Nassau Community College's accreditation has been reaffirmed for another eight years, after it was flagged earlier this year for issues related to "campus climate" and for not having a permanent president, according to information provided by the college.

Both the evaluating agency, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and the college confirmed the re-accreditation. 

"The faculty, administration and staff at NCC have worked very hard to have the institution’s accreditation reaffirmed by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education as part of our ongoing efforts to provide students with a comprehensive education and outstanding supportive atmosphere," Maria Conzatti, the college’s chief administrative officer, said in a statement this week. "We look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence in higher education and transforming lives."

Middle States said on its website that the college will have to provide additional information involving a "periodic assessment of strategic priorities, including those relating to campus climate" and "a record of responsible fiscal management, including preparing a multi-year budget and an annual independent audit." The commission said the supplemental information is due Feb. 2.

A spokesperson for the organization declined to comment further.

Jerry Kornbluth, vice president of the college's Office of Community and Governmental Relations, said that while the academic institution was "still a work in progress," the accreditation decision "demonstrates that we're moving in the right direction."

But David Stern, president of the Nassau Community College Federation of Teachers, pointed to the issues raised by Middle States. He said in a statement, "Nassau Community College has retained its accreditation from Middle States, but only under serious conditions — a clear warning that the college remains in crisis."

The commission's next evaluation visit to the college will be during the 2032-33 academic year.

Following a site visit to the college earlier this year, Middle States issued a preliminary report. That report has not been released to the public, but in a document provided by the college, many of their recommendations are outlined.

The document, an April 7 letter from Conzatti to Middle States president Heather F. Perfetti, addresses issues raised with two of the seven standards reviewed by the commission during the accreditation process: ethics and integrity, and governance, leadership and administration, according to the letter.

Recommendations related to the ethics and integrity standard included that college officials "eliminate communication barriers between constituents groups," develop strategies to support a climate of respect and share "readily accessible" resources where approved and final decisions are communicated, according to the letter.

In the letter, Conzatti responded to those recommendations by pointing to initiatives she said were already established by the college or that were in the works. For instance, she said the college had submitted a request for proposals to hire a consultant "specializing in conflict resolution and organizational civility" to develop a plan to implement in the upcoming school year.

Among the recommendations related to the governance, leadership and administration standard was that the college must appoint a permanent president to "help bring stability to the institution."

Conzatti has led the institution in an interim or acting capacity since the departure of Jermaine Williams in 2022. Her leadership has been a point of contention, with the SUNY Board of Trustees approving a regulation in June that would limit appointments of an administrator-in-charge to one year, Newsday previously reported.

Nassau college officials have said they stand behind Conzatti. They have blamed the SUNY board for delaying her appointment, which they said was approved by the college's board of trustees.

Kornbluth said under Conzatti's leadership, the college has erased a multimillion-dollar deficit, while increasing enrollment student enrollment and the school's fund balance. 

"We're confident that she will remain in the position," he said, noting she had four years left in her contract.

In 2016, the college was placed on probation after Middle States found that the college was out of compliance with seven of the 14 standards it used at the time. Those standards included stable leadership, integrity, planning and financial resources, Newsday previously reported.

The college was taken off probation the next year after it was found to be in compliance with the 14 standards needed for accreditation.