BMCC Partners with NYC High Schools to Create Associate Degree Pathway

A joint effort between the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) Office of Academic Affairs and Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development has resulted in a partnership between BMCC and the New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) that will serve the students of 30 Career and Technical Education (CTE) high schools throughout all five boroughs.

In short, high school students will have the opportunity to gain stackable credits that can be applied toward an Associate in Applied Science degree in Computer Network Technology at BMCC.

The partnership was recognized at a breakfast meeting in the Fiterman Hall Conference Center at BMCC on March 27. High school staff and principals, as well as representatives from the NYC DOE Office of Career and Technical Education were in attendance, and met with BMCC administrators, staff and faculty. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the principals of participating high schools, and a brief speaker program was introduced by Erwin Wong, Dean of Academic Programs and Instruction at BMCC.

“This partnership reflects BMCC’s strategic goal to strengthen the college readiness of our students and build access to careers that will widen their opportunities in the 21^st-century economy, as well as reflect workforce trends,” said Dean Wong. “We are starting by linking CTE students with IT careers through our Computer Information Systems department; specifically, through our Associate degree program in Computer Network Technology. We are also looking at other degree programs at BMCC that could benefit students of New York’s career-centered high schools and speak to their career aspirations and strengths.”

“We are excited to move forward with this inaugural partnership and expand the pipeline for New York City CTE students to gain access to higher education at BMCC and CUNY,” said John Widlund, Executive Director of Career and Technical Education, NYC DOE. “College isn’t just in our kids’ futures; it’s now. By creating a credentialed pathway to an Associate in Applied Science degree in Computer Network Technology at BMCC, we are providing our students with the tools to thrive in high-demand careers that meet their interests and goals. We look forward to joining with BMCC as we guide our ambitious and hard-working students on that pathway, and help them access academic programs as well as the admissions and support services available to help ensure their success at BMCC.”

A group effort

Sunil Gupta, Dean of the Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development at BMCC, spoke at the MOU event about the genesis of the partnership, “which took place almost a year ago when I was introduced to John Widlund at the Department of Education by one of our corporate partners at CISCO Systems, Inc., Marie Zwickert.”

In subsequent meetings and discussions with Dean Erwin Wong; BMCC Computer Information Systems Department Chair Don Wei; DOE Senior Director of Industry Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Harini Venkatesh and others, Dean Gupta says, “We focused on creating this Career Pathways Initiative with stackable credentials that build a credit-articulation toward a BMCC major while providing individuals with in-demand skills, making them viable in the workforce.”

Janice Zummo, Assistant Dean for Academic Support Services at BMCC, spoke about services and programs at BMCC that support students in their transition to college, including the BMCC Immersion Programs.

“We work to improve college readiness wherever we can, including the support we provide even before they enroll at BMCC,” said Dean Zummo. “The Immersion courses are free, and they prepare students for the level of work that will be expected of them in college. Immersion programs take place in the beginning of the fall and spring semesters as well as during mid-semester. This summer, there will also be a Fit for College program to support students entering BMCC in the fall.”

Services for college readiness and enrollment support

Peter Williams, Director of College Now at BMCC, spoke about that program’s role in building “not just college readiness, but the college awareness of high school students.” Computer Information Systems Chairperson Ching-Song (Don) Wei and Professor Mohammad Azhar spoke briefly about the academic program that this first wave of CTE students will be prepared to enter.

“Students will receive in-depth instruction in operating systems concepts, telecommunication networks and network Security,” said Chairperson Wei. “Graduates of the program will be prepared for entry-level jobs as IT technicians, or for transfer to a bachelor’s degree program to continue their higher education.”

Diane K. Walleser, BMCC Vice President for Enrollment Management, talked about the college’s function to connect students with services and enroll in classes. “We want to connect directly with you, at the high schools themselves, to bring your students on board and ensure their smooth transition to BMCC with the right academic services, financial aid, scholarship opportunities and other resources. We look forward to welcoming New York City’s CTE students to our college and helping them be successful in reaching their goals.”

Lisa Kasper, Director of Admissions and Outreach out of the BMCC Office of Enrollment Management, also spoke about onboarding services at BMCC. “More than 700 prospective students, their families and friends attended our last BMCC Admissions Open House,” she said. “We had representatives from a wide range of support services, as well as professors ready to share information about their degree major, on hand to talk to the attendees. There is a large and diverse community at BMCC ready to meet new and prospective students.”

The BMCC/DOE CTE partnership is slated to start in Fall 2019. For more information, contact Dean Erwin Wong, ewong@bmcc.cuny.edu or Dean Sunil Gupta, sbgupta@bmcc.cuny.edu.