News

Welcome to the BMCC Spring 2024 Semester

BMCC Kicks Off Bold Plan to Expand Study Abroad Through Partnership With CIEE 
BMCC has formed a partnership with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) to expand BMCC’s Study Abroad program to serve 1,000 students by 2028. To discuss strategies for achieving this ambitious goal, the CIEE team travelled from Maine, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Boston and Harlem to join BMCC leadership, faculty and staff for a speaker program and luncheon in Fiterman Hall on January 24. CIEE works with over 225 college programs providing Study Abroad opportunities across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. 

Tech Readiness Day Helps Prepare Students for Job Searches 
Students filled the 14th-floor conference rooms at Fiterman Hall on January 24 for the BMCC Tech Readiness Day. The all-day event was sponsored by the Grow with Google program in collaboration with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and the Center for Career Development with support from the Office of Student Affairs. More than 200 students participated either in person or virtually. Tech Readiness Day was designed to help sharpen the types of skills, knowledge and connections needed to launch an internship or career in technology related fields. In addition to taking part in hands-on workshops, students could network with industry representatives and alumni. 

BMCC Welcomes Joy B. Tolliver, Esq. as Acting Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs and Labor Relations BMCC welcomes Joy B. Tolliver, Esq., as Acting Assistant Vice President for Legal Affairs and Labor Relations. Ms. Tolliver will oversee BMCC’s legal team to ensure compliance with city, state and federal laws, as well as with CUNY bylaws, policies and collective bargaining agreements. She will also provide guidance to help ensure that the College’s labor practices are in accordance with BMCC’s mission and strategic priorities and serve as the BMCC liaison to the CUNY Office of General Counsel and the CUNY Office of Labor Relations. Read President Anthony E. Munroe's message.

Dr. Musa Elbulok Named Acting Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning Dr. Musa Elbulok has been named Acting Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning at BMCC Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics. Dr. Elbulok joined BMCC in 2017 as Institutional Research Manager in the same office, and was promoted to role of Director of Institutional Research and Data Analysis in 2021. In his new role as Acting Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning, Dr. Elbulok will direct operations for the analysis and reporting of data on student learning outcomes, institutional effectiveness, and other areas that inform the College’s Strategic Plan, programs, services and policies. Read more in President Anthony E. Munroe’s message.

BMCC Students to Present at National Conference on Undergraduate Research Three CUNY students under Economics Professor Christine Farias' mentorship will present their research proposals at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) being held in Long Beach, California starting April 8. The students—Economics majors Luciana Fisher and Irvin Corona Aquino as well as Toodashwarie Singh, a senior Economics major at York College—were chosen from among submissions from colleges and universities around the United States. The submissions underwent rigorous review by experts in their discipline and they are being offered the opportunity to present their work to their peers, faculty and staff that will be attending the conference from across the nation.

BMCC Staff and Faculty Celebrated at Breakfast Event
President Anthony E. Munroe and his Cabinet hosted an appreciation breakfast for staff and faculty in the third-floor dining hall at 199 Chambers Street on January 24. In addition to a hearty buffet featuring eggs, pancakes and two meat choices, the event offered members of the College community an opportunity to spend time together the day before Spring 2024 classes began. “We’re thanking people for the work they did during registration and for their dedication during last semester,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Marva Craig.

And the Winners Are ... BMCC Student Filmmakers
On December 10, the BMCC Cinema Arts Club presented the Fall 2023 BMCC Film Festival in Theater Two at the College’s 199 Chambers Street campus. “Even though the festival took place on a very rainy Sunday, the audience turnout was quite satisfactory and viewers responded warmly to the students’ work,” said Professor Riggopoulos. Acclaimed cinematographer Eliana Alvarez Martinez donated her time as a judge, selecting winners for original student films in categories including documentary, fiction, experimental, animation and client-based films.

Making Headlines

Media Arts Technology Professor Claudette Charles-Barr comments on the history of Blackness across cinema
January 18, 2024—EnVi (media)

Did You Know?

Announcements

Afrikan Heritage Month Opening Ceremony February 7
Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the opening ceremony for BMCC’s Afrikan Heritage Month—Transformation, Empowerment and Expressions—beginning at 1 p.m. on February 7 in the Cafeteria at 199 Chambers Street. This year’s keynote speaker is Craig Wesley, Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the Simons Foundation. The event will be a celebration of Afrikan history and culture featuring food, dance and music.

Student Research Opportunities Available  The BMCC Foundation Fund (BFF) Research Program and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Research Program are accepting applications from BMCC students to participate in a paid, faculty-mentored research opportunity. The research foundation is also sharing information about a spring internship with Hudson River Park that’s been specifically designated for a BMCC student in the Bridges to Baccalaureate BMCC-CCNY scholarship program. For information about more student research opportunities, contact Director of Research Odaelys Pollard at opollard@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Love to Sing? Downtown Chorus Looking for New Voices
BMCC Downtown Chorus is looking for new voices to join a friendly—and varied—core group of singers. Singers of all experience levels and vocal ranges are welcome. The ability to read music is a plus but not a requirement as is prior chorale experience. Members include students, faculty and BMCC staff as well as residents of neighboring communities. The chorus's founder and artistic director is Dr. Eugenia Oi Yan Yau, chairperson of Music and Art Department. Contact Professor Yau at  (212) 776-7240 or e-mail: eyau@bmcc.cuny.edu for an audition.

LGBTQIA+ Faculty and Staff Encouraged to Inquire About Pride Mentoring Network 
Faculty and staff who identify as LGBTQIA+ and are interested in serving as mentors to LGBTQIA+ BMCC students are encouraged to inquire about the BMCC Pride Mentoring Network. Mentors will help students throughout their college careers by providing assistance that includes helping to navigate college resources, connecting to support networks within the college and community, helping students stay on top of key deadlines and more. For more information, please contact Professor Yuliya Shneyderman at yshneyderman@bmcc.cuny.edu or Professor Brian Kelley at bkelley@bmcc.cuny.edu.  Join the BMCC Pride Alliance to receive LGBTQIA+ community focused updates.  

WAC Newsletter Focuses on Feedback to Student Writing
The Spring 2024 Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Newsletter explores topics such as how different strategies for giving feedback can help students become active participants in a dynamic classroom exchange of ideas and worldviews. The WAC coordinators at BMCC are Professors Rifat Salam, Holly Messitt and Christa Baida. All BMCC students are required to take at least one Writing Intensive (WI) course in order to graduate. Training sessions for full-time faculty interested in teaching WI courses and earning WAC Certification are held each semester. Learn more here. Read archived issues of the WAC Newsletter here. 

CUNY Career Compass for Women Leaders Conference: Proposal Deadline February 2
The CUNY Leaders Navigate committee is seeking proposals for the CUNY Career Leaders Conference scheduled for March. This year’s theme is "The Future of Work for Women: Where Do We Go From Here?" The planning team seeks stories, ideas and best practices for empowering women to strategize for transformative career success. For more information, visit the conference registration page.

Drawing Alphabets: 2024 BMCC Art Faculty Show Opens February 15 Shirley Fiterman Art Center will present Drawing Alphabets, the 2024 Art Faculty Show from February 15 to March 23. The show, featuring work by faculty artists provides viewers an opportunity to see the breadth of works produced in a range of mediums by BMCC’s professors. This exhibition highlights the college’s continued commitment to its growing art department. Each artist will be spotlighted through a series of artwork images accompanied by an artist profile. Pictured at left: Jessica Ramirez, Textile Narratives #3, 64" x 43", wool, acrylic, yarn

Save the Date: Social Justice Week Begins March 19 
Faculty are encouraged to add Social Justice Week to their syllabi and course schedules. Hosted by the Race, Equity and Inclusion (REI) Steering Committee, this year’s events will take place March 19 through March 21. This year’s theme—"Challenging Conversations: Building Pathways to Hope and Unity"—will include keynote speakers, panel discussions, student performances and film screenings that foster dialogue and connection. For more information, contact rei@bmcc.cuny.edu.   

Let Students Know: Wi-Fi Sign-In Process Has Changed 
Students are now required to use their full BMCC email address when signing into campus computers, Wi-Fi, the BMCC Portal and all other BMCC IT services requiring authentication. They will also need to use a different domain on their email addresses, changing from stu.bmcc.cuny.edu to bmcc.cuny.edu. Please note: When accessing their BMCC email, the domain will remain stu.bmcc.cuny.edu. Students can reach out to the Service Desk with questions, email userservices@bmcc.cuny.edu or stop by 199 Chambers Street, Room S-141, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Enrollment

Spring 2024: There's Still Time to Get Advised and Register
It is not too late to register for the Spring 2024 semester. There are several opportunities for students to receive guidance and support with registration. From January 22 to 26, help is available in person. From January 29 to February 2, help is available via Zoom and in person. Students should visit the Panther Station webpage or contact Academic Advisement at (212) 220-8315 or aatc@bmcc.cuny.edu for more details.

Human Resources

Gender-Based Violence Training Joins ESPARC and WVP Mandated Trainings

• The state- and CUNY-mandated Employee Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Course (ESPARC) and Workplace Violence Prevention Training (WVP) are available for the 2023-2024 academic year. All part-time employees, including adjuncts, as well as full-time employees must complete both trainings by May 31.
• The state- and CUNY-mandated Gender Based Violence Training (GBVT) is required for HR professionals and managers with at least one direct report. Full and part-time employees notified by email about GBVT must complete it by May 31.
• Through April, Human Resources will host four pre-recorded, two-hour ESPARC and WPV Zoom sessions. To schedule a Zoom training, contact Lori Mazzola at lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu. 

Sports and Wellness

Four Players Score in Double Figures, Kennedy Posts Second Straight Triple-Double In 80-61 Win Over Laguardia C.C.

Ysaia Marte And Khalil Black Lead Men's Basketball To Dominant CUNYAC Victory, 82-59, Over Laguardia C.C. At Home

BMCC Men's Basketball's Khalil Black Receives CUNYAC Weekly Honorable Mention 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.

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