With a commitment to finding jobs and internships for students and alumni at Farmingdale State College, FSC's new Nexus Center for Applied Learning and Career Development is now open for business.
The Nexus Center is a groundbreaking initiative to integrate applied learning and career development, both on Long Island and within The State University of New York.
At Farmingdale, applied learning takes knowledge and skills gained from the classroom and then applies them in a hands-on, real-world environment. Student experiences might take place at a research laboratory, hospital, darkroom, baseball stadium or on Wall Street. Then, once students have been immersed in a real-world environment, they are asked to bring the skills and experience acquired back to the classroom to enrich their academic work.
The College will take applied learning a step further next year, when it will be a graduation requirement.
Rena Varghese, Nexus Center executive director, said "FSC, as SUNY's largest college of technology and applied science, has already been recognized for its positive impact on the regional economy. Applied learning is key to our continuing goals of preparing students for the workforce and meeting the needs of employers.
"The new Nexus Center allows us to offer a unified front for external partners to engage with the college and connect with our students, which satisfies mutually beneficial interests."
The Nexus Center will help the College expand its already robust relationships with local/regional/national businesses and industries. Among those that have provided internships and employment to students and graduates are D3 LLC, Henry Schein, National Grid, Tesla Motors, Summit Security Services, H2M, and Enterprise Holdings.
Said Farmingdale President John S. Nader: "Farmingdale State College is a leader in applied learning and career development. Our Nexus Center will ensure that our students have multiple hands-on opportunities that will successfully prepare them with the skills and experience regional employers seek."
"SUNY has a longstanding history of providing our students with applied learning opportunities throughout their time on campus," said Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, Dr. Grace Wang. "Between the opening of the Nexus Center for Applied Learning and Career Development and making applied learning a graduation requirement for its students, Farmingdale State College understands the importance of providing students with experiences that will translate into a career. This requirement could not have been made possible without the support of the faculty governing body, President Dr. John S. Nader, and other campus leaders. We thank those involved in this process and congratulate all on the opening of the Nexus Center."
