Sara Crosby, Director
Advisement focus: I am interested in anything that helps BLA students learn, engage, connect, graduate, and then go on to take over the world.
Education: The New School with a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) and University of Iowa with a B.A. in English and a minor in Italian
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Interests/What I’m usually up to: Birdwatching, reading, hanging out with my dog Andy, running, riding my bike around NYC
A quote that brightens my day is: “Freedom was a community laboring for something lovely and rare.”
― Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad
Michelle Almanzar, Academic Advisor
Advisement focus: Holistic Advising: I am passionate about enhancing students’ learning through focusing on building relationships with students and helping them achieve their academic and personal growth.
Education: The City College of New York with a B.A in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. I am currently pursuing a MSEd in Higher Education Administration at Baruch College.
Hometown: East Harlem, New York
Interests/What I’m usually up to: Reading, painting, going to Broadway plays, riding a city bike and spending time with my cat named Paris.
A quote that brightens my day is: “Follow your passion. It will lead you to your purpose.” – Oprah Winfrey
Kamilah Bass, Administrative Coordinator
Education: CUNY School of Professional Studies with an M.A. in Youth Studies and Syracuse University with a B.S. in Speech Communication and a minor of Child and Family Studies
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Interests/What I’m usually up to: Listening to music (singing & humming along), eating/snacking, and doing 1000+ piece jigsaw puzzles
A quote that brightens my day is: “Spread Love, It’s the Brooklyn Way”
― The Notorious B.I.G.
Melanie Bonilla, Senior Academic Advisor
Advisement focus: Appreciative Advising is my jam.
Education: LIU: Hudson with an M.S. in Bilingual School Counseling and SUNY Purchase College with a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology
Hometown: East Village, New York
Interests/What I’m usually up to: Playing basketball and reading to my pup, Jax
A quote that brightens my day is: Act as if what you do makes a difference because it does.
Nancy Cortes, Academic Advisor
Email: ncortes@bmcc.cuny.edu
Advisement focus: Academic self-empowerment and self-advocacy
Education: Borough of Manhattan Community College with an Associates in Liberal Arts, and City College with a B.A. in Political Science.
Hometown: East Harlem, NY
Interests/What I’m usually up to: Watching movies, reading, hanging out with family and friends, strolling around my neighborhood, taking pictures, and trying new food around NYC!
A quote that brightens my day is: “Whatever you do in life will be insignificant, but it’s very important that you do it…”
― Ghandi
John Huie, Early Alert Specialist
Education: Fordham University with a B.A. in Information Science
Hometown: Queens, New York
Interests/What I’m usually up to: Competitive Paintball, Photography, Technology
Tommy Leung, Academic Advisor
Call/Text: (212) 346-8873
Advisement focus: Student centered
I am an Alumna of: Brooklyn College with a M.A. in Secondary Education
My hometown is: Brooklyn, NY
Interests/What I’m usually up to: Cars, cats, and video games
A quote that brightens my day is: “Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.” —Mark Twain
James Nadeau, Associate Director of Enrollment and Engagement
Advisement focus: I believe each student is a unique individual, and I prefer to get to know my students and what makes them tick. I am particularly passionate about transfer guidance and career development, and love helping my students work toward a future that is fulfilling.
Education: Bowdoin College with a B.A. in Government and Legal Studies and Teachers College, Columbia with an M.A. in Higher and Postsecondary Education
Hometown: Leominster, MA
Interests/What I’m usually up to: Reading, running, hiking, kayaking
A quote that brightens my day is: “And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul.” ― John Muir
Ashley Wright, Academic Advisor
Advisement focus: Ensuring students reach/exceed their academic goals all whilst staying on the path to becoming a well-rounded individual.
Education: Brooklyn College with a B.A. in Communication
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Interests/What I’m usually up to: I enjoy binging a good show or watching movies, reading an interesting book and trying new foods.
A quote that brightens my day is: We don’t laugh because we’re happy, we’re happy because we laugh.” – William James
Christopher A. York, Academic Advisor
Advisement focus: I believe in excellent and holistic support to students. I am constantly seeking new ways to know what students need and to communicate their next steps effectively. Each year, I anticipate being able to meet a new group of students and see them succeed.
Education: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Hometown: Bowie, MD
Interests/What I’m usually up to: Running and piano
A quote that brightens my day is: “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” ~Solomon~
BMCC Learning Academy
70 Murray Street, Room M-1413
New York, NY 10007
Email: bmccla@bmcc.cuny.edu
Phone: (212) 346-8640
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
