News

President Munroe Joins CUNY College Presidents in Albany to Advocate for Increased CUNY Funding
On March 5, BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe, joined fellow presidents and deans from 12 Manhattan CUNY colleges in the state capitol for a legislative breakfast with state leaders to make the case for increased investment in CUNY and its students. Following the breakfast, President Munroe met with Senators Brian Kavanagh and Robert Jackson as well as Assemblymember Deborah Glick to discuss the state budget. Read CUNY’s FY25 university budget request here.

From Peru to BMCC Then Cornell University, Now Headed to Medical School After moving from Peru to NYC, then completing the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP), Sergio Gomez Navarro enrolled at BMCC as a science major where he worked closely with professors conducting lab research. He then enrolled at Cornell University, graduating with a stellar GPA in 2023 and was recently accepted to SUNY Upstate Medical University. He eventually plans to pursue a career in reconstructive plastic surgery, which is often used to treat people who have been through traumatic accidents, and he says it was BMCC that gave him the foundational academic tools he’ll need to bring that plan to fruition.

BMCC Students Explore the Social Side of the Climate Crisis at Conference in Washington, D.C.
Three BMCC faculty members and 30 students from the Criminal Justice program attended the Eastern Sociological Society’s 2024 Annual Meeting, “The Social Side of the Climate Crisis,” at American University in Washington D.C;, February 29 through March 3. The faculty presentations included “Humanizing Criminal Justice Education: A Call to Community College Faculty,” by Professors Shenique Davis and Satenik Margaryan; “Elevating Voices and Fostering Change: Black Women’s Experiences in Criminology Graduate Education,” by Professor Davis and “Exploring Feelings of Belonging and Membership of CUNY Noncitizen Students,” by Professor Shirley Leyro. In addition, Professor Leyro was awarded the Eastern Sociological Society’s 2024 Barbara R. Walters Award for her paper, “Exploring feelings of belonging and membership of CUNY noncitizen students,” published in the Journal of Criminal Justice Education.

Women’s Herstory Month Opens with Celebratory Event
BMCC community members filled Richard Harris Terrace on March 6 for the opening ceremony of Women’s Herstory month. The event, which included a DJ, celebrated the 30th anniversary of the BMCC Women’s Resource Center. This year’s keynote speaker was Robyn Greer, an entrepreneur, nutritionist, marathon runner, powerlifter competitor, award-winning author and owner of The BLOOM brand. Visit the Women’s Herstory month webpage for upcoming events throughout March.

BMCC Celebrates 60 Years of College Discovery
The BMCC community celebrated the 60th anniversary of the College Discovery program with a cake-cutting ceremony February 21 in front of the College Discovery office at 199 Chambers Street. College Discovery programs were established at all six CUNY colleges in 1964. The three pillar components of College Discovery, and SEEK, the sister program at CUNY four-year colleges, are counseling, tutoring and a financial stipend to cover educational costs. College Discovery and SEEK counselors recruit students who struggle with both educational and economic challenges and work with them from their first semester at college through to graduation. “Since we are a small program, students benefit from personalized professional counseling, individualized tutoring and coaching, and a series of programs and events designed to engage and provide opportunities for networking,” said Dr. Pedro Pérez, Director of the BMCC College Discovery program.  Learn more here.

Making Headlines

Musa Elbulok named acting assistant vice president for institutional effectiveness and strategic planning, Joy Tolliver named acting assistant vice president for legal affairs and labor relations
March 5, 2024—The Chronicle of Higher Education

Did You Know?

Announcements

Transitions and Transactions Conference Set for April 5–6
BMCC in collaboration with the Working Writers reading series, New York College English Association (NYCEA) and Pennsylvania College English Association (PCEA) will host the seventh annual Transitions and Transactions conference April 5–6 at BMCC. The Transitions and Transactions conference is designed to help community college literature teachers navigate the evolving landscape of teaching and respond to the distinct challenges of diverse student populations as well as the dynamic demands of the profession. For more information, including registration, click here. 

Encourage Students to Run for Student Government Association Office: Deadline March 15
Current BMCC students are encouraged to run for office in the upcoming Student Government Association (SGA) elections. In addition to president, vice president and treasurer, there are a number of senate seats. SGA officers manage a budget and vote on boards that impact campus life at BMCC. Officers also receive a stipend. Learn more about the BMCC SGA here.

Civic-Minded Students Encouraged to Apply for Sen. Gillibrand’s Summer Internship Program
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s New York City office is seeking highly motivated, dedicated and civic-minded students to apply for the Summer 2024 internship program. Interested students are invited to apply here. Applicants must submit a current resume, cover letter, writing sample, letter of reference and transcript (unofficial accepted). Contact Gillibrand_InternshipsNYC@gillibrand.senate.gov for more information or questions.

Let Students Know: Free, Virtual Tax Assistance Is Available Through April 8 Staff from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance will help currently enrolled BMCC students prepare and e-file their income tax returns in free, self-help Zoom sessions on March 11, 18 and 25, and April 1 and 8. Sessions are from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. The students will need an active email account, photo ID, social security number, proof of income, information related to claimed credits, their 2022 tax return and banking information for direct deposit. For details and to register, students can visit here.

Would Your Students Benefit From a Free Naturalization Clinic? Registration Deadline is April 11 for April 18 Workshop
The BMCC Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC), the City Bar Justice Center and Fragomen, a law practice, will sponsor a free naturalization clinic on April 18 at 199 Chambers Street, Richard Harris Terrace, from 2 until 5 p.m. Students who are permanent residents can attend the clinic and work with a licensed attorney in completing their U.S. Citizenship Naturalization application. The registration deadline is April 11 for the April 18 workshop. To register, students can visit ARC at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230; email ARC@bmcc.cuny.edu or call (212) 220-8195.

Enrollment

Join us at the Admissions Spring Open House - March 21
The Admissions staff is calling all future BMCC Panthers to step onto the main campus of 199 Chambers Street for a college experience at the Spring Open House on Thursday, March 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. Prospective students and their families are welcome for a night full of activities, including a tour of our vibrant campus, information about financial aid delays and resources, support programs, and the opportunity to engage with our dynamic faculty to discuss potential majors and career paths. Faculty are invited to participate in the open house. This is a great opportunity to highlight your academic program and generate interest for enrollment. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265 or admissions@bmcc.cuny.edu. Learn more.

BMCC Continuing Education Program Offers CISCO Certified Education Program
Help us empower our students' futures by sharing exciting job training opportunities available through BMCC's Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development. Encourage students to explore programs for Cisco Certified Networking, CompTIA A+, Hemodialysis Technician, and Medical Biller and Coder. Scholarships, career counseling and internships are available! For more information, visit www.bmcc.cuny.edu/nyct. 

Register Now for Spring Express Session
BMCC students can register for the Spring 2024 Express Session (eight weeks, 3/21 – 5/22). The session is ideal for part-time students or new and continuing students who missed registration for the regular 15-week session. Please note, there will be limited course offerings in the Express Session and some financial aid limitations. Students can register on CUNYfirst or meet with a Panther Station specialist on Zoom. For more information, contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu. 

Human Resources

WorkWell NYC’s Annual Step Challenge, "Let’s Move NYC," Is Back
During this four-week challenge, thousands of City employees will walk, run or roll towards their fitness goals and a healthier NYC from April 22 through May 19.  The deadline to register is April 5.

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.

Human Resources will host pre-recorded, two-hour ESPARC and WPV Zoom sessions. Visit here to view the dates through April 25. To schedule a Zoom training, contact Lori Mazzola at lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu and include the training date and time you want to attend.

Calendar

Conexiones X CREAR’s Spring 2024 Welcome Back Fiesta
March 11

Get the Inside Scoop on a Social Work Career
March 12

Makerspace Paper Pop-Up Workshop
March 13

Learn about U.S. Department of State Internships, Fellowships and Career Opportunities
March 14

31st Annual Latino College Expo & Leadership Summit
March 16

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