 BMCC Signs Statement of Shared Interest with Antigua College of Medicine
Representatives from both the American University of Antigua College of Medicine (AUACOM) and BMCC met in President Anthony E. Munroe’s conference room on May 9 to sign a Statement of Shared Interest to solidify their mutual intention to promote collaborative academic opportunities between both institutions. Each institution will explore ways in which they might promote and develop academic cooperation through future agreements. This collaboration includes but is not limited to an establishment of a guaranteed admissions program for BMCC graduates to study medicine at AUACOM. “We have hundreds of students who are majoring in health-related programs with the hopes and aspirations of going into medicine,” said BMCC President, Dr. Anthony E. Munroe at the signing event. “It is our duty and our responsibility to create opportunities for our students so that they have the ability to thrive in their career paths.” AUACOM President, Dr. Peter Bell said “At AUACOM, we believe that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. This collaboration with BMCC allows us to break down barriers and create more inclusive pathways to medical education for underrepresented students.”
Seven BMCC Students Selected for Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
Seven BMCC students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad in Summer 2025. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Scholarship supports outstanding undergraduate students with financial need to study or intern abroad. BMCC’s newest cohort received a combined $21,500 in award funding to study in Italy, South Africa, and Spain. Scholarship recipients include Computer Science major Daniel Furmanov (Spain); Liberal Arts majors Eseosa (Soso) Agwinede (Italy) and Jasmine Mitchell (South Africa); Nursing major Iysee Sowerby (South Africa); Urban Studies major Damani Antoine Laidlow (South Africa); Psychology major Thomas Devon Kasenchak (Italy); and Art History major Isabella Marie Bellissimo (Italy). “The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship empowers students to pursue their study abroad goals and plan for their future careers,” said Sandra Cortez, BMCC Experiential Learning & Study Abroad Manager.
BMCC Music Major Temitope “Tope” Idowu Wins Competitive DownBeat Magazine Student Award
Temitope “Tope” Idowu, a BMCC music program major and member of the Jazz Ensemble, has been named winner of the community college soloist category in DownBeat Magazine’s 2025 Student Music Awards. Idowu, who completed his BMCC degree in Fall 2024, earned the honor in what is considered the most competitive category of the awards. Music major Elias Solomon and the BMCC Jazz Ensemble were also recognized with Outstanding Performance awards in their respective categories. The Jazz Ensemble—led by Professor Can Olgun—performs regularly at various venues and has been featured on programs such as this year’s WBGO Jazz Appreciation Month. Idowu, who had dropped out of college 10 years ago, enrolled in BMCC in 2023. He will receive his diploma at Barclay’s Center on June 4.
President Munroe Meets with Congressional Leaders
BMCC President Dr. Anthony Munroe met with Congressional leaders including Rep. Daniel Goldman and Rep. Adriano Espaillat in Washington D.C. On May 7. The meetings took place during the CUNY on the Hill event, where College leaders discussed challenges facing higher education and efforts to expand access to New York City students.
Faculty Members Awarded PSC CUNY Grants
Thirty-two BMCC faculty members have been awarded a combined total of $144,914 in PSC-CUNY Cycle 56 TRADA and TRADB grants, supporting original faculty research across a wide range of disciplines. The PSC of the City University of New York (CUNY) administers these competitive awards annually to encourage scholarly inquiry and creative work among CUNY faculty. Awards in the Enhanced category are expected to be announced on or around May 15, 2025. Congratulations to the following BMCC faculty members on their grant awards: David Allen, Shoba Bandi-Rao, Henry Bulley, Mateo Sancho Cardiel, Rachel Corkle, Francisco Delgado, Jon DeLucia, Bertie Ferdman, Miguel Fiolhais, Luis Gonzalez-Urbina, Raquel Goodison, Jungah Kim, Mariya Komolova, Barys Korzun, Adele Kudish, Aradhama Kumari, Geoffrey Kurtz, Chang-Han (Michael) Liu, Ling Luo, Sophie Marinez, Shari Rothfarb Mckonen, Abel Navarro, Can Olgun, Thaddeus Radell, John Reder, Robert Reed, Rochelle Rives, Jason Schneiderman, Valerie Theirs-Thiam, Kristina Varade, Linta Varghese, and Chiaki Yanagisawa. "We had a strong showing in this year’s PSC CUNY Research Award cycle, with 86% of those submitting grants winning funds for their research," said Judie Eisenberg, Dean for Sponsored Research and Grants.
Office of Institutional Advancement Hosts Scholars Reception
BMCC’s Office of Institutional Advancement hosted its annual Scholarship Reception on May 6 in the Fiterman Hall Conference Center. The event offered an opportunity for donors to meet and hear from students who have benefited from their generosity. Several cabinet members, staff, and students attended. In a message to donors delivered by Executive Chief of Staff Dr. S. Raschaad Hoggard, on behalf of BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe, said, “Your support helps us sustain and expand the college’s motto: Start here, go anywhere. Through your remarkable kindness and unwavering support, you have not only made a difference in the lives of our students, but you have also invested in the future of our society. Your contributions have provided opportunities for our students to thrive, to seek knowledge, and to reach their fullest potential. You are true champions and stalwarts of education, and we are forever grateful for your unyielding commitment to our college and its students.”
BMCC Celebrates Administrative Professionals at President’s Luncheon
BMCC President, Dr. Anthony E. Munroe, hosted a luncheon recognizing the College’s administrative professional staff on May 8 in Richard Harris Terrace. The President said it was a pleasure to celebrate the contributions of BMCC’s administrative professionals. “Behind every thriving department, every successful program, and every meeting and event that runs smoothly without a hiccup, there's a team of dedicated administrative professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes,” said Dr. Munroe. “You are the glue that holds this College together. You are the first point of contact for our students, our faculty, and our community partners. You manage schedules, organize events, handle correspondence, troubleshoot problems, and so much more. You navigate complex systems, anticipate needs, and often, you perform minor miracles just to keep everything afloat and flowing seamlessly.”
NYC Mayor Eric Adams Holds Press Conference in Richard Harris Terrace
New York City Mayor Eric Adams held a press conference in BMCC’s Richard Harris Terrace on May 5, where he detailed a recent partnership to help some city agency public service workers reduce their student loan debt. Read more about the announcement at the mayor’s website.
Students Explore Washington D.C. and Museums on Humanities Alliance–Sponsored Trip
A group of BMCC students, led by Ethnic and Race Studies Professors Judith Anderson and Lissette Acosta Corniel, traveled to Washington D.C. the weekend of April 26–27, where they explored the city and visited both the National Museum of the American Indian and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. “I walked away with a deeper understanding of history and culture, and the discussions we shared made it even more meaningful,” said Science for Health major Nthabiseng Masinga. “Even the metro rides and busy schedule became opportunities to bond with the group.” The trip was sponsored by the Humanities Alliance at the CUNY Graduate Center. Dr. Anderson has served as BMCC's faculty liaison for the Humanities Alliance since Fall 2021, and the fellows in the program proposed an out-of-town student trip several years ago. This grant is now in its final semester. The trip also continued the initiatives of the Black Studies Across the Americas (BSAA) research program, created by Anderson and Acosta Corniel and funded by the President's Fund for Excellence and Innovation, as well as the Black, Race, and Ethnic Studies Initiative.
BMCC Hosts CITE Meet and Greet
BMCC hosted the Computer Integrated Teacher Education meet and greet on May 2 at 199 Chambers St. The Computing Integrated Teacher Education (CITE) is an initiative at the City University of New York (CUNY) funded by NYC Public Schools and philanthropic partners to prepare teachers to equip their future learners with the computing and digital literacies that will help them thrive in our digital age. The meet and greet was attended by CUNY partners, funders and representatives for the New York City Council.
Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, Delivers Keynote Presentation at Asian Heritage Month Event
On May 8, the BMCC Office of Diplomatic Engagement and Training hosted the concluding event of Asian Heritage Month programming at BMCC, themed "Home" for 2025. The keynote speaker and guest of honor was Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York. Ambassador Pradhan spoke on a wide range of topics, including India’s history and culture, its foreign policy, and the role of the Consulate in supporting Indian diaspora communities. He emphasized the growing impact of digitalization on consular service delivery, the strength of India–U.S. relations, and the significant contributions of Indian professionals and students in the United States. Dr. Sanjay Ramdath, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Senior International Officer, delivered the welcome remarks. Dr. Daniel Katz, Director of the BMCC Office of Diplomatic Engagement and Training, moderated the discussion. In attendance were BMCC students, faculty, and staff, along with members of the New York diplomatic corps and community partners.
BMCC Pre-Med Club and Alliance for Positive Change Host NARCAN Saves Lives Event
On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, members of the BMCC Pre-Med club in partnership with Alliance for Positive Change, hosted their NARCAN Saves Lives event! At this event, students learned about the opioid epidemic, recognized the signs of an overdose and became certified in administering NARCAN. For more information about the pre-med club or to join the club, please email premedclub.bmcc@gmail.com. |
Student Affairs Seeks Staff Production Assistants for 2025 Commencement Ceremony on June 4
The Office of Student Affairs is seeking staff members who can serve as Production Assistants at the College’s 60th Commencement Ceremony, June 4, at Barclays Center, in Brooklyn. Staff members who would like to participate should inform their supervisors so they may anticipate departmental staffing needs. To sign up as a Production Assistant, visit this registration page. The ceremony will also be Livestreamed. For more information about BMCC’s 2025 Commencement, visit the event webpage.
AHA Wall Street Run May 15
The American Heart Association Wall Street Run that will take place Thursday, May 15th. There will be street closures throughout lower Manhattan during the event. See the Wall Street Run’s route and street closures by visiting the event’s website.
BMCC Continuing Education 2025 Open House, May 28 and 29
BMCC’s Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development will host a series of information sessions showcasing the wide range of courses the Center offers. Individuals interested in starting a career in Information Technology, Diplomatic Affairs, Cyber Security, or the Cannabis industry are invited to attend on May 28 and 29 at 25 Broadway in Manhattan. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and advisors who can answer questions and provide insight. Professionals looking to upskill, earn certifications, or explore new career pathways are also welcome. The event will include campus tours and information about tuition and financing. Click here to choose and enroll in an information session. For more information, email ace@bmcc.cuny.edu or call (212) 346-8410.
Handshake: Student Career Connection Available
Handshake is BMCC's premier career services platform, connecting students and alumni with a wealth of opportunities. Whether an individual is searching for internships, part-time jobs, full-time positions or simply exploring career paths, Handshake is a good resource. Job or intern seekers can claim their profile to showcase skills and experience and gain access to thousands of job postings and other resources. Handshake also allows individuals to register for career events, schedule appointments with career advisors and receive personalized job recommendations. Handshake is a one-stop shop for launching a career! BMCC community members with questions about Handshake can contact Director of Career Development Robert Earl at rearl@bmcc.cuny.edu.
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LinkedIn Learning Platform Now Available
LinkedIn Learning is an online learning platform designed to assist users with improving business, software, technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. The LinkedIn Learning video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by industry experts allows users to learn at their own pace. Available courses include Developing Presentation Skills, Learning Time Management Skills, How to Be An Effective Leader, QuickBooks Tutorials for Accountants, Adobe Creative Cloud Tutorials Web/Fashion Designers, AutoCad Tutorial for Engineers, Scripting Languages for the Application Developers and more. For more information, contact Leticia Dinkins, Instructional Computer Services Manager, at the Learning Resource Center, at ldinkins@bmcc.cuny.edu. |
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