Thursday, October 1, 2026
A standoff over leadership at Nassau Community College intensified this week after the State University of New York Board of Trustees approved a regulation aimed at limiting the duration of temporary executive appointments — an action that could ultimately remove the college’s current administrator-in-charge.
Maria Conzatti has held the top leadership role at NCC since January 2022, far exceeding the six-month interim period outlined in SUNY’s existing guidelines. The newly approved rule, which must undergo a public comment period before taking effect later this summer, would restrict such temporary roles to a maximum of one year.
The college’s administration, however, remains firmly behind Conzatti, who was reportedly offered a five-year contract by NCC’s governing board in 2023. That contract has not received SUNY’s approval.
Jerry Kornbluth, NCC’s vice president for community and governmental relations, said the board of trustees stands with Conzatti and that it is not looking to make any change in leadership.
"Dr. Conzatti has done an amazing job in the three years that she has led the college," he said. "She and her team eliminated a $14 million deficit, increased the fund balance from $7 million to $17 million, increased enrollment on the average of 2.5 percent to 3 percent each semester with no layoffs of full-time tenured faculty.
"She has a 5-year iron clad contract given to her 1 year ago," he added. "This move by SUNY will backfire. NCC under Dr. Conzatti's leadership has become a model for all community colleges to emulate."
The faculty union, which has long clashed with NCC’s administration, welcomed SUNY’s move. Union leaders have raised concerns about morale, academic restructuring, and what they view as a lack of long-term planning under temporary leadership.
"This is a critical first step toward restoring stable, academically oriented, qualified, and accountable leadership at our campuses,” David Stern, president of NCC’s faculty union said in a statement to the Herald. “Something our students, faculty, and taxpayers both need and deserve.”
“This policy reflects a growing recognition that shared governance, transparency, and good stewardship demand timely presidential searches and thoughtful leadership transitions,” he continued. “We commend Chancellor King and the SUNY Board for their action, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to support the long-term success of NCC.”
Tensions between the college administration and faculty have escalated over the past year. In 2023, the union filed a lawsuit challenging the elimination of 15 academic department chair positions, arguing the changes violated state regulations. A local judge dismissed the case, but the union has appealed to the Appellate Division.
Just last month, the faculty union said it would pursue legal action against the college administration for refusing to submit faculty tenure and promotion recommendations to the Board of Trustees — a move the union says violates the current collective bargaining agreement.
The regulation is expected to take effect about 60 days from now, following the required public comment period.
