News

An Evening of Inspiration and Celebration at BMCC Invest in a Future Gala 
Tribeca 360 in lower Manhattan was the setting for an evening of inspiration and celebration, as well as testimony to the transformative power of education during the BMCC Foundation Board of Directors annual fundraising gala October 25. Emceed by board member Jessica Gatti, the event’s program featured stories from three students—Nanyamka Mead, Matthew Wright and Sarabiah Armstrong-Howard—who shared how donor-funded scholarships had enabled them to overcome obstacles, soar academically and gain invaluable experience as full-time students and interns. This year’s event honored Rob Fauber, CEO at Moody’s Corporation, which has welcomed BMCC students into its global business ecosystem through internships and mentoring experiences. Long-time BMCC supporter Elizabeth Butson introduced Tony Award-winning playwright, youth empowerment activist and poet Lemon Andersen who performed his poem “The Brown oneness of Our Dreams.” The night closed with a stirring vocal performance by students from BMCC’s music program. As BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe said in his remarks, the BMCC tagline—Start Here, Go Anywhere—“resounds with our belief that students from every borough of New York City and many countries around the world, are the answer to tomorrow’s questions.” See photo gallery.

Petrie Foundation Awards $250K to Project Impact to Broaden Community Impact
Project Impact at BMCC has been awarded $250,000 by the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation. The award will support the operations and expansion of Project Impact over the next 18 months. Now in its fifth year at BMCC, Project Impact provides a close-knit cohort environment for students who are completing their high school equivalency exam, are first-generation college students and low-income. About 80% of Project Impact students identify as having been impacted by the justice system in some way.

BMCC President Munroe and SUNY Empire University President Vollendorf Sign Academic Transfer Agreement
On October 26, BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe and SUNY Empire State University President Lisa Vollendorf signed a memorandum of understanding and ceremonially acknowledged a transfer agreement between the two institutions. The BMCC/SUNY Empire University Pathways Transfer program will enable BMCC Business and Paramedic graduates—as well as others with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science degree—to complete a seamless transfer to a bachelor’s degree program at SUNY Empire that blends online, independent and in-person studies for an outstanding educational experience. 

Italian Heritage Month Celebration a Big Hit, With One Day Left
On October 24, Dominic Scaglione, Jr. (right, above), star of Broadway’s “Jersey Boys,” shared his experience as an Italian American and actor in a live interview with Modern Language Professor Tom Means (left, above) in Theatre 2. That same day, audiences were treated to a talk by acclaimed actress, writer and theatre director Laura Caparrotti; a catered Italian hot buffet luncheon and tribute to Italian playwright Mario Fratti (1927-2023); a performance by students through the BMCC Music and Art Department, and a live performance by singer and songwriter Mario Giacalone. Italian Heritage Month closes on Tuesday, October 31 with a book discussion of Donatella di Pietrantonio’s popular novel, “A Girl Returned,” led by Professor Lisa Sarti. Learn more here.

Then and Now: A Retired Professor’s Perspective
Professor Kate Walter retired from the Department of Academic Literacy and Linguistics in 2018 after 26 years as a full-time lecturer as well as teaching in the Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development. Among other institution-changing events, including 9/11, “I saw students who were gay begin to have more of a voice,” she says. As BMCC reaches its 60-year anniversary, long-time faculty and staff are invited to share their unique perspective on how the college has grown and send their stories and unique perspectives to publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu.

The “Inquirer,” Written and Edited by BMCC Faculty, Releases Issue #30
Check out the Fall 2023 issue of BMCC’s journal the Inquirer, featuring articles by BMCC community members and edited by Professors Holly Messitt and Elizabeth Wissinger. This issue contains excellent articles reflecting work with students in these post-pandemic years, the importance of supporting professors’ as well as students’ full identity in the classroom, re-envisioning scholarship, book bans, generative AI and more. A call for papers for Issue #31 includes a deadline of February 19, 2024. Visit here to learn more.

Making Headlines

BMCC among five CUNY institutions included in comprehensive assessment process with National Institute for Student Success
October 24, 2023—CSIToday.com

BMCC among campus partners nationwide in Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) study, “Impacts of Faculty Development on Faculty’s Mindsets and Self-Efficacy” 
October 23, 2023—eCampus News

Ingrid Renderos, Director, BMCC/CUNY in The Heights, speaks at Hispanic Federation Education Summit
October 19, 2023—The Hispanic Federation

Did You Know?

Announcements

Maximize your campus event promotion
The Office of Public Affairs offers a variety of promotional avenues to effectively advertise campus initiatives, activities and events. These include digital and social media, the College website, print materials, promo items, publications, photography, videography, media relations and more. While not responsible for all college communications, Public Affairs can provide valuable guidance on the most effective strategies and platforms to meet your goals. To promote campus initiatives, activities and events, faculty and staff should reach out to Public Affairs for assistance. Learn more.

Learn About Disability Rights in Education and More: Oct. 27, Nov. 17 and Dec. 8 As a part of an ongoing effort to train and inform faculty and staff about the law as well as the benefits of accessibility and disability inclusion, the CUNY Office of Student Inclusion Initiatives and Disability Programs is sponsoring a 3-part series of 30-minute, virtual events, open to all faculty and staff. These include “Disability Rights in Education,” October 27; “New York State IT Accessibility Policy and Your Class,” November 17 and “Best Practices for Teaching Students with Disabilities,” December 8. If you are unable to attend, sign up to receive session recordings and resources. ASL and CART will be provided for all sessions. For questions, contact jessica.murray@cuny.edu.

Register to Vote by Oct. 28 Local elections are coming up this Fall. If you care about housing, education, public safety, youth services or criminal justice in your community, you will want to vote for the right person to represent you on November 7. Get registered before the deadline, October 28. Visit cuny.edu/vote.

CUNY Curates List of Online Resources in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the University Human Resources (UHR) Professional Development & Learning (PDL) Office has compiled a list of free trainings and resources offered during October. These include How to Succeed as a Latina in a Global Work Environment, America Ferrera: My Identity is a Superpower-Not an Obstacle, Smithsonian Learning Labs: Hispanic Heritage Month Resources, Free Virtual Exhibitions, Latino Americans: The 500-Year Legacy That Shaped the Nation and American Latino Heritage Theme Study.

Public Safety and FEMA Host Emergency Preparedness Presentation, Oct. 30  BMCC’s Public Safety Department invites BMCC students, faculty and staff to attend a 60- to 90-minute presentation on emergency preparedness on Monday, October 30 at 11 a.m. in Room N-453 at 199 Chambers Street. Staff from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will lead the presentation. Email Theresa M. Desmond at tdesmond@bmcc.cuny.edu for more information.

Giving Voice to Poverty Conference: Submission Deadline Oct. 31
CUNY community college students interested in participating and contributing ideas, artwork and organizing skills can participate in the upcoming Students Giving Voice to Poverty Conference on November 10 in Richard Harris Terrace. Learn more here. If you have questions or would like more information, contact voicingpoverty@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Visit The Clothesline Project, a Visual Display of Support for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence, Nov. 1 - Dec. 2
Stop by the 3rd-floor hallway gallery near S-343 at 199 Chambers Street from November 1 through December 2 to view The Clothesline Project, a visual display that raises awareness of gender-based violence. Each shirt is made by a survivor of violence or by someone who has lost a loved one to violence. If you or a loved one is impacted by domestic violence, you can access support through the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), Room S-340 at 199 Chambers Street, (212) 220-8166, and staff can connect you with on- and off-campus resources. The BMCC Counseling Center, Room S-343 at 199 Chambers Street, (212) 220-8140, also supports students who experience gender-based violence—which includes sexual assault, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.

Encourage Students to Explore Options on Modern Languages Day, November 3
The Modern Language Department celebrates Modern Language Day on Friday, November 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Richard Harris Terrace. Faculty and staff will be on hand to talk to prospective Modern Language majors about associate degree programs in French, Italian, Spanish and Spanish Translation & Interpretation, as well as a certificate program in Spanish/English Translation & Interpretation. For more information, contact the Department of Modern Languages at rzelaya@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Join and Bring Your Students to the BMCC STEM Innovation Challenge for Social Good
On Saturday, November 4 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Richard Harris Terrace, BMCC’s first STEM Innovation Challenge will host a competition with student teams engaging their technical competence and creativity to address real-world problems at BMCC, collaborating on solutions that support the larger social good. This event is sponsored by the BMCC Technology Learning Community Project, an NSF-funded project, as well as the BMCC Success and Innovation Lab, the Computer Information Systems Department, the BMCC Computer Programming Club and BMCC.

Office of Sponsored Programs Encourages Faculty & Staff to Submit PSC-CUNY Grant Proposals by Dec. 15 The Office of Sponsored Programs would like to encourage all faculty and instructional staff to consider submitting a PSC-CUNY Research Grant. Last year, 43 BMCC faculty won over $200,000 in PSC-CUNY grant awards to fund their research projects. The deadline is December 15. Find out more at the Office of Sponsored Programs webpage.

Faculty Urged to Nominate Students for Transfer Scholars Network by Dec. 31
The Office of Academic Affairs is recruiting students for BMCC’s second cohort of the Aspen Institute’s Transfer Scholars Network (TSN). TSN aims to provide students with a direct connection to senior admission representatives at highly selective partner institutions and personalized support to help them navigate the transfer admissions process. Learn more about TSN and the opportunity for BMCC students by visiting here. Faculty can nominate a student for the program by completing this form online. For more information, contact BMCC Director of Student Success Tiffany James at tjames@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Enrollment

NY High School Students Can Apply to BMCC for Free, Deadline Oct. 31 New York City and New York State seniors can apply to BMCC with no application fee from now to October 31. Click here to apply.

Enrollment Facts Reflect Diversity and Ambition of BMCC Students
While Fall 2023 enrollment facts are gathered, the diversity and ambition of BMCC students is reflected in the Fall 2022 Enrollment Fact Sheet. For example, at that time the average age of BMCC students was 23, and while most students hailed from a borough of New York City, the largest number of students, 21%, were from Brooklyn. Learn more here.

Human Resources

Employee Benefits Fair, Oct. 31     
The Office of Human Resources invites faculty, adjuncts and staff to the BMCC Employee Benefits Fair on Tuesday, October 31 from 12 to 3 p.m. in Richard Harris Terrace. Participants will include TIAA, TRS, PSC CUNY Welfare Fund, Emblem Health, MCU and the Social Security Administration. Learn more about benefits at BMCC here.

Open Enrollment for Flexible Spending Accounts Is Now Through Nov. 15 The New York City Office of Labor Relations is accepting Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) open enrollment forms through November 15 with an effective date of January 1, 2024. This program is a tax-saving vehicle for health and/or dependent care expenses. To enroll in the FSA Program for Plan Year 2024, complete and submit the Plan Year 2024 Enrollment/ Change Form.

Sports and Wellness

Mamadou Diallo Named CUNYAC Rookie of the Year, Head Coach Modou Seck Receives Coach of the Year Honors—and More
After winning six of their last seven matches, several individual Panthers were rewarded for postseason honors on October 20 by the CUNY Athletic Conference. Freshman Mamadou Diallo was named CUNYAC Community College Men's Soccer Rookie of the Year, and Head Coach Modou Seck picked up Conference Coach of the Year honors for the fifth time in his career. Sophomores Ademola Opesanwo and Abdul Mumin Seidu, along with freshman As Mouhamadou Ndiaye, were named CUNYAC Community College All-Star selections.

Visit the BMCC Fitness Center
The BMCC Fitness Center is open to students, faculty, staff and alumni with proper IDs. Cardiovascular and strength/resistance equipment as well as free weights are available. Check the Fitness Center schedule for more information or call BMCC Athletics at (212) 220-8260.

Calendar

Pride Month 2023: Rainbow Pride and Mental Health: Roundtable Pizza Lunch for Queer Students and Allies
October 27

Finding Sources with BMCC Databases
October 27 and October 30

Pre-Health/Pre-Med Information Session
October 30

Boosting Your Skills Outside the Classroom – Certifications, Badges, Licenses and Extracurriculars
November 2

Shirley Fiterman Art Center Presents Noel W Anderson’s “Black Exhaustion”
Now through December 2

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