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August 25, 2016 FacebookTwitterInstagram
@BMCC
News
First Day of Class

BMCC Students Ready for 2016 Fall Semester
New and returning students filled hallways and classrooms on the first day of the Fall 2016 semester at BMCC. Throughout campus, the floors have been freshly waxed and everything has been cleaned for the onslaught of learning activity.

SUNY MEOC Award

SUNY MEOC Awarded more than $1 Million to Guide Students Through Academic Pipeline
The State University of New York, Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center (SUNY MEOC), which is administered by BMCC and located on 125th Street in East Harlem, received a five-year renewal of its funding from the Federal TRIO Programs of the U.S. Department of Education. SUNY MEOC will be awarded $1,184,480 from September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2021, and serve 5,000 participants — low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities — as they progress through the academic pipeline. Francisco de la Cruz — a BMCC Liberal Arts major who grew up in Mexico City and aspires to become an emergency room nurse — sought guidance and assistance from the TRIO program at SUNY MEOC as he navigated his way through ESL and developmental education, entered BMCC, was accepted at Lehman College and zeroed in on his goal.

CCRG

Professors' Grant-Funded Research Projects Examine Curriculum, Pedagogy and Mobile Navigation
Recently, BMCC professors received a total of $37,500 in support of research projects through the CUNY Community College Research Grant (CCCRG) The grants foster interdisciplinary collaboration for the funding period September 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Principal Investigator Lesley Rennis, Professor and Chairperson, Health Education, will work with Precious Sellars-Mulhern, Faculty, Counseling Center on the project, Mindfulness Across the Curriculum: Exploring the Role of Contemplative Practices in Teaching and Learning. Principal Investigator Gloria McNamara, Assistant Professor, Health Education, will work with Ronald Clare, Jr., Faculty, Business Management, on the project, Health Education through Entrepreneurship Pedagogy. Principal Investigator Hao Tang, Professor, Computer Information Systems, will work on the project, Mobile Indoor Navigation for the Blind.

Faculty Awarded PSC-CUNY Grants
Thirty-six BMCC professors from more than a dozen disciplines have received a total of $160,939 in Professional Staff Congress (PSC)-CUNY Research Awards to further their research projects in the July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017 cycle. Traditional-A Awards provide up to $3,500, while Traditional-B Awards range from $3,600 to $6,000, and Enhanced Awards are $6,500 to $12,000. The Enhanced Awardees are Professors Kwasi Konadu and Meryem Zaman. The Traditional-A Awardees are Professors David Bahr, Christa Baiada, Shoba Bandi-Rao, Tracy Bealer, Mario Benavides, Simon Carr, Rachel Corkle, Maria de los Angeles Donoso Macaya, Lisa Grace, Ozgur Ecevit, Hardaye Hansen, Rebecca Johnson, Orlando Justo, Adele Kudish, Ling Luo, Quinn Minor, Abel Navarro, Brian Rafferty, Khushmand Rajendran, Jill Strauss, Kibrewossen Tesfagiorgis, Shalva Tsiklauri, Janice Walters, Michelle Wang and Shengkun Zhang. The Traditional-B Awardees are Professors Daniel DePaulo, Cheryl Fish, Cara Kronen, Joyce Moorman, Marjan Persuh, Rochelle Rives, Lisa Sarti, Yuliya Shneyderman and Jaewoo Lee.

CRSP

BMCC Students Showcase Research at CRSP Symposium
Eighteen BMCC students participated in the second annual CUNY Research Scholars Program (CRSP) Symposium at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, on July 27. The CRSP funds one-year research scholarships for associate degree-seeking students at CUNY community colleges as well as students from three CUNY comprehensive schools. Each student receives a $5,000 stipend and conducts research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. Helene Bach, Director of Research at BMCC, said the program is a stepping-stone to a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) research, and Ron J. Nerio, CRSP Co-Director said, “BMCC is one of the most participatory schools. BMCC students have an outstanding commitment to research and this program.” BMCC’s 2016 CRSP scholars are Molly Caperna, Mark Collison, Lionel Colon, Emmanuel Delgado, Aurela Dragoni, Fatine Elakramine, Rahman Farhana, Hilario Garcia, Imani Garriga, Dinara Guliyeva, Ted Hadges, Jeong Heon Kim, Youxi Li, Dominka Palinko, Shelia Sarkar, Shivron Sugrim, Norbu Tsering, Madhyama Vijayalakshman, Ziu Wing, Michelle Lo and Huang Zo.

IAB

BMCC Partners with IAB Education Foundation to Offer Digital Training Course
The Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development at BMCC has partnered with IAB Education Foundation and its iDiverse initiative to offer a free digital training course to prepare students for entry-level jobs in the digital media and marketing industry. IDiverse will cover the students’ tuition fees, and connect them to potential employers. Students who successfully complete the semester-long, non-credit course, expected to launch in early 2017, will also qualify to take the IAB Entry-Level Digital Advertising Certification Exam, a critical industry credential. “Through this course, we are providing a wide range of students from diverse backgrounds with a unique opportunity to build meaningful careers in interactive marketing,” said Sunil B. Gupta, Dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development at BMCC.

Accounting Program

BMCC Student Among 18 Nationwide Selected for Accounting Program
BMCC Accounting major Asmir Nikocevic was among 18 community college students nationwide selected to participate in the 2016 Accounting Scholars Development Program (ASDP) held July 24 through July 29 at Howard University in Washington D.C. He was joined by BMCC Professor of Accounting Sidney Askew, who sat on panels and judged student competitions — one of which Nikocevic and his team won — alongside professors from Howard University, the University of Maryland and others.

Hospitality

Hospitality Certificate Training Begins at MEOC
The SUNY Manhattan Education Opportunity Center (MEOC) will launch a new initiative, the Hospitality Training Program, to start Fall 2016. This 15-week program is geared towards individuals interested in working in the restaurant, hotel and hospitality, and tourism industries in New York City. Students who successfully complete the program will earn a National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) ManageFirst Customer Service Certification. In addition to coursework at MEOC, “participants in the program will take part in hands-on, experiential learning at one of our hotel or restaurant partners, and work directly with customers under the guidance of seasoned hospitality professionals,” says Carmel M. Paleski, MEOC Director of Operations.

Announcements
New Faculty

BMCC Welcomes New Faculty
Members of BMCC’s administration which includes BMCC President Antonio Pérez, Provost Karrin Wilks and Vice President of Student Affairs Marva Craig welcomed more than 35 new faculty with an orientation and reception on Aug. 24. New faculty members learned about workplace policies, research opportunities, and faculty support services available. The orientation concluded with a reception on the 13th floor terrace of Fiterman Hall.

Services for Students Affected by Earthquakes in Italy
Counseling Center, S343: Crisis and personal counseling is available to students affected by the tragedy. Students can call 212-220-8140 or walk in.
Office of Student Affairs, S350: Students having difficulty can visit or call 212-220-8130.
International Student Services, S115N: Students who have questions about their status as international students can visit or call 212-776-7179.
Office of Financial Aid, N365: Counselors are available to discuss options for those who have been financially impacted by the earthquake. Students can visit or call 212-220-1430.
Single Stop, S235: Staff members are available to discuss options for those who have been financially impacted by the earthquake. Students can visit or call 212-220-8195.

STEM

Students Present STEM Research Projects
On Saturday, August 20 in Fiterman Hall, 21 BMCC students presented summaries of their STEM research projects made possible through the Minority Student Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP) of the U.S. Department of Education. The students and their professor mentors from BMCC, New York City College of Technology, CUNY and Baruch College, CUNY were welcomed by MESIP Student Research Coordinator and Professor of Mathematics David Allen and Director of Research Helene Bach.

Per Scholas

BMCC Per Scholas Network Engineer Program Graduates New Class
On August 11, a ceremony honoring ten graduates of the BMCC/Per Scholas Network Engineer program was held at BMCC Express. Craig Rosenberg, Per Scholas Director of Career Development and Technical Training Services, told the group they had completed a tough program in their journey to a more lucrative job. Participants complete an eight-week training at Per Scholas, in preparation for the CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) Network+ certification exam. Next, they complete a 10-week training at BMCC, preparing them for the CCNA certification exam, and the Per Scholas Business Services department connects participants to companies that might be hiring. Since 2013, when the partnership between Per Scholas and BMCC began, over 175 have completed the program.

Gina Cherry

Gina Cherry Joins BMCC as CETLS Director
BMCC welcomes Gina Cherry as the new Academic Faculty Development Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning and Scholarship (CETLS). Cherry has worked in educational technology as a researcher, faculty member and educational technologist for more than 15 years. She served as co-director of the Academic Center for Excellence in Research and Teaching (ACERT) at Hunter College, CUNY, and managed the college’s Technology Teaching and Learning Group. “Gina has the right mix of pedagogical expertise and technology skills to lead the CETLS at this time,” says Jim Berg, Associate Dean of Faculty at BMCC. “She has great ideas and a wealth of experience working with faculty from all the disciplines to focus on student success.”

Making Headlines
Headlines

BMCC mentioned in Irish newspaper comparing Irish and other college experiences
August 19, 2016 — The Daily Edge

Continuing Education and IAB partnership to deliver digital training featured in tech blog
August 18, 2016 — Real-Time Daily

BMCC Math Professor Kathleen Offenholley quoted in articles on math learning through online games
August 17, 2016 — The Hechinger Report
June 8, 2016 — Center for Digital Education

SUNY MEOC Hospitality Training Program funded through TRIO Grant, the U.S. Department of Education
August 15, 2016 — EIN Presswire

BMCC alumni Jarrell Miller is interviewed about his heavyweight boxing career
August 14, 2016 — The Sweet Science

Sara Marentek talks about why she changed her major to accounting at BMCC
August 9, 2016 — American Institute of CPAs

Human services alumni Jim Saint Germain talks about his mentor in middle school
July 22, 2016 — StoryCorps, National Public Radio

Alumni and Donors
Jessica Frey

Alumni Now: Jessica Frey
Jessica Frey (Theatre, ’06) is now playing the role of Margaret Dashwood in the critically acclaimed production of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, adapted for the stage by Kate Hamill and playing now through November 20, 2016 at Bedlam. She earned a BFA in Acting at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University (NYU) in 2008. In addition to acting, she stays busy teaching in the Atlantic Acting School, takes part in a sketch group called Uncle Function, and does monologue and on-camera coaching for aspiring actors.

BMCC Alumni Council Encourages Participation in Events and Networking
BMCC’s Alumni Council welcomes BMCC alumni interested in strengthening relationships between alumni and the college. For information contact Joy Cooper, Director of Development, at jcooper@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Ways to Give
The BMCC Foundation is grateful for contributions of all types and levels. Learn about the ways you can help ensure student success and make a difference at BMCC.

Calendar
Chorus

Auditions Open to Join BMCC Downtown Chorus
Aug. 25 and 29

Continuing Education Open House
Sept. 13

Public Safety Trainings in CPR/AID, Active Shooter Training, C-CERT and Fire Warden
Thursdays and Fridays throughout the year

How to Get Back on Track when You’re on Academic Probation
Sept. 8, 16, 21 and 27; Oct. 13, 19, 27; Nov. 3

Portrait of a Landscape Art Exhibit
Aug. 3 – Sept. 10

BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center Listings

Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship Listings

Connect with BMCC
Twitter Discussion
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