News

Afrikan Heritage Month Opening Ceremony February 7: Keynote Speaker Craig Wesley, Senior Manager, DEI at Simons Foundation
Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the opening ceremony for BMCC’s Afrikan Heritage Month—Transformation, Empowerment and Expressions—beginning at 1 p.m. on February 7 in the Cafeteria at 199 Chambers Street. This year’s keynote speaker is Craig Wesley, Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Simons Foundation. The event will be a celebration of Afrikan history and culture featuring food, dance and music. Find out more about BMCC’s 2024 Afrikan Heritage month events here.

Over 50 and in a Nontraditional Field, Vanguard Winner David Ige Crushes Stigma on Two Fronts
Child Care/Early Childhood Education (ECE) major David Ige is one of seven 2024 Vanguard Award winners, community college students across New York state recognized for excelling in a nontraditional career—one in which less than 25% of those employed in that field are male or female in gender. What makes Ige stand out among the winners is that he is not only pursuing a career in which men are underrepresented— he, himself is a nontraditional student, having started college at age 50.

BMCC Alumna Phylisha Villanueva Named as Westchester County’s New Poet Laureate BMCC alumna Phylisha Villanueva (Communications and Media Studies, 2015) has been named Westchester County’s new poet laureate according to a report from Arts Westchester. In her new role, the Belizean-American poet, author and cultural activist intends to conduct ekphrastic writing workshops, a style of writing that responds to visual art, creating a unique dialogue between the two art forms. She will also organize poetry slams and other open mic events in Westchester County. After BMCC, Villanueva completed a Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing degree at Empire State University, SUNY in 2023. She is currently earning a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at St. Francis College.

Making Headlines

BMCC alumnus Justin Cortes, now chief of staff in the office of the Bronx Borough President, profiled in Tri State Latinos 40 under 40
January 26, 2024—Negocios Now

Did You Know?

Announcements

"Drawing Alphabets": 2024 BMCC Art Faculty Show Opens February 15 The Shirley Fiterman Art Center will present "Drawing Alphabets," the 2024 Art Faculty Show, from February 15 to March 23. The show, featuring work by faculty artists provides viewers an opportunity to see the breadth of works produced in a range of mediums by BMCC’s professors. This exhibition highlights the college’s continued commitment to the growing Art Foundations Program. Each artist will be spotlighted through a series of artwork images accompanied by an artist profile. Pictured at left: Jessica Ramirez, Textile Narratives #3, 64" x 43", wool, acrylic, yarn

Deadline for Students to Accept NSLS Invitation Is February 23 BMCC's National Society of Leadership & Success Chapter (NSLS) has sent out Spring 2024 membership invitations to all eligible students. A one-time registration payment of $95 provides a lifetime membership to the society and benefits such as scholarships, professional communication training and more. The deadline for students to accept their Spring 2024 invitation is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 23. Once students accept their nomination, they complete the five-step leadership program to become inducted members and enjoy a fully virtual NSLS experience. For more information, contact NSLS@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Learn More About the BMCC-Morehouse Transfer Partnership at February 27 Dinner Event
Students are invited to a dinner and discussion about the BMCC-Morehouse transfer partnership starting at 5 p.m. on February 27. Morehouse College, one of the nation’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), is an all-male liberal arts college in Atlanta, revered for excellence and producing leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The BMCC-Morehouse partnership includes guaranteed admission, transferable credits, academic advisement and support as well as financial resources. Learn more and RSVP for the Dinner and Discussion.

Student Research Opportunities Available The BMCC Foundation Fund (BFF) Research Program and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Research Program are accepting applications from BMCC students to participate in a paid, faculty-mentored research opportunity. The research foundation is also sharing information about a spring internship with Hudson River Park that’s been specifically designated for a BMCC student in the Bridges to Baccalaureate BMCC-CCNY scholarship program. For information about more student research opportunities, contact Director of Research Odaelys Pollard at opollard@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Love to Sing? Downtown Chorus Looking for New Voices
BMCC Downtown Chorus is looking for new voices to join a friendly—and varied—core group of singers. Singers of all experience levels and vocal ranges are welcome. The ability to read music is a plus but not a requirement as is prior chorale experience. Members include students, faculty and BMCC staff as well as residents of neighboring communities. The chorus' founder and artistic director is Dr. Eugenia Oi Yan Yau, chairperson of Music and Art Department. Contact Professor Yau at  (212) 776-7240 or e-mail: eyau@bmcc.cuny.edu for an audition.

LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Encouraged to Inquire About Pride Mentoring Network 
Faculty and staff who identify as LGBTQIA+ and are interested in serving as mentors to LGBTQIA+ BMCC students are encouraged to inquire about the BMCC Pride Mentoring Network. Mentors will help students throughout their college careers by providing assistance that includes helping to navigate college resources, connecting to support networks within the college and community, helping students stay on top of key deadlines and more. For more information, please contact Professor Yuliya Shneyderman at yshneyderman@bmcc.cuny.edu or Professor Brian Kelley at bkelley@bmcc.cuny.edu. Join the BMCC Pride Alliance to receive LGBTQIA+ community focused updates.  

Save the Date: Social Justice Week Begins March 19 
Faculty are encouraged to add Social Justice Week to their syllabi and course schedules. Hosted by the Race, Equity and Inclusion (REI) Steering Committee, this year’s events will take place March 19 through March 21. This year’s theme—"Challenging Conversations: Building Pathways to Hope and Unity"—will include keynote speakers, panel discussions, student performances and film screenings that foster dialogue and connection. For more information, contact rei@bmcc.cuny.edu.   

Transitions and Transactions Conference April 5-6: Proposals Due Feb. 15
BMCC’s English department invites faculty to submit paper and panel proposals for the 2024 Transitions and Transactions conference scheduled for April 5 and 6. The new deadline for submissions is February 15. For more information, visit the event’s web page.

Enrollment

Spring 2024: There's Still Time to Get Advised and Register
It is not too late to register for the Spring 2024 semester. There are several opportunities for students to receive guidance and support with registration. From now to February 2, help is available via Zoom and in person. Students should visit the Panther Station webpage or contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu for more details.

Human Resources

Gender-Based Violence Training Joins ESPARC and WVP Mandated Trainings

• The state- and CUNY-mandated Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC) and Workplace Violence Prevention Training (WVP) are available for the 2023-2024 academic year. All part-time employees, including adjuncts, as well as full-time employees must complete both trainings by May 31.
• The state- and CUNY-mandated Gender Based Violence Training (GBVT) is required for HR professionals and managers with at least one direct report. Full and part-time employees notified by email about GBVT must complete it by May 31.
• Through April, Human Resources will host four pre-recorded, two-hour ESPARC and WPV Zoom sessions. To schedule a Zoom training, contact Lori Mazzola at lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu.  

Spring 2024 Adjuncts: Apply for Health Insurance by February 23
Teaching and non-teaching adjuncts can apply for health insurance. Visit the PSC-CUNY Welfare Fund for details.

Teaching Adjuncts:

• Must have completed two consecutive semesters prior to this one,
• Must have at least six teaching hours per week in the current semester and maintain that all semester. (Notify the benefits officer on campus if you drop below the six hours and pick up additional hours at another CUNY campus.)

Non-Teaching Adjuncts:

• Must have completed two consecutive semesters prior to this one,
• Must have at least 15 non-teaching hours per week in the current semester and maintain that all semester.

Submit the application as a secure document (only include the first four social security numbers) to HR Benefits Manager Daniella Donald at ddonald@bmcc.cuny.edu. Ms. Donald will confirm eligibility and forward the application to staff in the University Benefits Adjunct Office, UniversityBenefitsAdjuncts@CUNY.edu, who will correspond with you directly.

Sports and Wellness

Emily Kennedy Receives Second Consecutive CUNYAC Community College Women's Basketball Player of The Week Honor

Ysaia Marte Captures Fourth CUNYAC Weekly Honorable Mention Honor

Follow the Panthers The BMCC athletic program leads eight varsity teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level. For more news on the Panthers, visit the official site of BMCC Athletics, and follow the Panthers on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Calendar

Spilling the tea on mental health (mental health literacy session)
February 5

Healing Rhythms: Healing Drumming Session
February 7

Trauma Informed Yoga Workshop (online)
February 8

Afrikan Heritage Month: Music and Art Dept. Concert
February 9

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