We were overjoyed to welcome visitors to campus today, including the newly-appointed Chancellor of New York City Public Schools Richard A. Carranza, New York State Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo, New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera, and CUNY Executive Vice Chancellor and University Provost Vita Rabinowitz. While the seventh graders of PSMS 279 in the Bronx won’t be ready for college for another 6 years, 60 of them got a sneak preview of what awaits them when they toured Bronx Community College today and met with our local elected officials. Their trip was part of the CUNY College Explorers program, a partnership between the New York City Department of Education and The City University of New York intended to ensure that every middle-school student has the opportunity to visit a college campus. The CUNY College Explorers program promotes high school, college, and life success.

The importance of attending high school and college was highlighted by the political and educational leaders who were on hand to greet the excited students. This is the first CUNY institution visited by Chancellor Carranza since his appointment. I had the pleasure of speaking to the students this morning and welcoming them with this message: “To all of our future students, welcome to your University and to your College. Every long journey begins with a step and you are taking that step today.” The eager students were given a tour of the campus, from our hi-tech North Hall and Library to century-old architectural gem – the Hall of Fame for Great Americans. Then, in a CUNY College Explorers offering unique to BCC, the students conducted hands-on science experiments in Meister Hall – testing food for carbohydrates and dissecting fetal pigs. A lunch of pizza followed.

The CUNY College Explorers program is part of a broad effort to get all New York City school kids to think of themselves as college material. The students who came to the campus today left with a compelling glimpse of what that future can hold for them at Bronx Community College.

Thank you to Dr. Simone Rodriguez-Dorestant, BCC Associate Dean for Success Programs, and the Division of Academic & Student Success for planning and hosting the students. Thank you to the Division of Advancement, Communications and External Relations for coordinating the visit of our elected officials. And a special thank you to Andre Christie, Program Director for the CUNY College Explorers Program, and each of the Explorer students for joining us to learn and play! We look forward to welcoming more students in the coming months.

Thomas A. Isekenegbe, Ph.D.
President