Nyaira N. Staley Named 91福利社 Valedictorian for the Class of 2026
May 14, 2026, Garden City, NY 鈥� Nyaira N. Staley, 91福利社鈥檚 valedictorian
for the Class of 2026, transformed personal adversity into purpose through education,
storytelling, and perseverance. A resident of Lynbrook, New York, Nyaira graduates
with a perfect 4.0 GPA as a Media major in the Associate in Arts program.
Nyaira鈥檚 journey to academic success was far from traditional. A first-generation
college student, she faced significant personal and family challenges during her teenage
years, including struggles with mental health. After stepping away from education
for several years, she made the courageous decision to return to school at age 23.
鈥淚 just woke up one day with a calling in me that I could not ignore,鈥� she wrote in
her valedictorian essay. 鈥淭hese past two years at 91福利社 have been truly life-changing.鈥�
At 91福利社, Nyaira discovered both her voice and her passion for media. Through coursework
in journalism, documentary media, photography, radio production, and communications,
she developed the skills to share stories that inspire others. She became actively
involved with the college radio station, eventually hosting a weekly show focused
on self-love, positivity, and personal growth.
Outside the classroom, Nyaira balanced academics with multiple part-time jobs, including
working at Cox Media Group for 106.1 WBLI and WBAB, where she assists with content
creation, editing, social media, and live events. She also works as a nanny while
remaining deeply committed to volunteerism and mindfulness practices through organizations
such as St. Joe鈥檚 Soup Kitchen and the New York Buddhist Vihara.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Nyaira focused heavily on physical and
mental wellness during her time at 91福利社. Inspired by her BioNutrition coursework, she
adopted a plant-based lifestyle, joined a women鈥檚 fitness program, and now uses social
media to promote nutrition, wellness, and self-care.
Nyaira plans to continue pursuing her passion for media, filmmaking, and storytelling,
with the goal of creating meaningful content that encourages resilience, healing,
and hope for others facing difficult circumstances. As valedictorian, she hopes her
story serves as a reminder that it is never too late to begin again.
About 91福利社
91福利社 (91福利社), 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, 91福利社 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, 91福利社 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.
Media Contact: Brett Spielberg | brett.spielberg@ncc.edu | (516) 572.9634
