Bronx Community College enjoys a close relationship with the borough’s thriving business community — which was celebrated once again at the 2018 Business Partners Breakfast. Hosted by the BCC Division of Workforce Development and Continuing Education, the goal of these annual town/gown get-togethers is to recognize the College’s employer partners, strengthen existing relationships between BCC and local employers and forge new partnerships with the local business community.

“In today’s world, to get ahead students need someone who can connect them with others,” BCC President Thomas A. Isekenegbe told the assembled business owners in the Thurgood Marshall Law Collection of North Hall and Library. “Many of our students are first generation college students and don’t have those connections, and need someone to open the door — and that is what you do.”

Among the business leaders present were Alix Fellman and Marco Castro of Whedco; Dana Politis of Montefiore Medical Center; Denise Arboleda, Vice President of Sales at Compulink; Fahad Islam and Julissa Maldonado of Liberty Tax Services; Josh Keller, a consultant with Perch Advisors; Mari Millet, President and CEO of the Morris Heights Health Center; and longtime friend of BCC Nunzio Del Greco, President and CEO of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

Students and recent graduates of Bronx Community College were in attendance, symbols of what BCC partnerships with the community can accomplish:

Albert Baron is currently interning as a Student Customer Information Representative for the NYCHA Customer Contact Center Project. The full-time student loves the fact that the internship is related to his Criminal Justice major and he is able to learn about the different laws concerning public housing units for residents.

Grace Acevedo, a BCC alumna, was still a student when she received an internship placement with ESC Cabling, where she now works as a bookkeeper while she attends Baruch College. The president of the company credits Grace with helping them through a fiscally challenging period last year.

Raul Rivas has been working at Shein Orthopedics for the past two years as a Custodian of Medical Records and Customer Service Representative.  A recent graduate, he has returned to BCC having acquired a part-time research position at BCC through a five-million-dollar National Science Foundation Award.

“Ask how you can help us and open more doors,” President Isekenegbe urged the participants. “At the end of the day, we are a community college and you are a part of our community.”