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May 4, 2017 FacebookTwitterInstagram
@BMCC
News
Gala Real Estate and Banking Leaders, and Award-Winning Songwriters to be Honored at "Invest in a Future" Gala, May 18
BMCC and the BMCC Foundation will host the 2017 Gala, “Invest in a Future,” with proceeds benefiting the BMCC Scholarship Fund. The evening's Honorees are Carol Britton, Chief Operating Officer for Corporate Services at BNY Mellon, and Jeffrey Gural, Chairman of Newmark Knight Frank. Special Guest Star Honorees are Oscar® and Grammy® winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Cindy Hsu, an Emmy Award-winning anchor and reporter at CBS 2 News, will be the emcee. Tickets are $300 for BMCC faculty, staff and recent alumni (2007–2016). For more information, to purchase a ticket or reserve a table, please contact the BMCC Office of Development at (212) 220-8020 or click HERE.
Commencement

Valedictorians Announced for 52nd Commencement, the Largest in the College's History 
BMCC morning and afternoon Commencement ceremonies will be held at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza in Manhattan on June 2. The morning Commencement Valedictorian is Computer Science major Olasubomi Ayomide Efuniyi, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the BMCC Student Government Association. He is also a research assistant under the NYC Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology program. The afternoon Commencement Valedictorian, Paulina Malinowska, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, secretary of the BMCC Psychology Club, a research member of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program, and an Out-in-Two Scholar.

Small Business

BMCC Showcases Small Business and Entrepreneur Program at Eleventh Annual Summit
BMCC students, faculty and staff filled Richard Harris Terrace Tuesday May 2 for the 11th annual Entrepreneurial Summit. The BMCC Small Business and Entrepreneurship program, BMCC Student Business Enterprise club and Student Government Association hosted the event, in which students engaged with speakers and panelists. BMCC’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship program is coordinated by Professor Shane Snipes, who says it provides students with the skill set to think like an entrepreneur, “even if they work for a company besides their own,” Business Management Chair Mahatapa Palit says the program has evolved to include class offerings such as e-retailing and other additions that reflect NYC’s small business landscape.

Faculty and Staff

Faculty and Staff Recognized for Serving up to 50 Years at BMCC
A reception honoring faculty and staff who have worked at BMCC for up to 50 years was held May 4 in the Fiterman Hall Conference Center.  

College Respiratory Program Earns National Recognition
The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) recently presented the prestigious Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award to BMCC’s Respiratory Therapy (RT) Program. The RRT credential reflects a program’s success in inspiring its graduates to achieve their highest educational and professional aspirations. Having met a rigorous battery of criteria focused on key accreditation metrics, the BMCC RT Program will be presented with a certificate of recognition on June 25, during the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Summer Forum in Tucson, Arizona.

Codes

BMCC Students Debut Apps at #CUNYCodes Event
On April 27 in Fiterman Hall, 13 BMCC students demonstrated software applications and systems they designed during the 10-week #CUNYCodes program, run by the CUNY Office of Continuing Education and Workforce. The BMCC students were the program’s first community college participants and developed apps and games including “Scale,” an app that gives users financial freedom through the support of a community; CityBike Track, an app that alerts riders when they are out of time on a Citi Bike and Hoppzie, a game inspired by the ‘90s Tamagotchi craze. The BMCC Media Arts and Technology department along with the Office of Internships and Experiential Learning announced that BMCC will run the #CUNYCodes again in Fall 2017. Students interested in applying should contact experience@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Southwell BMCC Hires Deanne Southwell as new ASAP Executive Director
BMCC welcomes Deanne Southwell as the new Executive Director of Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP). Southwell earned a Doctorate of Education from Fordham University, a Master’s in Student Development Practice in Higher Education from St. John’s University and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from St. John’s University — all summa cum laude. She has 15 years of experience in higher education that includes managing areas of academic support services and student affairs. Prior to joining BMCC, Southwell cultivated a flourishing career at St. John’s University, most recently as Executive Director of the Vincentian Institute for Social Action and earlier as Director of the Ozanam Scholars Program, Director of Student Development and Assistant Director of the University Freshman Center. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work for an institution renowned for its high standards and commitment to student development,” said Southwell. "I look forward to working at BMCC and learning how my experiences can contribute to its continued success." ASAP is supported by the City and State of New York, the Robin Hood Foundation, and the Stella and Charles Guttman Foundation. ASAP is designed to help motivated students earn their Associate degree as quickly as possible, with a goal of graduating at least 50% of students within three years or less.
Wade Deputy Director Joins Office of Compliance and Diversity
Theresa Wade, Esq. has been hired as the Deputy Director of Diversity and Title IX Compliance in the Office of Compliance and Diversity. Wade brings expertise in employment law, education law, internal investigations, and Title IX compliance. She will assist Odelia Levy, Chief Diversity Officer and Special Advisor to the President, in the Office of Compliance and Diversity with investigations of unlawful discrimination and harassment, including Title IX/Enough is Enough. She will also charge search committees, and provide training and guidance in the areas of equal employment opportunity, unlawful discrimination and harassment, and reasonable accommodations. For the past four years, Wade worked for the NYC Department of Education in various roles, most recently as Diversity Management Unit Chief in the Office of Equal Opportunity. Prior to her tenure at DOE, Wade worked as an attorney in private practice, where she specialized in employment discrimination litigation. She has a strong background in Title VII, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state and local non-discrimination laws and holds a J.D. from New York Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from SUNY Binghamton.
Announcements
Middle States Town Hall Meeting

BMCC Community Invited to Middle States Town Hall Meeting
On May 9 in Theatre 2 at 199 Chambers Street, BMCC will host its second Middle States Town Hall to update students, faculty and staff on the status of the college’s Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) institutional self-study. Seven Standards Working Groups will present updates, followed by Q and A sessions. There will be a raffle and more. For more information, contact Christopher Shults, Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning, cshults@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Distinguished Teaching

Distinguished Teaching Award Winners Reception, May 4
Winners of the 2017 BMCC Distinguished Teaching Award will be honored at a ceremony and reception, Thursday May 4, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Shirley Fiterman Art Center. This year’s winners are Rosalie Gleicher, Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice; Geoffrey Klock, English; Matthew Marcus, Academic Literacy and Linguistics and Brett Sims, Mathematics. “These distinguished teachers inspire their students and their colleagues every day,” said Senior Vice President and Provost Karrin E. Wilks. All members of the BMCC community are invited to attend the ceremony.

CUE

BMCC Hosts CUNY CUE Conference May 5
The CUNY Coordinated Undergraduate Education (CUE) Conference 2017, “Accelerating Progress, Accelerating Equity: Improving Student Success in Developmental and Gateway Courses,” will be held at BMCC on May 5 with speakers, panels and breakout sessions. Keynote speaker Katie Hern, Director of The California Acceleration Project, will present a talk, “Improving Completion and Equity in Developmental and Gateway English and Math.” Steve Hinds, Director of the Chicago-based group, Active Learning in Adult Numeracy and Mathematics, will lead a plenary, “Active Learning Pedagogy for Developmental and Gateway Algebra.” For more details click HERE or contact Janice Zummo, Assistant Dean for Academic Support Services, jzummo@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Leiderabend

Free Concert: A Leiderabend in the Afternoon
Four BMCC Music and Art faculty members: Bethany Rogers (soprano); Rosemary George (mezzo-soprano); John Uehlein (baritone) and Howard Meltzer (piano, and Department Chair), will present a musical program, "A Liederabend in the Afternoon,” on Saturday, May 13 at 1 p.m. in the Shirley Fiterman Art Center. The concert will include 19th-century German art songs, or “lieder,” by Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner, Hugo Wolf and Gustav Mahler. Admission is free.

Pinning BMCC Nursing Graduates Recognized in Pinning Ceremony
The BMCC community is invited to cheer on graduates of the BMCC Nursing Department as they cross the stage in Theatre 1 at 199 Chambers Street on Wednesday, May 31 at 11 a.m. The Pinning Ceremony honors those who have successfully completed the rigorous Nursing program at BMCC, which provides courses in medical-surgical care, psychiatric nursing care, anatomy and other areas. The students also complete clinical rotations, working side-by-side with nurses, doctors, and medical students at public and private hospitals throughout New York City. Graduates earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing, and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (RNs).
Lost Jazz Shrines 2017

BMCC TPAC Presents Lost Jazz Shrines 2017 and Free Panel
On Friday, May 19 at 8:30 p.m. the Lost Jazz Shrines series out of the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center will celebrate the legacy of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and Mikell’s Jazz Club. The concert will be preceded by a free panel at 7:00 p.m., featuring a conversation with BMCC TPAC Musical Director Bobby Watson and Artistic Director of Jazz Programming Willard Jenkins. Tickets are $30 for the concert and can be purchased by calling Ticketing Services at (212) 220-1460 or www.tribecapac.org.

Guardian Life Insurance of America Attends Business Class Panel Presentation
Since Fall 2015, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America has funded a free personal finance course at BMCC, and students who successfully complete the class are eligible to apply for Guardian’s prestigious summer internship program. “We want more students to take advantage of the opportunity to take this class and learn more about their personal finance decisions, especially as they pertain to areas such as maintaining credit, buying a car or home, managing an IRA and retirement planning,” says Shirley Zaragoza, Deputy Chairman of the Business Management Department who teaches the class. “What I have found is that every student who has taken this course has found it beneficial. Some get financial guidance from their support system and families, but many of our students need mentoring in this area.” As the class ends each semester, the students make presentations for a panel of Guardian representatives, and this semester on May 17, the Guardian corporate communications team will visit. “In about ten days we should know who will be selected for the summer internships,” says Zaragoza, who adds that four BMCC students were Guardian interns last summer.

BMCC’S First Modern Language Majors Celebrate Graduation
On May 3, the Modern Language Department held a congratulatory celebration for the college’s first Modern Language graduates in its office at 199 Chamber Street. Congratulations to Diagna Camilo, Fiona Laing, Ana Mendoza, Sayri Nataren and Carla Rivadeneira. “These five students have worked very hard on their studies,” said Modern Languages Professor Evelin Gamarra Martinez. “As a department, we feel great. They will be wonderful representatives of BMCC.” So far, Fiona and Carla will be attending Hunter College and Diagna will be attending Lehman College with a Guttman Transfer Scholarship.

Making Headlines

BMCC students participate in Governor’s Tech Challenge
April 27, 2017 — Long Island Weekly

Nabil Viñas, actor, artist and BMCC alumnus profiled
April 26, 2017 — Manhattan Times

BMCC cited for sustainability efforts in article about conservation in New York State
May 1, 2017 — Environmental Leader

BMCC alumnus Jeremiah Perez-Torres receives SUNY Chancellor’s Award
May 3, 2017 — Buffalo State Public Affairs

BMCC Health Education Professor Sophia Aidiniou profiled
May 2, 2017 — Campus News

Human Resources
TIAA TIAA on Campus
BMCC employees can meet on campus with a TIAA counselor May 18, May 31, June 14, June 29, July 12, Aug. 10, Sept. 18, Sept. 29, Oct. 13, Oct. 30 and Nov. 14. Please RSVP online or by calling (800) 732-8353, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

CUNY Updates Notice of Non-Discrimination
The CUNY Notice of Non-Discrimination has been updated and posted on several pages in the BMCC website including the Office of Compliance and Diversity webpage. For more information, contact Odelia Levy at olevy@bmcc.cuny.edu or (212) 220-1236.

Alumni and Donors

Help Make a Difference
The BMCC Faculty/Staff campaign provides scholarship and emergency support to BMCC students, 90% of whom need financial assistance to reach their educational goals. By donating just $25 to $100, you can help the college raise over $80,000 for students. Here are three ways to give:

  • Make a donation online.
  • Text your donation to BMCC at (646) 876-2622.
  • Send your check, payable to the BMCC Foundation, via interoffice mail to the Office of College Development, F1330. (Please note, you can designate your donation to your department.)
Calendar
New Faculty Publication

New Faculty Publication Event: Victorian Dogs, Victorian Men
May 5

Government and Political Internships Info Session 
May 8

Rising Above Racism and Discrimination
May 9

BMCC Music Students Recital
May 10

TPAC

BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center Listings

Career

Center for Career Development Events

CETLS

Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship Events

CONED

Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development Events

 

Panther Pride
Panthers

Fullerton Earns NJCAA All-American Nod After Record-Setting Freshman Season

Kingsborough Wave Rolls Over Panthers in Series Finale

Recreation Schedule Through May 25

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