News

Welcome back to our incoming freshmen and ongoing students crushing it in over 50 different majors! BMCC is where dreams become reality, lifelong friends are made, and students discover their talent. Watch this Welcome video and enjoy your Fall 2023 adventure at BMCC! 

Orientation Welcomes New Faculty to BMCC
BMCC is known for its award-winning and compassionate faculty who go the extra mile for their students. New faculty were welcomed to BMCC in an all-day event held in a conference room in Fiterman Hall on August 23. President Anthony E. Munroe and Provost/Sr. VP of Academic Affairs Erwin Wong delivered opening remarks. Speakers included Math Professor Kathleen Offenholley, who spoke about the Professional Staff Congress (PSC-CUNY) and Media Arts and Technology Chair Christopher Stein, who spoke about the BMCC Faculty Senate. Breakout sessions included a focus on student and faculty mental health led by Counseling Center Director Neda Hajizadeh and a session led by Ethnic and Race Studies Professor Judith Anderson. The day closed with remarks by the VP for Student Affairs Marva Craig and Dean of Student Affairs Michael Hutmaker, as well as a campus tour.

Data Science Symposium Introduces Students to Exciting Opportunities
The BMCC Math Department now offers an A.S. in Data Science program that links to the B.S. in Applied Mathematics program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. August 21 through 22, BMCC students were introduced to the field of data science through workshops and visits to the National Museum of Mathematics. They also attended a symposium on August 23 in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. President Anthony E. Munroe and Provost/Sr. VP of Academic Affairs Erwin Wong welcomed the attendees. Math Professor Andrew Stout introduced keynote speaker Jeffery Painter, Sr. Director and Quantitative Leader of the Safety, Innovation and Analytics Department at GlaxoSmithKline. Speakers also included NYC Councilmember Christopher Marte and Mathematics Department Chair Fred Peskoff. Another highlight was the display of academic posters on data science concepts created by students, who received awards for outstanding presentations. According to one student team, Nana Frempong and Bryan Gonzalez, whose mentor was Math Professor Fatima Y. Prioleau, "The data science research project provided us with the opportunity to integrate computer science and statistics using data from the Environmental Protection Agency to show how air pollution can impact the asthma rates in NYC communities." See photo gallery.

Shirley Fiterman Art Center Presents “Black Exhaustion,” an Exhibition by Noel W Anderson
BMCC’S Shirley Fiterman Art Center (SFAC) presents an exhibition, “Black Exhaustion,” featuring the work of Noel W Anderson from September 6 through December 2. Black Exhaustion” explores Black male identity through American media. “As both white and Black communities hold-up Black entertainers—athletes, singers, actors—as paradigms/paragons of achievement, the works in the show will reflect these agents as appropriate subjects with whom to explore the requirements of racialized success,” says Anderson. The SFAC is in Fiterman Hall at 81 Barclay Street in lower Manhattan. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m., or by appointment through shirleyfitermanartcenter@bmcc.cuny.edu or (212) 776-5631.

Computer Science Major and Kaplan Leadership Program Scholar Jacqueline Yentumi Accepted to Wellesley College Kaplan Leadership Program scholar and Computer Science major Jacqueline Yentumi has been accepted to Wellesley College, a private women’s college in Massachusetts and one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in the country. Since the inception of the Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF) in 2006, Kaplan Leadership Scholars—primarily first-generation college students—have consistently earned admission to the country’s most competitive schools; 92% of Kaplan scholars have gone on to earn a bachelor’s degree. “As the recent affirmative action ruling will make it more challenging for selective colleges and universities to attract underrepresented students, the transformative work of KEF becomes more important and relevant than ever," says Nolvia Delgado, BMCC alumna and KEF Executive Director.

Professor Donoso Macaya Publishes Two Scholarly Books and More BMCC Modern Languages Professor Ángeles Donoso Macaya will deliver the prestigious Inaugural David William Foster Memorial Keynote Lecture at Arizona State University on October 17. Professor Donoso Macaya also just published two books in Chile. “Lanallwe” was released by Tusquets Editores in June. Written during her 2020-2021 BMCC sabbatical, it is featured in an author interview in Culto from La Tercera, a prominent Chilean newspaper. “Archivo imperfecto/imperfect archive,” published by Metales Pesados in July 2023, is a bilingual work Professor Donoso Macaya wrote in collaboration with Chilean photographer Paz Errázuriz and which was made possible by a FONDART Artistic Grant from the Consejo Nacional de las Culturas, las Artes y el Patrimonio. The book launch took place in July with a full house at the National Arts Museum in Santiago.

Making Headlines

Kaplan Educational Foundation Executive Director, BMCC alumna Nolvia Delgado offers insight into the value of community colleges
August 16, 2023—Huffington Post

BMCC Writing Center assistant, Queens College lecturer, Victoria Lau, profiled
August 16, 2023—Queens Gazette

Did You Know?

Announcements

BMCC Commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington
On August 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street, BMCC faculty, staff and students will gather to honor the 60th anniversary of the historic March on Washington. Sixty years ago, on August 28, 1963, a quarter of a million people converged on Washington, D.C. to march for civil and economic rights for Black communities across America. It was during this event that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, calling for an end to racism. The BMCC event will offer a unique opportunity to hear first-hand accounts from faculty who participated in the March on Washington. Audience members will also have the chance to make posters and advocacy buttons. This event is sponsored by the Office of Student Affairs. If you have questions, please contact (212) 220-8130 or studentaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu.

How to Set Up Ring Central
Welcome, staff and faculty to the Fall 2023 semester! For questions on how to set up or work with a Ring Central account at BMCC, visit the Ring Central resources page. There, you will find written instructions, videos and a Q&A with commonly asked questions about the phone console.

BMCC Cafeteria Is Open for Fall The BMCC Cafeteria at 199 Chambers Street, also known as MBJ Food Services, serves hot meals, salads, healthy snacks, coffee and more. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Students Facing Food Insecurity Can Visit the Panther Pantry BMCC is a member of the College and University Food Bank Alliance. Students facing a food emergency can take home nutritionally balanced, non-perishable and frozen food items by visiting the Panther Pantry in the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC), 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Virtual IDs Available for Students
The virtual ID is exclusively offered to BMCC students, granting convenient access to campus facilities. To obtain a virtual ID, students must be enrolled in classes, have access to student email and have an ID picture taken. Contact the BMCC IT Service Desk support team for more information.

Learn About BMCC’s Office of Accessibility
BMCC’s Office of Accessibility is available in-person and on a virtual basis Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Instructions on how students can register to receive reasonable accommodations, as well as answers to frequently asked questions can be found on the office webpage.

BMCC Bookstore Hours
Visit the BMCC Bookstore online 24/7, or visit in person on the following days and times:

• August 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
• August 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.;
• August 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.;
• August 28, 29, 30 and 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
• September 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
• September 2, 3 and 4 CLOSED;
• September 5, 6 and 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
• September 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and
• September 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

BMCC Closed Monday, September 4
In observance of Labor Day, BMCC will be closed on Monday, September 4. Visit the CUNY Employee Holiday and Leave Calendar for more information.

Enrollment

There’s Still Time to Register for Fall 2023 Express Sessions
BMCC is offering two express sessions this fall. There is a 7-week session from September 5 to October 24, and an 8-week session from October 26 to December 20. While the Express Sessions give students the flexibility to take courses during a shorter time frame, please keep in mind that they offer limited course offerings and have some financial aid limitations. Learn more here. Students are encouraged to speak with an advisor to determine whether the Express Sessions are the best option for them. They can register on CUNYfirst or meet with a Panther Station Specialist on Zoom. For more information, visit the Fall Express page or contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Sports and Wellness

2023 CUNYAC Community College All-Star Nicholas Mattera Takes His Talents To Manhattan College

#PanthersTop10 Moment #4: Josanne Lewis Becomes The First Panthers Player In 18 years To Receive NJCAA All-American Accolades

Check out the upcoming game schedule on the BMCC Athletics page Learn more about BMCC’s recreation schedule, including the fitness center and swimming pool.

Calendar

Fall 2023: Welcome New Students!
August 25

Join BMCC’s Downtown Chorus and Make Beautiful Choral Music!
Now through August 26

Fall 2023 Welcome Week: Daily Events 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
August 28 – 31

BMCC Spotlight Series: Talk Directly With Admissions Reps
August 29

@BMCC is produced and published by the Office of Public Affairs.

Faculty and staff: Submit items for consideration in an upcoming @BMCC to publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu by 12 noon, Wednesday.