Bronx Community College (BCC) officially announced the BCC–Baruch Business Academy, marking an important step in expanding opportunity and supporting student success. At a signing ceremony in the Roscoe Brown Student Center, BCC President Dr. Larry D. Johnson, Jr. and Baruch College President Dr. S. David Wu formalized a shared commitment to creating a clear and supported path for students pursuing careers in business.

Faculty, staff, and students from both institutions gathered for the event, which focused on the impact the collaboration will have. The program is already underway, with 22 BCC students currently enrolled in the Academy and six preparing to transfer to Baruch this fall.

The Business Academy gives students in BCC’s Business Administration A.S. program a structured route to continue their education at Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business, one of the nation’s leading public business schools. Students who meet program requirements will receive guaranteed admission, along with dedicated advisement, mentoring, and early access to career development resources through Baruch’s Bridge to Baruch program.

“This agreement is about more than a process or a piece of paper,” said Dr. Johnson. “It reflects our commitment to creating clear pathways for our students – many of whom are the first in their families to pursue higher education – so they can continue their education and move toward their goals with the support they need.”

Dr. Wu spoke about the growth of the Business Academy model across CUNY, noting that what began with 20 students in 2022 has grown to nearly 1,000 students. “When you create clear, intentional pathways and bring institutions into alignment, students respond,” he said. “This is about building a full journey from community college to a four-year degree and beyond.”

Dr. Bruce Weber, Dean of Baruch’s Zicklin School of Business, emphasized the importance of making the transfer process more straightforward for students. “For many years, transfer was a difficult path to navigate,” he said. “The Business Academy is designed to make that path smoother, more predictable, and more supportive for students as they move from one institution to the next.”

Professor Howard A. Clampman, Chair of BCC’s Business and Information Systems Department, spoke about the faculty and administrative work required to develop the program. “This is why we do this work,” he said. “We’ve brought our institutions together to create something that gives our students the best chance to succeed. This partnership is about opening doors and making sure students are ready for what comes next.”

The launch builds on a growing network of Business Academy partnerships across CUNY. The BCC–Baruch Business Academy is expected to continue expanding in the coming semesters as additional cohorts of students enroll in the program.