Dear BMCC Community,
I am writing to inform you about an important development within our institution. After four decades of dedicated service, Dr. Erwin J. Wong, our esteemed Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, has made the decision to retire.
Provost Wong’s journey with BMCC began in 1984 as a tenure track assistant professor in the English Department. Over the years, he climbed the ranks, earning tenure, advancing to associate professor, then full professor, and served as the Deputy Chairperson of the English Department.
Provost Wong’s contributions to BMCC have been invaluable, and his leadership has left a lasting impact on our institution. Before assuming his current role of Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2021, he held various leadership positions, including Acting Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Acting Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, and Dean of Academic Programs and Instruction. His dedication and commitment to academic excellence have been instrumental in shaping the success of our college. During his administrative tenure at BMCC, in collaboration with administrators, faculty and staff, he more than tripled the College’s combined number of academic programs and certificate offerings, from twenty when he first came on board as the Acting Associate Dean to over 66, with Data Science being one of the more recently registered associate degrees; he secured over 400 articulation agreements; he helped create the Teacher Education Department and the Department of Ethnic and Race Studies; and he implemented the College’s Evening/Weekend and Off-Site Program and the Pathways to Degree Completion Initiative.
As we prepare to bid farewell to Provost Wong, I ask each of you to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for his service and dedication to BMCC. His legacy will forever be a part of our college community.
In the interim, as we begin our search to fill this critical role, Dr. Liesl Jones, our Associate Provost, will step in as Acting Provost until further notice. I urge all members of our community to extend their assistance and support to Dr. Liesl Jones during this transitional period.
Together, let us ensure a smooth transition and continue our commitment to academic excellence at BMCC. Thank you for your attention and support as we navigate this transition.
Sincerely,
Anthony E. Munroe
President, Borough of Manhattan Community College
