BMCC held its New Student Assembly for 1,000 Freshmen and Transfer students last week. The students filled Theatre 1 and listened to a wide array of information from members of the administration and the president of the Student Government Association.
After a morning session, the students proceeded to engage in small group discussions about departmental offerings and career opportunities.
The first speaker of the day was Dr. Marva Craig, Associate Dean of Students, who welcomed the new students to BMCC, “the premier urban community college.” Dean Craig wanted the students to know that they were new members of “the BMCC family,” and as such would be members of the family beyond graduation.” She urged students to avail themselves of the services of the college because those “services will assist your development, while increasing your ability to avoid roadblocks in your ability to learn.”
The next speaker of the morning was Senior Vice President, Sadie Bragg, who spoke about the role of the BMCC faculty in providing a quality teaching and learning experience. Vice President Bragg said, “We have more than 1,000 faculty members who are eager to work with you and whose sole purpose at BMCC is to be the best teachers they can be in order to make you successful.”
Dr. Michael Haynes, Vice President of Student Affairs spoke to the students about the importance using the Student Handbook to find all the services that the college provides. He added that BMCC has up to $ 1 million in scholarship funds on an annual basis and that “each one of you has an opportunity to go after that funding.” He ended with a punch line, “No one’s name is on the money, but yours can.”
Krystal Garner, the President of the Student Government challenged the students to get involved and engaged in extra-curricular activities as part of their college experience. As an example, Ms. Garner spoke about the 33 students and three faculty members who traveled to New Orleans to assist in repairing parts of the city that were ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.
At the end of the day, the students participated in the Student Services Expo and a reception on the third floor lobby and the Faculty Dining Room.
