2023 Salutatorian Rubi Larancuent Inspires as Keynote Speaker  

The 2024 Student Convocation held Thursday, September 5, 2024, included Welcome Back greetings by Associate Director of Student Life Tiffany Dubon, who served as emcee; Student Government Association (SGA) President Cadell Canzius; Interim BCC President Dr. Milton Santiago; Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs  Dr. Luis Montenegro, and Vice President for Student Success Dr. Manny Lopez.   

 “Know that your journey at BCC will not only empower you academically, but also will provide you with a supportive community that believes in your dreams,” said Canzius.  

 “We are here to support you every step of the way,” said President Santiago. “And It is not just your professors and advisors who will help you succeed here at BCC, but also each other.” 

Dr. Santiago talked about wrap-around support services (food pantry, childcare center) available to assist students with barriers that may present themselves, in addition to opportunities beyond the classroom. He added, “If you put your mind to it and reach out for support when you need it, you will experience the impact this institution can have towards your educational and professional career journey.” 

Dr. Montenegro said, “College is supposed to be challenging. Because it challenges you to grow – emotionally, intellectually, personally – and once you complete college you have transformed to be a better leader, to be a better functioning member of society, to be a better member of your family.” 

BCC alum and 2023 Jack Kent Cooke Scholar Rubi Larancuent served as Keynote Speaker. Larancuent, born and raised in the Dominican Republic, shared inspiring remarks around her move to NYC in 2020 and subsequent studies at BCC as well as her current journey on a full scholarship as a Mathematics major at Princeton University.  

In delivering her insights to new and returning BCC students, Larancuent said she hopes to increase the representation of women of color and Latinas in mathematics by becoming a math professor and serving as an example for her students.  ”Today I’m not here to give you a magic formula for success because I don’t have one. What I do have is my story. A story of how small decisions to act, to begin, to persist can lead to places you never imagined,”  Larancuent told her fellow Broncos.  

Convocation concluded with SGA and Men’s Empowerment Network members leading the Commitment Pledge, uniting students in a promise to achieve greatness this academic year.