@BMCC

April 28, 2022

BMCC Celebrates the Outstanding Academic Achievement of 17 Valedictorian Finalists
The BMCC Office of Academic Affairs has named 17 graduating finalists for the 2022 Valedictorian. After a series of interviews and a close review of essays, one of these graduates will be selected as Valedictorian and tasked with delivering a speech before thousands of attendees at the College’s in-person commencement, set for June 9 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. A few of the finalists shared details about their academic journey at BMCC.

Three BMCC Professors Each Awarded $40 K Mellon/ACLS Faculty Fellowships
BMCC is proud to announce that English Professor Jungah Kim, Modern Languages Professor Chun-Yi Peng and Sociology Professor Amy Sodaro have each been awarded a 2022 Mellon/ACLS Community College Faculty Fellowship. The BMCC professors are among 30 awardees, who will each receive $40,000 to advance their projects, many of which include research, community engagement and pedagogical dimensions.

BMCC Student Artists Flex Their Talent in a Range of Mediums
The Art Foundations program in the BMCC Music and Art Department and the Shirley Fiterman Art Center (SFAC) at 81 Barclay Street in BMCC’s Fiterman Hall, are excited to present an exhibition of work by student artists in a wide range of mediums. The exhibition will run through May 13. Shown L-R: De’ja Good-Boyer, ART266, Charcoal on paper, Untitled; Vivian Moore, ART 143, Paperplay Design, “Save the Bees”; Lemon Kim, ART 270, Charcoal on paper, “Self Portrait with Tulips”

BMCC Founders Festival Showcases Student Entrepreneurs: May 4
BMCC alumni and students in any major are invited to present a five-minute business idea or pitch at the BMCC Blackstone Launchpad Founders Festival on Wednesday, May 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. Participants are asked to register ahead of time. BMCC faculty and staff are invited to attend and serve as mentors, and can register here. There will be a vote on student ideas and $10,000 in cash and other prizes will be offered to the student entrepreneurs. Prizes include a Tech Incubator @Queens College Virtual Membership, entrepreneur coaching sessions valued at $500, membership in the New York Distance Learning Association (NYDLA.org) and more. For more information, please contact Business Professor and Deputy Chairperson Shane Snipes at rsnipes@bmcc.cuny.edu. Visit the BMCC Entrepreneurship Library Guide for an overview of opportunities and resources for student entrepreneurs. Learn more about the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Small Business/Entrepreneurship program at BMCC.

Professors Sharon Avni and Sophie Maríñez Each Awarded $6K in NEH Summer Stipends
Two BMCC professors have been awarded prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) summer stipends to continue developing their innovative research projects. Academic Literacy and Linguistics Professor Sharon Avni (Shown Right) has been awarded an NEH summer stipend of $6,000 to write a chapter for her book manuscript, “Speaking of Hebrew: Language and identity in contemporary American Judaism.” Modern Languages Professor Sophie Maríñez (Shown Left) has been awarded an NEH summer stipend of $6,000 to complete her manuscript on the representation of violence in literature, political discourse and cultural works produced in Haiti and the Dominican Republic between the 1790s and 1990s.

Professor Quentin Angus Commissioned to Compose Work in Honor of Painter Rita Angus; With Animation by Professor Carlo R. Diego
Jazz guitarist and composer Quentin Angus, Associate Professor of Music, and Program Coordinator of Jazz and Popular Music in BMCC’s Music and Art Department, was commissioned by the Australia Council of the Arts to compose music inspired by the works and life of his great-aunt, the painter Rita Angus. On April 8, the composition was performed by members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and a video of the performance was released in partnership with TePapa Museum in Wellington, New Zealand. Suspended above the quartet as they performed, images of the artwork of Rita Angus was projected, including animation by Media Arts and Technology Assistant Professor Carlo R. Diego.

Student Panel With Special Guest Bryan Doerries, Artistic Director of Theater of War Productions
On May 4 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. in Room F-1404 in Fiterman Hall, as well as on Zoom, Core Books at CUNY will host a student panel with special guest Bryan Doerries, Artistic Director of Theater of War Productions. Core Books at CUNY is a program exploring how to incorporate texts from the Columbia Core into CUNY community college coursework, and includes Hostos Community College, LaGuardia Community College and NY Technical College, in addition to BMCC. The student panelists have all completed Core Books sections at BMCC and will speak about their immersive experience with Antigone by the playwright Socrates.

BMCC Celebrates National Administrative Professionals Day
Yesterday we celebrated National Administrative Professionals Day! "THANK YOU" to all our administrative professionals for all that you do for our faculty, staff and students!

Animation and Motion Graphics Professor Carlo Diego Selected for MvVO ART’s AD ART SHOW
Animation and Motion Graphics Professor Carlo Diego will be a featured artist at the Ad Art Show 2022 taking place throughout the month of May at Westfield World Trade Center inside the Oculus. Professor Diego’s work will be exhibited starting May 1 and through May 7 on screen five. Professor Diego and the other artists in the show were chosen by the MvVO ART selection committee—a who’s who of contemporary art experts and globally recognized creative pioneers.

Announcements

BMCC Students Can Receive Free Bag of Produce
Currently registered BMCC students can receive a free bag of Fresh Produce, thanks to a partnership among the New York City Council, CUNY and Grow NYC. The first day of distribution is Tuesday, May 3 between 12 and 3 p.m. in the Lower Lobby at BMCC’s 199 Chambers Street campus. This program will take place on Tuesdays through June 21. Students must register to be put on the distribution list, by emailing Regina Shields, Student Life Specialist, rshields@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Nominate a Student for BMCC Foundation Scholarship: Deadline extended to April 29
Faculty and staff are invited to nominate students for the BMCC Foundation, Inc. Scholarship. Eligible students can receive up to $3,200 each year. They must be matriculated, completing their first college degree at BMCC and maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA. Full-time student nominees must have completed at least 12 credits at BMCC, and part-time students, at least 20. To nominate a student, please send their name and CUNY ID number to Scholarship and Special Services Coordinator Sussie Gyamfi, sgyamfi@bmcc.cuny.edu, by April 22.

Students Encouraged to Apply to CUNY Career Launch Summer Internship Program: Deadline April 29
The CUNY Career Launch Program is recruiting 2,000 CUNY students from 18 to 24 years of age for paid summer jobs and internships. Students will earn $20 per hour during their six-week summer internship at companies and organizations in the government, healthcare, STEM, non-profit and green energy sectors. To apply to the program, click here. The deadline to apply is April 29.

Petrie and STEM Summer Tuition Waivers Help Students Complete Their Degrees
BMCC will offer two tuition waivers in Summer 2022: the Petrie Completion Waiver and the STEM Waiver. To be eligible, students must be degree-seeking at BMCC. Each waiver covers $210 per credit. Please note that only the tuition for the course will be waived and students will be responsible for all fees and materials, such as textbooks. To qualify, students must register no later than May 1 for classes starting May 31, and June 15 for classes starting July 20.

Students eligible for the Petrie Completion waiver must have three or fewer courses left to complete their associate degree and use the waiver to complete those courses. They can apply one tuition waiver in the summer session beginning May 31 and one in the session starting July 20.
Students eligible for the STEM waiver must be an NYC resident and U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time the waiver is applied. They must enroll in a credit-bearing math, science or computer science course that counts toward their degree and can apply the one waiver each for classes in the summer sessions starting May 31 and July 20. Other courses covered by the STEM waiver are: ANI 401, 402 and 260; any CIS, EMC 100 and 303; HIT 210, LIN 101, MEA 201 and 371; MMA 100, MMP 100, NUR 415, PHI 110, PSY 100 and RTT 210.

For more information, please contact the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center, aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Assessment Day Colloquium Examines How to Erase Barriers to Student Success: May 13
The BMCC Academic Assessment Committee invites students, faculty and staff to join the in-person and online Assessment Day Colloquium: Assessment During a Crisis: Assessing Student Retention in a Post-COVID Era on Friday, May 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will be two plenary speakers, break-out sessions and panels. The BMCC Academic Assessment Committee will share faculty and student survey results that are part of ongoing efforts to promote learning, retention and timely graduation at BMCC. The aim of this colloquium is to unpack the survey results, examine the barriers to student success, and discuss solutions. If you have any questions, contact Professor Quentin Angus at qangus@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Free Naturalization Clinic for BMCC Students: Register by May 4
On May 24, the BMCC Advocacy and Resource Center along with the City Bar Justice Center and Fragomen will sponsor a free Naturalization Clinic to assist currently enrolled BMCC students who are permanent residents completing the U.S. citizen naturalization application. This workshop with a licensed attorney will be held at BMCC Express, 255 Greenwich Street, between Murray Street and Park Place. Space is limited. Students can register by emailing ARC@bmcc.cuny.edu or calling (212) 220-8195. The deadline to register is May 4.

Submit Your Ballot for the 2021-2022 Employee Appreciation Awards by May 6
BMCC students, faculty and staff, show your appreciation for staff (non-faculty) who demonstrate outstanding achievement and creative contributions through their role at BMCC — beyond what is normally expected of employees. SUBMIT ONE BALLOT with a detailed nomination in any or all categories: Leadership, Inspiration, Innovation/Technology, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement.

BMCC Panther Pantry Assists Students Facing Food Insecurity
BMCC students facing a food emergency are encouraged to visit the Panther Pantry and take home pre-packed bags of nutritious, non-perishable food. The pantry distributes bags of food, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hot meals are distributed Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m. at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230. For more information, contact the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) at arc@bmcc.cuny.edu or call (212) 220-8195.

COVID-19 Treatments Available For All City Residents Age 12 and Over
Treatment for COVID-19 is available to New York City residents age 12 and older who tests positive for COVID-19. Only a health care provider can prescribe treatment. If your provider decides treatment can help you, they may prescribe a daily pill (taken for five days) or a one-time IV or injection. Treatment is free and can be delivered to your home within 24 hours. These treatments can lessen symptoms and help keep you out of the hospital. To find a pharmacy near you that has COVID-19 treatments, including locations where you can get tested and a prescription in one visit, see the COVID-19 Treatments Locator. Talk to a health care provider after you test positive so they can evaluate you for treatment options. If you do not have a provider, call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319). To find out how treatments can help, click here.

Faculty and Staff Deadline to Upload Vaccine Verification Extended to May 27
CUNY and the Professional Staff Congress/CUNY (PSC) have agreed to revise the date by which all full- and part-time faculty and non-teaching instructional staff —which includes among others NTAs, CLTs and those in the HEO-title series—will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to upload proof of vaccination into CUNYfirst. The deadline has been changed from April 1 to May 27, 2022. The deadline applies to ECPs, as well. Please upload proof of vaccination on CUNYfirst.

Reimagining BMCC Website Offers COVID-19 Information
Visit the Reimagining BMCC website for updated information about wearing masks on campus, Random Testing Program for ALL BMCC community members, CUNY Access Pass Through Cleared4, and tips to help upload Vaccination and Booster Verification in CUNYfirst. Following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and higher education safety guidelines issued by the New York State Department of Health and CUNY, BMCC is committed to creating the best possible learning and working experience for students, faculty and staff.

Enrollment

Admissions is Back in the Swing with In-Person Events
The Admissions and Recruitment team is reintegrating on-campus Tours and Information Sessions. Campus Tours will be offered Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. and the Information Sessions at 3 p.m. Be on the lookout for new and friendly faces around campus. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (212) 220-1265 or admissions@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Summer and Fall 2022 Advisement and Registration is Open
Faculty and staff, please encourage students to schedule a Zoom meeting with their advisor to discuss their academic progress and registration. Things to know: All students must meet with their advisor before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or meet with a Panther Station Specialists on Zoom. When choosing classes on CUNYfirst, students should pay close attention to the class meeting mode (in-person, online or hybrid), as well as the class session (15, 8, or 7 weeks). Students attending in-person or hybrid classes must upload proof of vaccination. For more information, visit the Registration page or contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Making Headlines

Zurich Insurance continues internship program at BMCC
April 27, 2022 — Cison Newswire

Human Resources

Enjoy Healthy Tips and Move More!
WorkWell Digital provides Healthy Tips and recipes, as well as virtual yoga, stretching, cardio classes and more through April and June. In addition, a series of special workshops in April will delve into specific actions to protect the climate, community, health and more.

Try Recipes of the Month for a Cinco De Mayo Feast
From Huevos Rancheros to Spicy Cucumber Margaritas,these healthy recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, sides, drinks and desserts will help you celebrate the whole month of May. For more inspiration, check out these nutrition and culinary workshops from DOHMH, happening each Tuesday from 12-12:30 on Facebook Live.

Mandatory Trainings for Full- and Part-Time Staff and Faculty Available on Zoom
The Office of Human Resources will host virtual sessions for ESPARC (Employee Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course) and WPV (Workplace Violence Prevention) trainings via Zoom during the Spring 2022 semester. For dates, times and to reserve a spot, please visit the Human Resources Training and Development page.

Donors and Alumni

Save the Date: BMCC "Invest in a Future" Gala, October 27
The BMCC Foundation is pleased to present the college's most important fundraising event – BMCC's "Invest in a Future" Gala, scheduled October 27, 2022 (6 p.m., cocktail hour; 7 p.m., program). This year's theme is "Empowering Student Success," and the event will raise funds for student scholarships. To learn more about the gala, send an email to: advancementevents@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Give the Gift of Education—DONATE TODAY!
Your generous donations go a long way in funding scholarships, research and programs, and allow us to continue delivering quality education to our students. Ways to give include Direct Gifts, Gifts of Securities, Gifts of Real Estate and many more. For more information, please visit the Ways to Give website, call the Office for Institutional Advancement at (212) 220-8020 or email Karen Wilson-Stevenson, Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement at kwilson-stevenson@bmcc.cuny.edu. Your support is greatly appreciated.

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