Greetings, Colleagues. Welcome to the spring semester! Please join me on Monday, February 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Fiterman Conference Center (floors 13 and 14) for our next community forum on Designing for Success: Strategic Planning Phase 1. All faculty and staff are invited to attend and share their questions and suggestions. This forum is an opportunity to discuss the ongoing work of nearly 200 faculty and staff participating in the five Designing for Success working groups and the Equity and Inclusion Task Force. We also will host open brainstorming sessions to inform our strategic planning priorities for Spring 2019 and how we begin to shape Phase 2 in 2019-2020. A link to the forum agenda appears below. It will take the entire college to dramatically improve student success, BMCC’s highest priority, and I encourage you to attend any part or all of the forum. If you have not already confirmed your attendance, please send an email to President@bmcc.cuny.edu if you would like to participate. I look forward to seeing you at this important community forum and to hearing your thoughts about how we can make BMCC the very best it can be. Thank you for your contributions and commitment. Karrin E. Wilks, Ed.D. Interim President Borough of Manhattan Community College

Karrin E. Wilks

FEBRUARY 4 DESIGNING FOR SUCCESS FORUM AGENDA

DREAMers Scholarships: Deadline February 28
BMCC alumna Dulce Martinez immigrated to the United States in search of a better life. BMCC and the Dream.US scholarship were there to help. Learn more about applying for the THEDREAM.US Scholarship, deadline February 28.

Winter Convocation Highlights Action Plans to Build Student Success
The third annual Designing for Success Winter Convocation was held January 23 at BMCC, 199 Chambers Street. In a welcome address, Interim President Karrin E. Wilks presented data on BMCC student retention, graduation and transfer rates, and discussed how the college’s over-arching Designing for Success efforts address students’ experience through an “integrated planning process, multiple action plans integrated into a single process.” Breakout sessions were held all day, and the event closed with a resource fair and performance by the BMCC Jazz Ensemble.

BMCC/TPAC Presents Grammy-Nominated Alastair Moock BMCC/TPAC presents Grammy-nominated, singer-songwriter Alastair Moock as part of the Tribeca Spotlight: The Next Voice You Hear series on February 22 at 8 p.m. Moock made a name for himself on the folk and Americana circuit, playing renowned events like the Newport Folk Festival. Tickets are $21.  For more information, visit the BMCC/TPAC website or call (212) 220-1460.

Two BMCC Students Nominated for Vanguard Awards Animation and Motion Graphics major Jan Iverson, nominated by Professor Susan Stratton, and Human Services major Nico Tyndale, nominated by Professor Keith Carter, are now among 16 finalists for the Vanguard Award. Eight winners will be announced on February 12, and recognized at an awards ceremony in Albany this spring. The Vanguard Award highlights outstanding post-secondary students enrolled in career and technical education programs that are not traditional for their gender. The award is administered by the New York State Nontraditional Employment & Training (NET) Program, and is sponsored by the New York State Education Department through a Carl D. Perkins grant. Stayed tuned for the winners, to be announced!

January 31: Mediums of Exchange Opens at Shirley Fiterman Art Center
BMCC and Lehman College, CUNY will present Mediums of Exchange, a two-part art exhibition opening first on January 31 at 6 p.m. with a reception on February 6 at 6 p.m. in BMCC's Shirley Fiterman Art Center, and then on February 9 at Lehman College. (Shown above: Moyra Davey, Copperheads 101-200, 2013. Courtesy the artist, Janice Guy, New York and greengrassi, London)

Free Tax Preparation Available to BMCC Community
BMCC students, faculty and staff who have a pre-tax household income at or below $54,000 can take advantage of FREE tax preparation at BMCC. Walk-in services are offered at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230 now through April 25 from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday; from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Fridays; and from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays. This service is provided with support from Citigroup in collaboration with BMCC Single Stop. For more information visit online or call (212) 220-8195.

Free Admission to 9/11 Memorial and Museum Through March 21 for BMCC Students CUNY Arts has announced that CUNY students—including BMCC students with BMCC ID—can gain free admission to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at 200 Liberty Street, through March 21 during hours of operation. The museum will also offer free admission to BMCC faculty organized class trips. Interested faculty should contact BMCC Government and Community Relations Director Doug Israel at (212) 220-8067 or disrael@bmcc.cuny.edu.

February 1: Community College Career Fair Presents Faculty Job Openings BMCC will host a Career Fair featuring associate degree-granting institutions on February 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Representatives from colleges across the New York City region with full-time and part-time faculty openings will be in attendance.

Join Designing for Success Community Forum, February 4
On February 4 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Fiterman Conference Center (13th and 14th floors), BMCC faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in a Designing for Success Forum that will feature breakout sessions and presentations on the college's ongoing efforts to build student success. A previous forum on this topic was held October 16, 2018. Five working groups will present information about their work. Learn more about Designing for Success and stop by the upcoming forum.

Meet the ACEN Site Team, February 6 BMCC will host a site review for continued accreditation of its Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) Nursing Program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The BMCC community and the public are invited to meet the site team and share comments about the program from 1 to 2 p.m. on February 6 at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-748.

BMCC Panther Pantry: An Important Resource for Students Students experiencing food insecurity can find support at the BMCC Panther Pantry, located in Single Stop at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-230. "The Panther Pantry provides nutritionally balanced, nonperishable food for students in need," says Single Stop Director Deborah Harte. "We also help students connect with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. We are currently developing our donation policy, in compliance with Food Bank guidelines, so we are not accepting food donations at this time. Please check our website for how to donate food items in future. We are very appreciative of the BMCC community's support of this vital resource for our students."

BMCC Website Content Management System Update
The Office of Public Affairs has been installing WordPress, a content management system which will make website use much easier for faculty and staff. This system will be in place at the beginning of the Spring 2019 semester. Public Affairs will begin scheduling training sessions with liaisons from BMCC offices and departments on the use of this system after the semester begins. Please hold off submitting web edits to Public Affairs until after 2/25/19. Questions, please call Manny Romero, Executive Director of Public Affairs, at (212) 220-1238.

CUNY Black Male Initiative Conference - Call for Planning Committee Members
BMCC will host the 14th Annual CUNY Black Male Initiative (BMI) conference—I Was Not Born A Crime: Effective Strategies to Bond Education and Criminal Justice Reform—scheduled for October 1, 2019.  BMCC community members interested in serving on the planning committee or who have ideas to contribute should email BMCC Urban Male Leadership Academy Director Ashtion Holmes at aholmes@bmcc.cuny.edu

Resources for Supporting Students: Two Updated Brochures The Office of Public Affairs has released a new Comprehensive Academic Programs brochure, which provides degree program information, and Student Success Programs brochure, which highlights services from financial aid to mentoring programs. Printed copies are available on campus. Downloadable versions are on the BMCC website.

Discounts Available to BMCC Community​
BMCC faculty, staff and students receive discounts on goods and services from food to car rentals, at businesses including Best Buy, Apple, Enterprise Car Rental, Barnes and Noble and more.​

BMCC Employee Appreciation Awards: Nominations Open Show your appreciation for colleagues or staff members who demonstrate outstanding achievement, performance and creative contributions through their role at BMCC—beyond what is normally expected of employees. Submit no more than one nomination for each of the following categories: Leadership, Inspiration, Innovation/Technology, Rookie of the Year and Team Achievement.

There’s Still Time For Continuing Students to Register for Spring 2019
Please encourage students to continue on their path to success and register for Spring 2019. Things to know: All students must meet with their advisors before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or visit the Registrar’s Office, Room S-315 at 199 Chambers Street. For more information, visit the Registration page, contact Academic Advisement in Room S-108 at 199 Chambers Street or call (212) 220-8315. 

Share Your Tips for Student Success
You – the instructors and student support staff of BMCC – know from experience what actions lead a student to succeed in the classroom. Help our Panthers start off on the right foot! This month the Admissions Office will publish a list of ‘Top Tips for Success' on the #FuturePanthers blog, and we’re asking you to share your insights. What is the best thing a student can do now and throughout the semester to set themselves up for success? What student behaviors help you to help them? Submit your piece of advice in three minutes online.

Admissions and Financial Aid Info Sessions 
Prospective students are invited to attend information sessions for an overview of BMCC and the admissions and financial aid process. They can also take part in a Q & A with admissions and financial aid specialists. For more information, contact the Admissions Office, (212) 220-1265.

Say Hello to the Admissions Office on Social Media
The BMCC Admissions Office has launched three social media accounts. Stop by online and say hi! We appreciate your likes, follows and thumbs up. Facebook: @admissions Twitter: @bmccadmissionsInstagram: @bmccadmissions

BMCC alumnus Charlie Kleiman to compete in Special Olympics
January 22—Art Voice

BMCC pool reopened to the community
January 21—The Tribeca Tribune, Tribeca Citizen

BMCC alumna who struggled in foster care, now in final year at Queens College
January 21—The New York Times

TIAA Campus Visit BMCC faculty and staff who would like to meet with a TIAA counselor on campus from January 29 through June 25, please RSVP or call (800) 732-8353 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Pre-Tax Limit for Wageworks Commuter Benefits Increased
The pre-tax limit for monthly Commuter Benefits deductions (WageWorks) increased from $260 to $265 on January 1. No paperwork is required to activate the increase, but those who wish to change their deduction or enroll in the program may visit the Benefits page of the BMCC Human Resources website, complete the WageWorks Transit Benefit form and submit it to the Human Resources front desk, 199 Chambers Street, Room S-717.

Join Weight Watchers and Get a Free Jumpstarter Kit BMCC employees and their families are eligible for discounted memberships in Weight Watchers (WW). Enroll in WW online. Input City of New York, Employee ID: 11612222. Once enrolled, redeem your starter kit online by February 8. You can also join fellow WW members every Monday at 199 Chambers Street, Room S-341. For more information, contact LoriAnn Mazzola, lmazzola@bmcc.cuny.edu or call WW customer service, (866) 797-2836.

Enhance Your Skills Through CUNY Professional Development
The CUNY Professional Development and Learning Management (PDLM) Office presents the CUNY Professional Development Program now through June 19. BMCC faculty and staff can choose sessions ranging from data analytics to business writing and many others. Certificate programs are available. View catalogue and sign up now.

Are you a BMCC Alumni Champion?
BMCC Alumni Champions are BMCC Alumni who are currently a staff or faculty member at BMCC. The Office of Alumni Relations is gearing up to create special programing in appreciation for your continued dedication and service to your alma mater. We want to hear from you so we can extend special invitations to events and activities at BMCC. Please join our list of BMCC Alumni Champions by sending your information to us online. For more information, contact Yartiza Gonzales, (212) 346-8455 or ygonzalez@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Charitable Giving Through an IRA
Donors at least 70½ years old can take advantage of a simple way to satisfy minimum required distribution and benefit BMCC students at the same time. Donate up to $100,000 from an IRA directly to the BMCC Foundation without having to pay federal income taxes. Please contact Phillip Keefe, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, (212) 346-8650 or pkeefe@bmcc.cuny.edu for additional information.

Alumni Invited to Connect and Network BMCC Alumni Affairs provides alumni benefits and services, as well as involving alumni in the advancement and support of BMCC. Alumni are invited to special events, profiled in BMCC publications and welcomed into the vibrant community that is BMCC. For more information, contact Yaritza Gonzalez, Manager of Alumni Relations and Annual Fund, (212) 346-8455 or ygonzalez@bmcc.cuny.edu

Make a Difference in Students’ Lives: Faculty and Staff Campaign
The faculty and staff of BMCC support our students in countless ways, every single day. That support includes contributing to the BMCC Foundation Scholarship Fund. Your support of the Faculty and Staff Campaign makes a significant difference in our students’ lives. There are three easy ways to give:

• Make a donation online.
• Text your donation to BMCC at (646) 876-2622.
• Send your check, payable to the BMCC Foundation, via interoffice mail to the Office of College Development, F-1330. (Please note, you can designate your donation to your department).

Title IX: On the Basis of Sex Jan. 25

Writing Space for Faculty and Staff
Jan. 29

Math Start/CUNY Start Spring 2019 Information Session
Jan. 31

	BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center Listings		Center for Career Development Events
	Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship Events		Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development Events

BMCC Announces 2019 Baseball Tryouts

Women's Basketball
Jan. 24: BMCC vs. Suffolk County Community College (BMCC gym)
Jan. 26: BMCC vs. Hostos Community College (Bronx, NY)
Jan. 29: BMCC vs. Bronx Community College (Bronx, NY)

Men's Basketball
Jan. 24: BMCC vs. Suffolk County Community College (BMCC gym)
Jan. 26: BMCC vs. Hostos Community College (Bronx, NY)
Jan. 29: BMCC vs. Bronx Community College (Bronx, NY)

@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.