Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) marked its 61st Commencement Exercises today at Barclays Center, where a packed arena of graduates, families, faculty, staff, and supporters gathered to celebrate the Class of 2026, highlighted by a powerful keynote address from New York City Mayor Kwame Mandani.
In his first commencement speech since becoming Mayor, Mandani was met with thunderous applause and chants of “Mandani! Mandani!” as he was being introduced by CUNY Chancellor Dr. Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. Delivering a deeply personal and energizing address, Mayor Mandani praised the perseverance of BMCC students, telling them, “You are the beating heart of the greatest city in the world. Thank you for being the New Yorker that someone else can look at and think maybe I can make it here too.” Reflecting on the realities of balancing work, family, and long commutes, the mayor emphasized that these graduates already embody the resilience that defines the city.
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With 3,497 students eligible to graduate, the Class of 2026 represents the global fabric of New York City. The graduates hail from 110 countries, speak 28 languages, and over 58% are first-generation college students. The ceremony honored this diversity through a vibrant tapestry of bagpipers, steel pan musicians, and cultural performances. BMCC President Dr. Anthony E. Munroe lauded the graduates, stating, “This is a class of first-generation scholars representing nations from across the world. A class defined by resilience, achievement, and promise. Today’s milestone reflects not only the determination of our graduates but the strength of the entire CUNY community that stands behind them.”
Rosa Ghullikie, an immigrant student from the Dominican Republic and an Early Childhood Education major, was named Valedictorian of the Class of 2026. The College also presented its highest honor, the Presidential Medal, to two distinguished individuals: Jonathan D. Resnick, for his outstanding contributions and commitment to the BMCC Foundation and student investment, and the late Alison Marie Roach-Wilson, OD, former Consul General of Jamaica in New York and BMCC graduate, for her enduring leadership and dedication to global partnerships. Her husband, Omar Wilson, accepted the medal on her behalf. He was joined on the dais by Christopher Benjamin, Community Relations Officer of the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York.
The Class of 2026 represents a period of significant growth and academic excellence for the institution. The 2025–2026 academic year saw approximately 3,500 total graduates, a 14% increase, with 1,624 students graduating with honors. The class continues to gain national prestige, including producing four Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars, the most of any community college nationwide, and five students accepted into Columbia University’s School of General Studies through the BMCC-Columbia Scholars Program, which offers a seamless, jointly enrolled associate-to-bachelor’s degree pathway for high-achieving, under-resourced students. Upon acceptance to Columbia GS, the students receive scholarship funding that covers their full financial need for tuition and fees, as well as a stipend for housing and personal expenses.
Most graduates are transferring to four-year CUNY sister institutions, while some are headed to prominent HBCUs and other prestigious institutions throughout the country.
With graduates ranging in age from 18 to 71, and more than half receiving Pell Grants, the ceremony underscored BMCC’s core mission to expand access and economic mobility. The day was a defining New York City moment, capturing a community driven by ambition, diversity, and the indomitable spirit of its people.
To watch the commencement ceremony, click here: Livestream – BMCC
