News

The Sky’s the Limit: BMCC Welcomes 2024 Out in Two Cohort
On October 30, BMCC welcomed a new cohort of 18 Out in Two scholars with a ceremony in the Fiterman Conference Center in BMCC’s Fiterman Hall. Out in Two is a scholarship program unique to BMCC. The program creates a supportive community designed to help each scholar graduate from BMCC within two years and transfer to a senior college. Other benefits include a book stipend, MetroCard, dedicated academic advisor and a scholarship up to $1,600. Among other criteria, eligible students are first-time freshmen at the time of enrolling at BMCC, with at least 12 credits earned in their first semester.

Media Arts and Technology Students Connect with Creative Industry Reps at Internship Event
Students, faculty and representatives from New York City’s thriving creative sector filled the 13th floor of the Fiterman Hall conference center for the first-ever Media Arts and Technology (MEA) Internship Discovery Day on October 30. Students learned about internships, apprenticeships and employment opportunities from representatives from creative fields including animation, motion graphics and video arts as well media programming and graphic design.  Panelists from Google, Omnicom and The One Club also spoke. The event offered resume assistance, professional headshots and information about career pathways and other opportunities. BMCC’s MEA department is a participant in the CUNY Inclusive Economy (CIE) Initiative, a unique partnership between the New York City Mayor’s office and CUNY. Partnerships such as CIE enable BMCC’s Media Arts and Technology to build bridges from the classroom to industries that benefit both potential employees and their future employers.

President Munroe Featured in 2024 Power Players in Education BMCC President, Dr. Anthony E. Munroe is featured in the 2024 Power Players in Education at Politics NY at Schneps Media. “Students deserve access to the best resources, cutting-edge technology, and qualified educators who can guide them on their academic journeys,” said the President.  Read more of the President’s profile here.

Classroom Naming Ceremony Honors the Late Dr. Patricia R. Wilkinson, Professor and Mathematics Chair
A naming ceremony and ribbon cutting for Classroom N-550 at BMCC’s Chambers Street campus was held October 28 in honor of the late Dr. Patricia R. Wilkinson, a former BMCC Professor and Department Chair of Mathematics. The Wilkinson family has also established the Women in Mathematics Endowed Scholarship and funded a $3,000 gift that was presented to a BMCC graduate at the 2023 Honors Convocation. Dr. Wilkinson joined the Mathematics Department in 1966, serving as faculty member and then Mathematics Department Chair until her retirement in 2007. 

BMCC Science Technology Entry Program, One of City’s Largest, Grows in Popularity During the 2023-24 academic year, more than 350 students from across New York City public high schools participated in the BMCC Science Technology Entry program. It is now one of the largest STEP programs in the city. STEP’s popularity highlights a growing demand for college preparation and STEM access among underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students in grades 7-12. Funded by the New York State Education Department, the program engages students in hands-on STEM activities, college prep, Kaplan courses, research with BMCC faculty, career workshops, and field trips. Participants, who attend sessions on BMCC’s campus four days a week also receive stipends to support their involvement. The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Today recently published a profile highlighting BMCC STEP’s Director, Dr. Odaelys Pollard’s leadership during this time of the program’s growth.

Italian Heritage Month Features Broadway Entertainment and Study Abroad Opportunities
On October 29, students, faculty and staff spent part of the morning rocking out with Broadway star Dominic Scaglione and then hearing insight from former “Daily News” and “New York Post” columnist Linda Stasi during the main event for Italian Heritage Day. Mario Giacalone as well as BMCC Theatre majors and Music majors also performed. “It’s wonderful to see this type of engagement from our students—so many of them identify with the passion and creativity of Italy and Italians,” said Modern Languages Professor John Means. To motivate students to study in Italy, Modern Languages Professor Kristina Varade shared information about the many Study-Abroad-in-Italy programs that BMCC offers and will expand upon, through the College’s partnership with the CIEE. Italian Heritage Month reflects the vibrancy of the BMCC Modern Languages Department, which provides associate degree programs not only in Italian but also in French, Spanish and Spanish Translation and Interpretation. “We are proud to be a resource for all New Yorkers who want to learn about the world’s languages and cultures,” said Professor Means.

BMCC’s Project Impact Highlighted by Professor Michelle Ronda in Teachers College Forums
BMCC Criminal Justice Professor Michelle Ronda was interviewed on the prestigious Teachers College (TC) Forum platform on October 30. In the episode, Dr. Ronda discusses her TC Record article, “Project Impact: A Public Community College Campus-Based Support and Reentry Program for Justice Impacted Students in New York City.” Watch the video interview here. Read the full article here. Learn more about BMCC’s new partnership with John Jay College of Criminal Justice to provide access to college for incarcerated students here.

Trick or treaters from BMCC's Early Childhood Center visited various offices at the 199 Chambers Street campus on Halloweeen Day, October 31.  

Making Headlines

Criminal Justice alumna Michele Andre, now Director of Community Police Oversight for City of Dallas, profiled
October 29, 2024—Dallas Morning News

Did You Know?

Announcements

Enrollment

NY High School Students Can Apply to BMCC for Free
BMCC/CUNY is waiving application fees for New York state and city students. New York City students can apply free from October 21 to November 15.  New York State students can apply free from November 4 to November 15. BMCC community members are encouraged to share this news with their social and professional networks. Learn more here.

Human Resources

Open Enrollment: Flexible Spending and Health Benefits Buyout Waiver, Deadline November 8 The NYC Office of Labor Relations is accepting open enrollment forms for the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Program and Health Benefits Buyout waiver through November 8, with an effective date of January 1, 2025. Links to the Plan Year 2025 Program Brochure and forms for the FSA Program-Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Assistance Program are available on the FSA website. Current FSA 2024 participants (HCFSA & DeCAP) will automatically receive a letter regarding Plan Year 2025 enrollment. Once the FSA administrative office receives the FSA enrollment/re-enrollment letter and processes the employee’s HCFSA/DeCAP enrollment form, participants will receive a confirmation letter. Learn more with FSA videos. If you submit forms and do not experience FSA payroll deductions in January 2025, notify FSA office immediately.

Deadline to Apply for Phased Retirement Is November 15
The CUNY Phased Retirement Program (PRP) enables eligible faculty and staff to continue to work for the University part-time while they transition into retirement. Phased retirement is an opportunity for full-time Teaching and Non-teaching Instructional Staff who are:

• at least 65 years of age
• have tenure or a 13.3b appointment 
• participate in the Optional Retirement Program (TIAA), and
• have at least 15 years of full-time, continuous service. 

To participate in Phased Retirement for the Fall 2025 semester, please submit the Phased Retirement Application for Professional Staff  by November 15. For more information, visit Phased Retirement Program or contact BMCC Benefits Manager in the Office of Human Resources, Daniella Donald at ddonald@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Health Benefits Buyout Waivers Accepted Through November 8
The Office of Human Resources is accepting Health Benefits Buyout Waiver forms through November 8 with effective date January 1, 2025. Plan Year 2025 enrollment is automatic for active health insurance buy-out waiver participants. To withdraw from the MSC Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program for 2025, submit the 2025 MSC Enrollment/Change Form and Health Benefits Application (July 2024 At A Glance Rate Chart) to OHRBenefits@bmcc.cuny.edu. The annual incentive payment amount for the Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Plan for Year 2025 is $500 for waiving individual coverage and $1,000 for waiving family coverage (payments issued June and December). To enroll in the Health Benefits Buyout Waiver for program year 2025, submit the 2025 MSC Enrollment/Change Form with a copy of your insurance card for all listed, to OHRBenefits@bmcc.cuny.edu. 

Mandatory Trainings for 2024-2025 Now Available
New York state law and CUNY policy requires that all employees complete the Employee Sex-Based Misconduct Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC), Workplace Violence Prevention (WVP) and Gender-Based Violence Training (GBVT) on an annual basis.

• GBVT is required for all HR professionals and managers with at least one direct report. 
• Full-time employees are required to complete ESPARC, WVP and GBVT (if applicable) no later than May 30, 2025.
• Part-time employees and adjuncts: Fall appointees: Complete by December 31, 2024. Spring appointees: Complete by May 30, 2025. 
• Active employees are automatically registered for the trainings in Blackboard. Sign into CUNY Blackboard by using your CUNYfirst credentials and navigate to Organizations to complete the trainings.  

For more information, review the Compliance Training FAQs or reach out to your campus compliance administrator.

Sports and Wellness

El Momar Coundoul Captures NJCAA Div. III Men's Goalkeeper Of The Week Honors

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

Hispanic Heritage Month Filled with Events in November
Begins November 1

Free HIV/STI Testing for BMCC Students
November 5

BMCC Blood Drive: Help Save Lives
November 6

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