Outstanding Staff Recognized in Annual Celebration

The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) Employee Appreciation Awards were held Friday, June 5 in a lively online presentation that featured videos, photographs and even a few surprises. The event celebrated staff members who have gone above and beyond their duties to enhance the work environment at BMCC, and to further BMCC’s mission of equity and providing a quality education for all students.

To watch a recording of the live-streamed event, click here.

BMCC Interim President Karrin E. Wilks spoke at the ceremony, acknowledging the unique circumstances surrounding this year’s event, held virtually while the campus operates on a distance format in response to the corona pandemic.

“As always, I hope you and your families are staying safe and strong,” said Wilks. “We have lost members of our community to the virus and many more have lost family and friends. We stand together to honor them, and to care for each other, and to take the time to celebrate and be grateful.”

The BMCC community is traveling through unprecedented times, Wilks said. “After rapidly and dramatically changing the way we work and live, I want to thank you all for your strength and resiliency and unwavering dedication to our mission and to our students. We have proven that we can rise up and come together as a community and that community will keep us strong. So, while we are recognizing individual employees and teams today, we are first and foremost recognizing and celebrating all BMCC employees and all BMCC teams. I have been inspired by the level of connection and engagement and care that have been sustained, even from a distance. Truly, you are all award winners.”

Nominees for the Employee Recognition Awards are full- and part-time administrative, support and service staff members. These include Civil Service employees, College Assistants, Research Foundation employees, Gittleson (COA, CSA, CAA) staff members and those who hold HEO positions at the college.

The 2019/2020 Employee Recognition Award winners include:

Inspiration Award

Christopher Rafinski, BMCC Learning Academy

Enkelejda Saqe, Science Department

Innovation/Technology Award

Anh Trieu, Financial Aid

Leadership Award

Carei Thomas, Academic Advisement and Transfer Center

Rookie of the Year

Dakota Olson, Athletics and Recreation

Team Achievement Award

Academic Advisement and Transfer Center

The award committee, selected by the cabinet of BMCC Interim President Karrin E. Wilks, was co-chaired by Bryan T. Dowling and Joseph Picataggio.

“The Employee Appreciation committee is one of the best committees I’ve ever been a part of,” said Dowling. “Everyone is happy to be in meetings and do the work, knowing how important the awards are to the BMCC community. It felt particularly rewarding this year, given the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in. We look forward to celebrating with everyone in person, when that is possible.”

The committee members include Cicely Acosta, Nandrani Algu, Beth Cooperman, Onika Duke, Jose Flores, Annette Maccarone, Loriann Mazzola, Thierry Thesatus and Carmel Urbaez.

Public Affairs Executive Director Manny Romero provided guidance to the committee, and emceed the awards ceremony.

Awards recognize a wide range of talent

The Employee Recognition Awards cover an expansive range of talent for staff who exemplify qualities the college values.

The Leadership Award recognizes how the nominee helps BMCC meet its strategic initiatives. This person performs beyond the scope of their position at BMCC and they are an outstanding example of leadership and effectiveness.

The Inspiration Award recognizes how the nominee inspires others in the BMCC community to perform at a high level. This nominee shares talent, creativity and special skills to connect departments at the college, or connect the college to larger communities. They also improve the climate or morale of the college through their volunteer efforts and more.

The Innovation/Technology Award recognizes how the nominee develops new processes or technologies at the college. This person demonstrates outstanding creativity in addressing challenges as they work to further BMCC’s mission. The nominee’s contribution at BMCC enhances work-life quality for colleagues or students, and enables departments to be more effective.

The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes a nominee who has been working at BMCC for no less than six months and no more than two years in their current title. This person demonstrates outstanding enthusiasm, initiative and maintains effective collegial interactions when facing new or difficult tasks. They also contribute innovative ideas to their team.

The Team Achievement Award recognizes outstanding leadership through teamwork by a BMCC office, department, committee, team, working group, unit or division. The winning team enhances the College’s mission, demonstrates collaboration across campus and exemplifies outstanding service.

Nominations can be submitted online by the nominee’s direct supervisor or by any BMCC faculty, staff or student. The nomination period for the 2020-2021 academic year will be announced at a later time.

To read more about the 2019-2020 nominees and winners, click here.