News

Science Professor Miguel Fiolhais Awarded Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics

Science Professor Miguel Fiolhais has been awarded the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics from the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. Professor Fiolhais and his colleagues in the ATLAS Collaboration, which conducts research at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), at The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), received the award for detailed measurements of Higgs boson properties. In explaining his research, Professor Fiolhais points out that everything around us is made of matter, and matter is made of atoms, which consist of electrons orbiting a nucleus. The nucleus itself is made of protons and neutrons and inside these we find quarks. He says the LHC is like a giant microscope that lets scientists look deep inside matter, that are far smaller than atoms, to understand what everything in the universe is made of and how it all works. “Particle physics is the science of understanding the universe at its most fundamental level, and the LHC is the most advanced tool humanity has built to explore that frontier,” said Professor Fiolhais.

BMCC Men’s Cross Country Team Headed to Nationals After Winning First Ever Region 15 Championship

BMCC’s Men’s Cross Country team has won the 2025 Region 15 Championship, the first regional title in the four-year history of the program. The Panthers’ head coach, Ricardo Villanueva, was also named Region 15 Cross Country Coach of the Year. The competition took place on October 18 at the St. Joseph’s Invitational in Kings Park, New York. The Panthers are now gearing up for the NJCAA National Championship competition, to be held in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on November 8. “Achievements like this showcase the true value of athletic programs like BMCC’s,” said Ricardo Villanueva, who also serves as BMCC Sports Information Director. 

Fall 2025 Open House Attendance Rises

BMCC’s Office of Admissions hosted the Fall 2025 Open House on October 15 at 199 Chambers Street. Attendance at this year’s event grew by 13.5%—from 458 to 520 attendees. BMCC Associate Director Jose Altamirano said the event was a success. “All Open House activities were centralized within the promenade, commuter lounge, and cafeteria, creating a cohesive and engaging environment for attendees,” said Altamirano. “In addition, the student panel was thoughtfully planned, and the question-and-answer session with new students and parents was both engaging and successful.” He added that faculty feedback on the event was positive.

Con Edison Awards $50K Grant to BMCC’s Project Impact Program Con Edison has awarded BMCC’s Project Impact program a $50,000 grant. The funds will be used to deepen and expand the program’s Community and Belonging initiatives for justice-impacted students at BMCC. “This is an important pillar of our program model, one that cultivates understanding, acknowledges the resilience of our students, affirms their sense of belonging, improves academic outcomes, and instills the confidence needed to thrive on and off campus,” said Tommasina Faratro, Director of Project Impact. The grant will also help scale community engagement initiatives and enhance student programming, according to Olga Millman, Assistant Director of Project Impact. “It sends a signal to the larger New York City community that BMCC actively welcomes and champions the success of all New Yorkers with lived experiences in the criminal legal system,” Millman added.

BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe Named to 2025 Power Players in Education List BMCC President Dr. Anthony E. Munroe has been named to the PoliticsNY 2025 Power Players in Education list. PoliticsNY writes that “from presidents of educational institutions to directors of nonprofits to policymakers, our 2025 Power Players in Education are at the forefront of shaping New York’s education landscape and guiding students toward a bright future.” The publication also notes, “Under his guidance, BMCC has boosted retention and graduation rates, expanded scholarships, upgraded facilities, and secured a $1 million CIEE matching grant to expand study-abroad opportunities.” Read more here.

Middle States Self-Study Core Team Hosts Town Hall

The Middle States Self-Study Core Team hosted a Town Hall on October 21 in Room N-452 at 199 Chambers Street.  The event acquainted BMCC community members with the Middle States accreditation processes that define the College as an institution. The event, which included a pre-recorded welcome from BMCC President, Dr. Anthony E. Munroe, addressed the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation process and our self-study design. The Town Hall was led by team leaders Criminal Justice Professor Brenda Vollman and English Professor Holly Messitt.

BMCC Hosts Fall Transfer Fair

More than 400 students visited the Fall CUNY, SUNY, and private college Transfer Fair on October 21 in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. Representatives from more than 60 colleges and universities were on hand to answer questions and share information. The event was hosted by the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center (AATC) and coordinated by Senior Academic Advisor Staci Segal. It was deemed a success based on the strong student turnout and the enthusiastic feedback offered by many senior college admission representatives who attended, according to Karen Ehrlich, Associate Director of AATC. “The success of future events is contingent upon the much-appreciated and continued support of faculty, advising units, and all student-facing administrative offices that encourage their students to attend,” said Ehrlich. “Transfer Fairs are the quintessential opportunity for students to speak directly with admission representatives from multiple institutions during all stages of their academic journey at BMCC.”

The Fantasies of Future Things Author Doug Jones Speaks at BMCC

Author Doug Jones shared highlights from his debut novel The Fantasies of Future Things during a special book discussion event at BMCC on October 21 in Room N-452 at 199 Chambers Street. In this “gorgeously compassionate” (Tayari Jones, New York Times bestselling author of An American Marriage) debut novel, reminiscent of Barry Jenkins’s Moonlight, two men in Atlanta reconcile their human dignity against the price of their professional ambitions working for a real estate development company displacing Black residents in preparation for the 1996 Olympics. In addition to reading excerpts from the book, Jones shared insight from his life journey, his writing process, and also engaged in dialogue with the students. The event, part of BMCC Pride Month, was organized by Social Sciences and Human Services Professor Sheldon Applewhite.

Center for Career Development Hosts Equity in Access Disability Job Fair

The Center for Career Development and the Office of Accessibility recently co-hosted the Equity in Access Disability Job Fair on October 22 at the Fiterman Hall Conference Center. The fair created an inclusive, intimate space for students to connect directly with employers committed to equitable hiring practices. Employers from a range of sectors—including engineering, IT, business, social work, and early childhood education—were available to answer questions and discuss career pathways, workplace inclusion, and accessibility in professional environments.

Center for Career Development Hosts Arts/Humanities, Education, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Communications and Media Job Fair

More than 200 students attended BMCC’s Center for Career Development Arts/Humanities, Education, Behavioral and Social Sciences, Communications and Media Job Fair on October 23 in Richard Harris Terrace. Twenty-five employers from a range of fields were available to answer student questions and discuss career paths and internship opportunities. Students had the opportunity to network directly with recruiters and learn about emerging opportunities in the job market. A photographer was on hand to take professional LinkedIn headshots, which students can use to enhance their online presence. The event also featured an employer panel, and according to organizers, the lively atmosphere reflected the energy and curiosity of students eager to take the next step in their career journeys.

Mayoral Candidates Participate in Black Edfluencers Mayoral Forum

Black Edfluencers-United (BE-U), The Equity Action Plan Coalition and Black faculty at BMCC hosted a Mayoral Forum on the Black Agenda in Education October 18 in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street.  Three write-in candidates— Dr. Selma Bartholomew, Democrat; Irene Estrada, Conservative; and Joseph Hernandez, Independent—took part in the event. BMCC Professor James Blake, who moderated the forum, emphasized the importance of the discussion to Black and Hispanic New Yorkers. “We’ve all gathered from all over the five boroughs for tonight,” said Professor Blake. “For them to show up and take us seriously shows their character, it shows that we’re important.”

Making Headlines

Professor James Blake discusses the 1995 Million Man March

October 16, 2025—Spectrum NY1

BMCC transfer student to University of Pittsburgh pens Op-Ed on gender expression

October 20, 2025—The Pitt News

Paramedic Program Director Meghan Williams featured in EMS podcast on empathy

October 20, 2025—Registry Insider

Did You Know?

National Student Transfer Week is October 20 through October 24. Find out more about BMCC’s Academic Advisement and Transfer Center.

Announcements

Italian Heritage Day Celebration October 30

BMCC community members are invited to attend the College’s Italian Heritage month celebration on October 30 starting at 10 a.m. at Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street.  The event features guest speakers, including Consul General Di Michele, Consolato Generale d’Italia a New York/Consulate General of Italy in New York as well discussions on Italian art and music. Find out more about the day’s events here.

Pride Month Closing Ceremony: Resisting Across Past, Present and Future

BMCC community members are invited to the 2025 Pride Month closing event — Resisting Across Past, Present and Future — from 12 to 2 p.m. on October 28 in Richard Harris Terrace. The event will feature Dr. Alejandro Varderi, Spanish Professor and Co-Chair of BMCC’s AIDS Awareness Club in the 1990s; Dr. Amy Beth, Coordinator at the Lesbian Herstory Archives in Brooklyn; José Luis Sánchez, Manager of Volunteer and Corporate Engagement at SAGE USA for LGBTQ+ Elders; and Stefanos Milkidis, American Government Professor and Ph.D. candidate researching queer spaces in NYC. The event will be moderated by Dr. Mateo Sancho Cardiel, Sociology Lecturer and Pride Committee Co-Chair.

Roll up Your Sleeve: New York Blood Center Blood Drive Nov. 5 and 6

BMCC’s Office of Health Services will host a two-day blood drive for the New York Blood Center from 12 to 6 p.m. on November 5 and November 6 at Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street.  Appointments are preferred however walk-ins will be welcomed if space permits. Please remember to eat, drink and bring your donor ID card or ID with name and photo. Masks are optional for all donors regardless of vaccination status.  Sign up for November 5 here and for November 6 here.

Alert from BMCC Public Safety

Public Safety has been made aware of recent incidents involving scammers targeting students in the Greenwich Street and Chambers Street area. These individuals are reportedly approaching students with false promises of job opportunities or employment information and demanding cash in exchange.

Public Safety advises that:

• If approached by individuals you do not know, do not engage and walk away immediately.
• Call 911 if you feel threatened or unsafe.
• Report any suspicious encounters to BMCC Public Safety at (212) 220-8080 as soon as possible.
• The safety and security of the BMCC community remain Public Safety’s highest priority. Please stay alert and cautious when approached by strangers near campus.

Free Naturalization Clinic for BMCC Students – Register by Oct. 27 for Nov. 4 Clinic

The BMCC Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) will host a free naturalization clinic with representatives from the City Bar Justice Center and Fragomen on November 4 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., in Richard Harris Terrace. The clinic is designed to assist currently enrolled BMCC students who are Permanent Residents to complete a US Citizenship Naturalization application. Currently enrolled students who are permanent residents can attend the event. The deadline to register is October 27. To Register: Visit the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) Office at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230, email ARC@bmcc.cuny.edu, or call (212) 220-8195.

BMCC IDs Currently Available

BMCC IDs are currently available to all registered students and active employees at the Service Desk located in room S-141 of 199 Chambers Street, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit the Service Desk Knowledge Base.

BMCC Cafeteria and Fiterman Café Fall Hours BMCC Cafeteria at 199 Chambers St. is open Monday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fiterman Café is open Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call for Proposals: BMCC Transitions and Transactions Conference

BMCC’s English department invites faculty to submit paper and panel proposals for “Transitions and Transactions VIII: Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, and the Classroom,” scheduled for April 17-18, 2026. The Transitions and Transactions conference is dedicated to helping community college teachers of literature flourish and excel as they envision, invent and expand ideas. The deadline for submissions is November 15. For more information, visit the event’s web page.

Enrollment

NY High School Students Can Apply to BMCC for Free

Great news for high school seniors! BMCC/CUNY is waiving application fees for New York students:

• NYC Students (CUNY): Apply free from October 27 to November 21
• NY State Students (SUNY): Apply free from October 20 to November 3

Human Resources

BMCC Health Fair — Your Wellness Starts Here November 3

November 3, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. • Richard Harris Terrace
Join us for the BMCC Health Fair, a vibrant and informative event dedicated to your health and well-being. Whether you're looking to connect with health professionals, explore wellness resources, or discover services available to you, this is your opportunity to take charge of your health journey. Come with questions, leave with answers. Let’s build a healthier BMCC community together.

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

VOTE Early Day
October 28

AI Innovation Summit

November 1

Pride Month: Volleyball and Pickleball

October 30

Connect with BMCC

@BMCC is produced and published by the Office of Public Affairs.

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