Nassau Community College in Garden City, Long Island, one of the premier two-year educational institutions in the nation, is looking to partner with the Sands Corporation for the mutual benefit of both–and for the creation of job opportunities for one of Long Island’s most disadvantaged areas. Nassau Community College already offers an Associate degree in Hospitality, therefore it is ideally positioned to expand its course offerings.
The Sands is applying for one of three licenses the state is offering to build a casino in the downstate area. It plans to build a multi-billion-dollar hospitality, entertainment and casino complex at the Nassau Hub, where the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum sits. NCCC, in tandem with the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, would like to become the primary employee training center for the company. The public-private partnership would include internships and experiential learning for NCC students who want to work at the Sands casino.
“The creation of a new industry with thousands of jobs in multiple sectors is a tremendous opportunity not only for our students but for the diverse populations we serve as a community college,” said Dr. Maria Conzatti, acting president of Nassau Community College. “Enhancing our curriculum with training programs, mentorship and internship opportunities in conjunction with an industry leader like Sands, provides an opportunity for adult students, career changers and all community members to be placed on successful career paths.”
The resort that Sands proposes to build, would be enormous, the site would include outdoor community space, four- and five-star hotel rooms and a performance venue that “honors the legacy” of performances at Nassau Coliseum. Similar to its Las Vegas properties, the Uniondale location would also feature celebrity chef restaurants, experiential events and flexible meeting and convention spaces. The casino, if approved, would be less than a tenth of the project’s total square footage, Sands said.
The collaboration between Sands and Nassau Community College would lead to programs in hotel and casino management, security and surveillance, meetings and banquets, entertainment, and food and beverage.
“Our company has a strong track record of partnering with a variety of educational organizations to put people on pathways to success in the hospitality industry and help them build the skills they need to increase their earning power,” said Robert G. Goldstein, Sands’ chairman and CEO. “We are making the same commitment to the Long Island community and have an excellent partner with an aligned vision to do so in working with Nassau Community College. We look forward to investing in people with any skill set or background who have a desire to be part of this exciting new industry planned for Long Island.”
