalty, and strengthens the bonds between people and the brands they trust.

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