News

BMCC Celebrates the Class of 2026 as Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani Delivers First College Commencement Address

BMCC held its 61st Commencement Exercises on June 4 at Barclays Center, where a packed arena of graduates, families, faculty, staff, and supporters gathered to celebrate the Class of 2026, highlighted by a powerful keynote address from New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. In what was his first commencement speech since becoming Mayor, Mamdani was met with thunderous applause and chants of “Mamdani! Mamdani!” as he was being introduced by CUNY Chancellor Dr. Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. Delivering a deeply personal and energizing address, the mayor praised the perseverance of BMCC students, telling them, “You are the beating heart of the greatest city in the world," said Mayor Mamdani. “Thank you for being the New Yorker that someone else can look at and think: maybe I can make it here too.” Reflecting on the realities of balancing work, family, and long commutes, the Mayor emphasized that the BMCC graduates already embody the resilience that defines the city. With 3,497 students eligible to graduate, the Class of 2026 represents the fabric of New York City. BMCC graduates hail from 110 countries, speak 28 languages, and at least 58% are first-generation college students. BMCC President Dr. Anthony E. Munroe lauded the graduates, stating, “This is a class of first-generation scholars representing nations from across the world. A class defined by resilience, achievement, and promise. Today’s milestone reflects not only the determination of our graduates but the strength of the entire CUNY community that stands behind them.” Watch a livestream of the entire event.

‘Start Here, Go Anywhere’: BMCC Holds Its First Commencement Ceremony Inside Correctional Facility

Growing up, Tyler said he was rarely the best student. He found school boring and could not wait for the final bell to ring. “Homework, nope, that was the furthest thing from my mind,” said Tyler. “I took for granted any opportunity to excel in school, and to this day, I regret that.” Tyler underestimated the importance of education. That all changed when he became incarcerated. “After graduating high school by doing just enough to get by, I enrolled at community college for a semester,” he said, adding that he did so to get his parents “off my back.” “So, I dropped out and chased the wrong things, the money, the cars, the clothes, but all those things just covered my insecurities.” But after enrolling in the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and John Jay College of Criminal Justice Prison-to-College Pathways Pipeline (P2CP) program at Otisville Correctional Facility, he became enamored with learning through the hard work he put into his classes. On May 8, Tyler and seven other graduates — including five who are now out of the facility — were recognized during BMCC’s first, and what is believed to be CUNY’s first-ever commencement ceremony held inside a prison. The morning event, which included college leadership and professors in full academic regalia as well as officials from BMCC, John Jay, CUNY and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, took place on the stage of a large auditorium and recreational space. Read the full story and watch video from this historic moment here.

BMCC Recognizes Honors Scholars at Certificate Award Ceremony

BMCC celebrated the achievements of Honors Scholars for the 2025-26 academic year during the Honors Scholars Certificate Award Ceremony on May 28 at the Fiterman Hall Conference Center. Among students who graduated in Summer and Fall 2025 and Winter and Spring 2026, 43 earned the distinction of Honors Scholar. Throughout their academic careers at BMCC, these students completed at least four Honors courses, which may have included one or two Honors Contracts, while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.5. “This year’s Honors Scholars Certificate Award Ceremony stands as a testament to the exceptional quality of students who attend BMCC, as well as to their academic rigor, perseverance, commitment to success, and dedication to achieving their goals,” said Professor Eda Henao, Chair of the Modern Languages Department and coordinator of BMCC Honors Scholars Program. Much of the strength of the BMCC Honors Scholars Program lies in its cohort-based model and extensive network of support across the college. Collaboration among offices including Academic Affairs, Advisement, Financial Aid, Registrar, ASAP, the Honors Office and others helps create an environment where scholars can thrive academically and personally. Honors faculty and departmental partners provide personalized mentorship and challenging educational opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. The program also offers access to transfer pathways and scholarships through partnerships with institutions such as Columbia.

UMLA Marks Another Year of Achievement, Leadership and Community Impact

The Urban Male Leadership Academy (UMLA), under the leadership of Dr. Ashtian Holmes, Director, and Yuleisy Audain, Associate Director, alongside the dedication and support of the UMLA team, proudly hosted its 18th Annual Academic Awards & Recognition Dinner on May 29 in Richard Harris Terrace. The event brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters to celebrate another year of achievement, leadership, and community impact. The event recognized outstanding students across UMLA, Each One Reach One (EORO), and the Student Government Association (SGA) for their academic excellence, personal growth, service, and commitment to creating meaningful change both on campus and beyond. Guests enjoyed an evening of reflection, live music, special recognitions, and shared celebration. As one of BMCC’s longstanding traditions of student recognition, the evening highlighted the power of mentorship, collaboration, and collective support in creating meaningful pathways for student success and empowering students to reach new milestones.

BMCC Celebrates LGBTQIA+ Graduates with Lavender Graduation & Pride Month Brunch

BMCC hosted its annual Lavender Graduation and Pride Month brunch on May 29 in Richard Harris Terrace. The joy-filled event honors the achievements, resilience, and brilliance of our LGBTQIA+ graduates as they transition to four‑year colleges, professional pathways, and the next chapters of their lives.  This year’s celebration featured remarks from BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe and Vice President of Student Affairs Marva Craig as well as special guest keynote speaker NYC City Council member Tiffany Cabán.  BMCC’s Lavender Graduation and Pride Month celebration is rooted in affirmation, visibility and community.

Shirley Fiterman Art Center Presents ‘At the Edge,’ Group Exhibition: Opens June 10

The Shirley Fiterman Art Center (SFAC) at BMCC’s Fiterman Hall will present At the Edge, a group exhibition featuring 11 artists and one collective. The exhibition will open June 10 with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. and continue through Aug. 15. At the Edge brings together artists spanning five decades whose practices grapple with the urgencies of their time. Working across performance, video, installation and mixed media, these artists push against established definitions of art and culture. Responding to the economic, ideological, political, social and ecological pressures of their respective moments, their nonconforming practices challenge not only how we see but also how we make meaning. The exhibition features The 181, Sara Dotterer, Mariah Garnett, Allison Halter, Misha Japanwala, Selena Kimball, Ann Messner, Shelley Niro, Lorraine O’Grady, Catherine Opie, Zoë Pulley and Carolee Schneemann.

Making Headlines

Mayor Mamdani Gives Commencement Speech at BMCC Graduation Thursday (NY 1)
June 4, 2026—(Also in ABC7NY)

Announcements

BMCC Microsoft 365 Migration

Beginning Thursday, June 11 at 6:00 p.m., BMCC will migrate Outlook Email, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and related Microsoft 365 services to the CUNY environment. To learn more, watch this brief overview video or visit the IT Help Portal.

Cafeteria Summer Hours The 199 Chambers St. Cafeteria summer hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and closed on Fridays. The Fiterman Café is closed.

Human Resources

Four-Day Summer Workweek

The University has announced that it will be commencing its 2026 Summer 4-day workweek during the period of Monday, June 8, through Friday, August 14. CUNY’s practice for the workweek excludes Juneteenth and Independence Day. The Juneteenth holiday will be observed on Friday, June 19, and the Independence Day holiday will be observed on Friday, July 3.

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