BMCC Community Encouraged to Participate in Focus Groups
The Listening Tours Committee, as part of the Designing for Success Initiative, has been charged to create a process by which students, faculty and staff all across the college can speak openly about their experience and impressions of inclusivity at BMCC. This input will help guide recommendations to make BMCC an environment in which every member of the community can thrive. The college is hosting a series of charrettes-inspired focus groups. The BMCC community is encouraged to sign up for a focus group by emailing Peter Hoontis at phootis@bmcc.cuny.edu. This is an opportunity for the BMCC community to share concerns, ideas and points of view that will help influence the design and implementation of strategies to build student success and support an equitable workplace for faculty and staff at BMCC.

Please select from the following focus groups:

BMCC Students Give Back on Spring Break
Close to 150 students volunteered in New York City at Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen and Casey Animal Rescue, as well as reading to children through the Pajama Program and cheering participants of a 5K to benefit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Ten students traveled to Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee, Florida (near Orlando), to inspire children with life-threatening illnesses staying there with their families.

VIDEO: BMCC Students Volunteer at Florida Non-Profit for Alternative Spring Break
BMCC students who took part in alternative spring break at Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee Florida, shared a multi-media presentation of their experiences May 1 at 199 Chambers Street. Ten students took part in the volunteer opportunity at the 84-acre, nonprofit resort that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families. Student participants included D’Llyna Adams, Dominick Allen, Shirley Alvarez, Cherise Calloway, Dennis Cobbina, Carolina Falconi, Eddy Fleurant, Linden Isles, Farah Jean-Julien and Shaina Vallejos.

BMCC Students to Present Poster at International Conference on AIDS Treatment
A research poster by two BMCC students, Claudia Melo and Nadjet Cornejal, has been accepted for presentation by the Adherence 2019 Conference of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, in Miami this June. Mentored by BMCC Science Professor José Fernández Romero, the students are assisting in research that investigates HIV interventions. "This is an important international gathering of scientists, physicians, public health professionals, educators and others to share findings related to HIV Treatment and Prevention Adherence," said Professor Fernández Romero. "Claudia and Nadjet will be in good company as they present their work as part of their internship at Population Council. This is a great opportunity for a scientist in the making."

BMCC Faculty Selected for William P. Kelly Fellowship
BMCC faculty members—Maureen Matarese (Academic Literacy and Linguistics), Katherine Conway (Business Management), Jun Liang (Science), Man Wai Alice Lun (Social Science, Human Services and Criminal Justice) and Sarah Haviland (Music and Art)—were selected from a pool of 52 applicants for the William P. Kelly Research Fellowship for the 2019-20 academic year. The five BMCC faculty are among 20 CUNY community college faculty who were selected for the award.

BMCC One of Five Community Colleges Nationwide Recognized for Entrepreneurship Program
BMCC was just one of five community colleges from across the country recognized as a College of Excellence by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)— the nation’s leading organization focused on promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges—at the 2019 American Association of Community College convention in April.  To be eligible for the award, college presidents must have signed NACCE’s President for Entrepreneurship Pledge (PFEP). NACCE initiated the PFEP to ignite positive change across campuses and in the classroom.  BMCC was selected for excellence in sharing stories through events or the media, one of the five action steps presidents and colleges are asked to commit to when signing the PFEP. On May 1, Interim BMCC President Karrin Wilks recognized Business Management Deputy Chairperson R. Shane Snipes for the achievement during a ceremony in Fiterman Hall.

BMCC Student Lands Cornell Tech Scholarship A BMCC student has received a Merit Scholarship Award from Cornell Tech in New York City. Non-degree student Karan Yang, who completed several prerequisite Computer Science courses while at BMCC, will begin her graduate studies at Cornell Tech in the fall 2019 semester.  She will be studying in the Technion-Cornell Dual Masters degrees in Connective Media program. While at BMCC, Yang conducted research on human-robot interactions using an NAO robot under the mentorship of Computer Information Systems Professor Mohamad Azhar. Yang used Python—an interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language—to design interactions between humans and the robot using sign language. “My research motivation is for people with disabilities, who may need our attention and special care,” Yang said.

Save the Date: 2019 BMCC Foundation Gala May 16
The BMCC Foundation 2019 Gala — Invest in a Future, Celebrate Success — is scheduled for May 16 at Cipriani, 25 Broadway in lower Manhattan. This year's honorees are Tim Gokey, President and CEO of Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc., and the Herbert and Audrey Rosenfield Fund. Special guest artist honoree is Ashley Bouder, Founder and Director, The Ashley Bouder Project and Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet. The Foundation is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of BMCC’s Out in Two Program with recognition of its visionary founder and former BMCC President, Dr. Antonio Pérez. The emcee is Baruch Shemtov of Fox 5 News. For more information, contact Tracie Basch at (646) 483-8018 or tracie@baschproductions.com.

BMCC Hosts 54th Commencement: May 31
On May 31, BMCC's 54th commencement will present two ceremonies at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden – one in the morning, and one in the afternoon. The 54th Commencement Presidential Medal honorees are Margaret Chin, Council member for the 1st District of the New York City Council (D) and Bill Fisse, Managing Director, Institutional Clients Group, Citi. The Morning Ceremony will feature Accounting, Business Management, Computer Information Systems, Teacher Education, English, Health Education, Mathematics, Media Arts and Technology, Science, Speech, Communications and Theatre Arts, Music and Art and Modern Languages majors. The Afternoon Ceremony will feature Liberal Arts, Allied Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice, and Nursing majors. For more information visit the BMCC website or call the Office of Student Affairs at (212) 220-8130.

Ceremony Recognizes Internship and Experiential Learning Community Partners
The BMCC Center for Career Development and the Office of Internships and Experiential Learning presented the first annual Recognition Ceremony May 2 in Fiterman Hall. Remarks were presented by Michael Hutmaker, Dean of Students; Driada Rivas, Interim Director of the Center for Career Development; and Sharon Reid, Director of the Office of internships and Experiential Learning. The ceremony recognized CUNY Service Corps, community members and employer partners, who provide students with numerous volunteer and internship opportunities throughout the year. The event also featured a networking reception.

Vice President for Administration and Planning Scott Anderson Announces Retirement After 25 Years of Service BMCC’s Vice President for Administration and Planning Scott Anderson has announced his retirement, effective July 1, 2019. Anderson has more than 40 years of professional experience in higher education administration in CUNY, at the campus and university levels. He joined the BMCC community in September of 1994 and has worked in the President’s Office, served as director of human resources, labor designee and dean for faculty and staff relations. Anderson has served as BMCC’s vice president of administration and planning since 2000. Anderson received his associate’s degree from Queensborough Community College, certificate of study from Ruskin College/Oxford, baccalaureate degree from Queens College and Master’s degree from Baruch College. On September 11, 2001 and the days following, Anderson played a key role in the recovery efforts, working with emergency officials to set up a command center at BMCC and in the rebuilding of Fiterman Hall, which had been destroyed. Anderson also served as a member of the BMCC Foundation Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

BMCC Hosts BARS, May 8
BMCC is hosting its Annual Research Symposium (BARS) on Wednesday, May 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in various rooms, located in the 199 Chambers Street Building. BARS highlights faculty mentored student research at BMCC across all academic disciplines. The event consists of morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session is comprised of an oral presentations and a faculty panel. The topic that will be discussed is “How to Implement Research in the Classroom.” The afternoon session consists of a poster session and keynote. Dr. Alison Dell from St. Francis College is the keynote speaker, and will discuss “Neuroscience from a Superfund site and breaking science out of the lab.” Oral presentations are scheduled from 10:45 a.m. to noon; and the poster symposium is scheduled from 1:15 to 5 p.m., in the BMCC Gymnasium. Register here. For more information email: bmccbars@gmail.com.

Call for Volunteers: Commencement Production Assistants BMCC staff members interested in serving as Production Assistants at the college's 54th Commencement Ceremonies on May 31 at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden are invited to RSVP online by April 26, selecting either a morning (8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) or afternoon (1:30 to 6:30 p.m.) shift. Production Assistant meetings will be held at 199 Chambers Street in Room N-451 on May 14 at 10 a.m., and May 16 at 2 p.m. For more information, contact Katherine Bedoya, kbedoya@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Emergency Funds Available to Students From Petrie Foundation
BMCC has received funds from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation to offer emergency grants to eligible students who are facing short-term emergencies. Please encourage students who can demonstrate need and who are facing an unexpected emergency to apply for the Petrie Grant. Applicants will be asked to complete certain requirements before they may be eligible to receive grant funding and all grant requests require documentation. While Petrie grants will not be given for tuition cost, college debts or legal representation, we encourage students to visit the Single Stop office to discuss their concerns. To find out more and to access the application, students may visit Single Stop online or stop by in Room S-230 at 199 Chambers Street.

BMCC Upgrades Charging Stations
BMCC has upgraded its charging stations at 199 Chambers Street to meet the needs of students, faculty and staff. As technology continues to evolve, more members of the BMCC community are highly dependent on communication by cell phones and tablets. BMCC’s upgraded charging stations have been placed at S-130A, N-450, N-430, N-466, N-480, S-530, S-533, N-561, N-580, N-598, S-613, N-662, N-679, N-698 and N-777. For more information, contact Information Resources and Technology, (212) 220-8360.

Save the Date: Service Awards Luncheon, June 12
Every year, BMCC honors civil service and classified staff employees in a luncheon recognizing years served. This year, the event will take place in Richard Harris Terrace at 199 Chambers Street. Stay tuned for details.

Guidelines for Posters and Flyers on Campus The Office of Public Affairs consults with BMCC departments, offices, faculty and staff to promote events and initiatives in an effective manner, reaching audiences on multiple platforms. Learn how to maximize college resources including the @BMCC e-newsletter, TV monitors, BMCC calendar and social media.

Summer 2019 STEM Tuition Waiver
BMCC is offering tuition waivers to eligible students who enroll in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) courses in Summer 2019. To be eligible, a student must be matriculated at BMCC, a New York City resident, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at the time the waivers are applied. For more information visit the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center, Room S-108, 199 Chambers Street, or email advisementandtransfer@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Faculty Invited to Participate in COACHE Job Satisfaction Survey
Full-time faculty are invited to participate in the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) job satisfaction survey. Data collected by COACHE gives voice to faculty about the successes and struggles of working in academia. By participating in the study, faculty will have an opportunity to share their perspective about working at BMCC and CUNY in a secure and confidential manner. Faculty will receive an email with a personalized link to the survey. For more information, visit the COACHE survey page.

Plaza Reconstruction Capital Project
As part of the upcoming Plaza Reconstruction project at BMCC, abatement of hazardous materials identified in the underlayment of the existing pavers will be performed at various phases of the construction project. This activity, which began January 21, is regulated by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, which ensures the safe and proper removal and disposal of these materials. Abatement notifications posted on all building entrances are part of these requirements and are there to inform the occupants of these activities. The required notices are not meant to alarm our building occupants, but to keep everyone informed that the work will be performed in a safe and regulated manner. We apologize for any inconvenience this upcoming construction may cause as we work to improve our facilities.

BMCC Website Faculty Pages Guide Available
The Office of Public Affairs has installed WordPress — a content management system which will make BMCC website use easier for faculty and staff — and is scheduling training sessions with liaisons from BMCC offices and departments on the use of this system. In addition, BMCC faculty can now access and update their Faculty Pages, using the Faculty Page Guide found on the BMCC Faculty and Staff Resource webpage. If you have questions, please call Manny Romero, Executive Director of Public Affairs, at (212) 220-1238.

Among the top majors by enrollment, the following majors showed the largest percentage change increases in fall 2018 compared to fall 2016:

More information on major enrollment trends can be found in the Enrollment, Retention, and Completion Report starting at page seven.

Summer and Fall 2019 Registration Is Open
Please encourage students to continue on their path to success and register for the summer and fall 2019 semesters. All students must meet with their advisor before registering. Students can register on CUNYfirst or visit Lab Services in Room S-114.

A few important dates:
Continuing Students Priority Registration Deadline – May 15
Continuing Students Advisement Deadline – June 17
In-Person Registration – Week of August 12
First Day of Fall 2019 Classes – August 27

For more information, visit the Registration page, contact Academic Advisement in Room S-108 or call (212) 220-8315.

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, check the Admissions website​, or contact the Admissions Office, (212) 220-1265.

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

New York foster care group tours BMCC
April 29—Staten Island Advance

University of Washington director of campus safety is former lieutenant at BMCC
April 28—The Ledger

Actress Jennifer Lawrence appears at Film Festival Talk at BMCC
April 29—Hollywood Reporter

Meet With a TIAA Representative on Campus Faculty and staff can schedule an appointment at BMCC with a representative from TIAA, now through June. For more information, call (800) 732-8353 or visit a session schedule.

Mandatory Workplace Violence Prevention Training: Online or Classroom Sessions
All BMCC faculty and staff must complete an annual Workplace Violence Prevention Training by registering through CUNY Blackboard. Part-time employees must complete the course by the end of the Spring 2019 semester; full-time employees by July 31. For more information, contact Maria Deckinger, mdeckinger@bmcc.cuny.edu or (212) 220-1496.

Deer Oaks EAP Now Offers Phone and Video Counseling
As part of BMCC's Employee Assistance Program, Deer Oaks offers video and structured telephonic counseling in addition to traditional in-person counseling service. Employees can schedule calls with a counselor in advance by calling (855) 492-3633 or emailing eap@deeroaks.com.

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 Human Resources, 199 Chambers Street, Room S-717.

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.

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).

Re-Entry/Entry Symposium: Pedagogy, Programs and Policies that Support and Sustain Justice-Involved CUNY Students
May 3

Applied Studies Recital
May 4

De-Stress Fest
May 6

String Chamber Orchestra Recital
May 6

	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

Make a Splash! Welcome to the Community Swim Program
The BMCC swimming pool has been renovated and is ready to welcome community swimmers, ages 18 and up. Lockers are available. Bring your own lock and towel. Entrances are at 199 Chambers Street and 77 Harrison Street. For fees and registration, contact the BMCC Athletic Department, (212) 220-8260 or the BMCC Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development, (212) 346-8410.

Certified Lifeguards Needed
If you are interesting in becoming a lifeguard at the BMCC swimming pool this summer, email a resume to Senior Lifeguard Judith Gamboa, judjud125@gmail.com. Lifeguards are required to have American Red Cross certification, to be First Aid/AED/CPR certified. Experience is preferred.

Spring 2019 Recreation Schedule
BMCC students, faculty and staff with current college ID are eligible to use the BMCC Fitness Center and pool for free. BMCC alumni can enjoy the free facilities with a BMCC Alumni Card. In addition to fitness machines and a pool, the BMCC Fitness Center offers Zumba classes and activities including badminton, tennis, half-court basketball and more.

Men's Baseball
May 3: BMCC vs. Monroe College (Bronx)
May 4: BMCC vs Monroe College (Bronx)

@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.