CIEE and BMCC Are Increasing Study Abroad Access for Community College Students

Community college students account for less than 2% of all U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit, according to Open Doors survey of international exchange activity in the United States.  But Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) President Anthony Munroe is trying to change that, striving to increase participation in study abroad by his students and setting a goal for BMCC to become the nation's leading global community college.

Thanks to his vision, BMCC is one of four institutions nationwide, alongside Arizona State University, Northeastern University, and UC San Diego, each awarded a CIEE Leading Change in Study Abroad matching grant of $1 million over four years to expand student access to global experiences and measure how study abroad can strengthen enrollment, retention, and career outcomes. 

President Munroe is investing the grant, which is part of CIEEs Pledge to Lead Change in Study Abroad, to drive significant institutional change through a comprehensive, college-wide approach to global programs designed to increase access to study abroad programs, particularly among first-generation, Pell-eligible, and underrepresented students, such as older students and student parents. 

One year after receiving the grant, more than 150 BMCC students have studied abroad and BMCC is making enormous progress on their goal to become the nation's leading community college for shaping globally minded and prepared graduates who are ready to serve their communities locally, nationally, and internationally.

This week, a delegation from CIEE travelled to New York City to celebrate the first year of the CIEE and BMCC partnership to Lead Change in Study Abroad. James P. Pellow, President and CEO of CIEE, congratulated BMCC leadership, saying “Your success this year has exceeded all of our expectations. It’s an honor to celebrate this partnership and be a part of the BMCC family.”

President Anthony Munroe thanked CIEE for “believing in BMCC” to deliver such strong results in year one of the Leading Change in Study Abroad partnership.

Advancing Toward the Goal of 1,000 BMCC Students Studying Abroad in the Next Four Years

BMCC has set an ambitious goal to send at least 1,000 of their students abroad within the next four years. And they are quickly progressing toward that goal, thanks to strategic investment in scholarships and support for faculty leading programs abroad.

A panel of four faculty members who led programs abroad this past year spoke at this week's anniversary event, including Dr. Madole Lewis, Associate Professor of Art History; Dr. Jean Plaisir, Professor of Education; Dr. Roa Harizi, Lecturer of Arabic; Dr. Levan Kurt, Associate Professor of Physics. Daniel Nieves, Lecturer of Ethnic and Race Studies, who is developing a program for January, also joined the panel. 

President Munroe’s vision has transformed the culture of the institution, shared Dr. Nieves, who expressed his gratitude for President Munroe's investment in the professional development of faculty as well as students. 

Also at the event, a panel of six students (Simmonette Macey, J-term Singapore 2026; Damani Laidlow, Faculty-led program in Cape Town 2025; Lucas Silva, J-term Berlin 2025; Mekhi Patterson, J-term Rome 2025; Xeru Wyan, J-term Kyoto 2025; and Safiyyah Wilkerson, Summer Global Internship Paris 2024) shared how they’ve benefitted from their time abroad with CIEE. 

 “I was initially afraid to go abroad," said Damani Ludlow. "But when I heard I could go with faculty from BMCC I was ready. Seeing the income disparities in Cape Town really made me grateful for what we have in the States. Now I want to give back.”

The anniversary celebration ended with a raffle for BMCC students to win travel vouchers. Five BMCC students received flight vouchers they can apply towards any flight next year. Xeru Wyan screamed in excitement when she learned she received the prize. “I’m going to Seoul in January. It’s an expensive flight so I really needed this!”