News

BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe Delivers State of the College, Shares Report

BMCC President Dr. Anthony E. Munroe delivered the State of the College address and presentation to the College community on April 30 in Theatre 2 at 199 Chambers St. In addition to the presentation, the event featured a performance by the BMCC Signature Ensemble. Citing high enrollment, increased retention rates and a host of other accomplishments, President Munroe said BMCC enters 2026 as a powerhouse within the CUNY system. “To our faculty, staff, students, supporters, and donors: our momentum belongs to you,” Dr. Munroe said in his address. “We move forward as a community united—ensuring every student who enters our doors leaves with a diploma and a path to a family-sustaining life. The state of our college is strong, our vision is clear, and our future is limitless.” BMCC community members can view the full State of the College report and video.

Nine BMCC Students Awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships Nine Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) students have been awarded the prestigious U.S. Department of State Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for the March 2026 application cycle. BMCC, along with Hunter College, co-led all CUNY colleges in Gilman awards this cycle. The Gilman Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports students of limited financial means who wish to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to the country’s national security and economic prosperity.  In March 2026, BMCC was also recognized by the U.S. Department of State as a “Top Producer” of Gilman Scholars for 2001–2025. “The funds, alumni network, and prestige provided by the Gilman Scholarship give our students a chance to take everything they’ve been working toward at BMCC and see how far it can go,” said Eva Izquierdo of Global Exchanges and Experiences.

Outstanding Student Writing Recognized James Tolan Writing Awards Ceremony

The Writing and Literature program at BMCC recognized outstanding student writing at the 21st annual James Tolan Student Writing Awards ceremony on April 30 at Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. English Department Chair Jan Stahl delivered welcoming remarks, and Writing and Literature Professor Holly Messitt shared a remembrance of James Tolan, the professor and poet in the BMCC English Department from 2003 until 2017, for whom the awards are named. Each year, English Department faculty contribute funds to support the prizes awarded to students at the ceremony. The event helps honor student achievement while also commemorating the memory of Professor Tolan. Faculty say the event is always special, filled with excitement, pride and a strong sense of community.  Katrina Paddock, who received the Poetry Award, said it was a thrill and an honor to be recognized by the James Tolan Student Writing Awards. “All of the professors’ enthusiasm for our work was evident, and the influence of that support will resonate in our writing careers long after our time at BMCC.”

BMCC Celebrates Filmmaker Talent at Spring Film Festival

BMCC’s Cinema Arts Club presented the Spring 2026 BMCC Film Festival on May 3 in Theatre 2 at 199 Chambers Street. The biannual event showcases BMCC’s emerging filmmakers, who write, plan, film, edit and screen original films before a live audience. Of the 62 project submissions, 42 films were selected to be screened and judged by a panel of film professionals. The films were divided into six categories—Fiction, Documentary, Animation, Client-Based, and Montage or Experimental. Festival judges included Ali Akarcesme, assistant professor in the Cinema, Television & Media Production Department at Kutztown University; Nicole Gomez Fisher, writer, director and producer; and Joe Zaso, actor, producer, and author. The festival, now in its 12th year, offers students an opportunity to celebrate their hard work with friends and family. It also gives students a chance to showcase their work and see how the public reacts.

Making Headlines

Columbia makes degree program with BMCC official

May 4, 2026—Columbia Spectator

BMCC alumna Rachel Naughton talks about connecting student athletes to HBCUs

May 6, 2026—High School: Sports Ilustrated

Did You Know?

The BMCC String Ensemble will host a concert in Richard Harris Terrace on May 11

Announcements

Inaugural Presidential Distinguished Speaker Series on May 12: President Anthony E. Munroe in Conversation with Nikole Hannah-Jones

As part of the Inaugural Presidential Distinguished Speaker Series, BMCC welcomes Nikole Hannah-Jones—Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of The 1619 Project—for a special campus conversation on race, history, democracy, and justice. This program offers a rare opportunity for learning, reflection, and dialogue for students, faculty, staff, and community members. Reception to follow in Richard Harris Terrace. To RSVP for the reception, please email gabrown@bmcc.cuny.edu. For more information, contact Ashtian Holmes at aholmes@bmcc.cuny.edu.

BMCC 61st Commencement Set for June 4 at Barclays Center

BMCC’s Office of Student Affairs has extended an invitation to the college community for the 2026 Commencement ceremony on June 4 at Barclays Center. Faculty and staff participating in the ceremony may begin arriving at 7:30 a.m., but no later than 8:30 a.m., with additional information regarding caps and gowns to follow. Students are also advised to arrive at 7:30 a.m., but no later than 8:30 a.m. The ceremony is expected to conclude by 12:30 p.m. Click here for more details.

Human Resources

Cybersecurity Awareness Training Available Now

The 2025–26 CUNY Cybersecurity Awareness Training is now available. Every active employee is required to complete this training each year to help protect university data and enhance our cybersecurity.

This is the first year that all compliance trainings are being offered through Brightspace. While the deadline for completion has been extended to May 29, 2026, to match the schedule of other compliance trainings, we encourage all employees to log in and complete the required courses as soon as possible. 

Required Training:

• Cybersecurity Awareness Training

Deadline: 

• All full-time and part-time faculty and staff must complete the 40-minute course no later than May 29, 2026.
• Faculty and staff who become inactive in CUNYfirst will lose access to the training. 

How to Access Training: 

You have been automatically enrolled in your required compliance courses. 

To get started: 

1. Log in to Brightspace. 
2. Go to the "Compliance" section under My Courses. 
3. Select and complete Cybersecurity Awareness Training.

Note: New employees gain access the day after their CUNYfirst record becomes active. 

To confirm completion of any CUNY Compliance course: 

1. Log into CUNYfirst. 
2. Select Employee Self-Service and click the Other Employee Tasks tile.
3. Select the Compliance link to display all the compliance training activities.

Resources & Support: 

• Need help? Contact CIS Training at CISTraining@cuny.edu.

Thank you for your continued commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and responsible digital environment for all members of the CUNY community.

Annual Compliance Training Available Online

We are pleased to announce the launch of CUNY’s 2025–2026 annual compliance training program. All employees are required to complete their assigned trainings in Brightspace, the University’s new learning management system. This is the first year compliance trainings are being offered through Brightspace. We encourage all employees to log in and complete the required courses as soon as possible.

Required Trainings:

• ESPARC: Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Course
• WVP: Workplace Violence Prevention Training
• GBVT: Gender-Based Violence Training (Required for HR professionals and employees who supervise at least one direct report)

Deadlines:

• Full-time employees must complete all assigned trainings by May 29, 2026.
• Part-time employees, including adjuncts, must complete their trainings by May 29, 2026, or by the end of their employment for the semester, whichever comes first.
• Employees who become inactive in CUNYfirst will lose access to the trainings.

How to Access Your Trainings:
You have been automatically enrolled in your required compliance courses.
To get started:

1. Log in to Brightspace
2. Go to the "Compliance" section under My Courses

New employees will gain access the day after their CUNYfirst record becomes active.

Resources and Supports:

• Employee Navigation Guide
• Compliance Training FAQs
• Need help? Contact your campus compliance administrator.

Thank you for your continued commitment to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace for all members of the CUNY community.

Calendar

NY State Reconnect: Learn About this Free Community College Program

May 12

The New Asian NYC: Mobilization, Grassroots Power and Pluralistic Futures

May 15

Joe Doctor Colloquium: Mindfulness, Balance and the Practice of Teaching

May 15

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Faculty and staff: Submit items for consideration in an upcoming @BMCC to publicaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu by 12 noon, Wednesday.