Roslyn Nieves has made history as the first woman to serve as president and CEO of Queens Public Television (QPTV), stepping into the role with a vision to expand the station’s impact and create new opportunities for Queens residents to tell their stories.

For Nieves, the milestone represents a personal achievement. After 17 years of serving the Queens community through QPTV, her new role gives her an opportunity to expand the organization’s reach while creating more space for residents to tell their own stories.

“I think it is amazing,” Nieves said. “But I look at it as just like community development. It’s a way to give back to the community on a different level.”

Nieves steps into the position with decades of experience spanning law enforcement, television production, public access media, community development, and public service. Before joining QPTV, she spent 20 years with the New York City Police Department, where she worked as a police officer, crime prevention specialist, media liaison, television producer, and on-air host.

At QPTV, she has spent the past 17 years producing community programming and building relationships with organizations, businesses, elected officials, non-profits and residents throughout the borough. She has produced more than 400 original programs highlighting the people and institutions that make Queens one of the most diverse communities in the country.

Now, Nieves wants to take that work further.

Her vision includes transforming QPTV into a modern multimedia production center where television, podcasting, live-streaming, digital storytelling and media education can exist under one roof.

The organization is expanding its production capabilities, including the development of podcast studios and additional production spaces. Previously underused offices and storage areas are being converted into spaces where community members can learn, create and produce their own programming.

“It’s do-it-yourself television,” Nieves said. “We’re making sure that people understand what the mission is.”

The mission is to put the tools of media production into the hands of Queens residents.

An author could create a program about books. A doctor could discuss health. An entrepreneur could showcase a business. An artist could highlight their work. Community leaders could use the platform to discuss issues affecting their neighborhoods.

QPTV provides training in cameras, lighting, audio and streaming, while qualified producers can access equipment to support community programming and events.

She believes that accessibility is especially important in Queens, where cultures and communities from around the world live side by side.

“You get everything and everyone here,” she said. “When you have content from QPTV, it’s like you have content from the world.”

Her vision also includes creating pathways for young people interested in media careers. Through a partnership involving the Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation, the Summer Youth Employment Program and QPTV, young people are being paid to learn television production and editing, including DaVinci Resolve.

Nieves also plans to strengthen partnerships with non-profits, businesses, and community organizations. One upcoming initiative, The Power of Nonprofits, will highlight organizations working throughout Queens and connect them with potential volunteers, businesses and philanthropic partners.

Her appointment has drawn praise from elected officials and community leaders, who have pointed to her decades of service and deep knowledge of Queens.

For Nieves, the historic nature of her appointment is important, but the work ahead is even more important.

Her goal is to ensure that QPTV remains a platform where residents can speak, create, educate and tell their stories on their own terms.

“We’re the facility. We’re providing that platform,” Nieves said. “But it’s up to you to fly with it.”

Community leaders have welcomed her appointment, citing her decades of service and knowledge of Queens.

New York state Sen. Leroy Comrie called the appointment a testament to Nieves’ dedication to the borough, while state Sen. John C. Liu highlighted her experience as a journalist, producer and community media leader. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. praised her ability both in front of and behind the camera.