Since assuming the presidency of Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) in September 2020, President Anthony E. Munroe has spearheaded dynamic growth and innovation, focusing on building equity and inclusion, addressing student basic needs, and expanding academic and career opportunities for its diverse student body. His leadership has been marked by a firm commitment to fostering a supportive and empowering environment where all students can thrive. One of President Munroe’s first actions was establishing the Race, Equity and Inclusion (REI) Steering Committee, an advisory body tasked with examining and addressing systemic barriers hindering student success. In addition, President Munroe launched the President’s Fund for Excellence and Innovation, which is designed to fuel student engagement and promote open dialogue—vital to the core mission of BMCC.
Under President Munroe’s leadership, BMCC has seen positive trends in student retention and graduation rates, achieved through targeted support programs, enhanced advising services, and a focus on student well-being. He has also prioritized fundraising and grant acquisition, resulting in increased funding for student scholarships, upgraded facilities, and expanded academic programs. Notably, the College was one of only four nationally recognized institutions of higher education to receive a $1 million matching grant from CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), bolstering its global learning and internship opportunities for students to study abroad in locations like Seville, Spain; Kyoto, Japan; Paris, France; London, England; and Cape Town, South Africa.
Further highlighting his dedication to advancing higher education on a national and international scale, President Munroe serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Community Colleges for International Development and is a member of the Board of Directors of Hispanic Educational Technology Services. He also serves on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and on the Steering Committee of the Presidents’ Alliance for Higher Education and Immigration.
President Munroe’s advocacy has garnered numerous accolades, including recognition as a Power Player in Education by PoliticsNY, inclusion in City & State’s Higher Education Power 100 and Manhattan Power 100 lists, recognition in amNY Metro and Politics’ Black Power Players list and Power Players in Education list, participation in the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program Presidents Fellowship, and receipt of a Caribbean Impact Award from Schneps Media, a Crain’s New York Business Notable Black Leaders recognition, a Heritage Award from the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York, and a Paragon Award for New Presidents from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
To enhance opportunities for BMCC graduates, President Munroe has cultivated strategic partnerships with Morehouse College, Columbia University School of General Studies, Baruch College, CUNY, University at Albany, SUNY, Aspen Transfer Scholars Network, and many other institutions. These partnerships streamline the transfer process and provide BMCC students with clear pathways to pursuing bachelor’s degrees.
As an international expert on disparities in health care, President Munroe has actively participated in events such as the 2022 International Conference of the Health, Wellness & Society at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, further enriching the College’s scholarly environment.
President Munroe brought a wealth of experience to BMCC, having previously served as president of Essex County College, New Jersey, and Malcolm X College of the City Colleges of Chicago system. His prior executive leadership roles within large healthcare systems, including as president of three hospitals and as executive director of organizations like Family Health Services in the NYC Department of Health, provided him with a unique perspective on the social determinants of health and the importance of community-based solutions.
Named one of the top 25 minority health care executives in the U.S. by Modern Healthcare Magazine, President Munroe’s journey is deeply rooted in the communities he serves. As a first-generation U.S. citizen raised in the Bronx and educated in NYC public schools, he understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing BMCC students. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and both a Master of Public Health and a Doctorate in Education with a concentration in health education from Columbia University, Teachers College.
