College Centers, Resources and Continuing Education
THE BRONX COMMUNITY COLLEGE GEOSPATIAL CENTER OF THE CUNY CREST INSTITUTE (BGCCCI)
Founding Director: Dr. Sunil Bhaskaran
www.bcc.cuny.edu/academics/geospatial-center-of-the-cuny-crest-institute/
The Bronx Community College Geospatial Center of the CUNY CREST Institute (BGCCCI) is a satellite institute of the CUNY CREST Institute. It was formed on the 3rd October, 2014 by a memorandum of understanding between Bronx Community College [BCC] and the CUNY CREST Institute [City College of New York]. The Center is an CUNY entity that is housed under the Office of Academic Affairs and comes under the direct authority of the President of BCC (CUNY POLICY]. Following a CUNY wide memorandum, BGCCCI was recertified on the 8th April, 2024 for a five-year period (2025-2029) by the CUNY Board of Trustees. The recertification process was coordinated by the Provost’s Office of Academic Affairs at BCC, Director of BGCCCI, Executive Director of CUNY CREST Institute [CCNY], Office of the Provost [CCNY] and CUNY Office of Academic Affairs.
The Center’s mission is to promote research, training, and service in geospatial technologies. Through its all-year-round activities, it supports the core mission of the College and advances the Strategic Road Map of CUNY. The Center is a vehicle for interdisciplinary and thematic research at BCC-CUNY that uses geospatial technologies and analytics for designing and developing downstream Science Technology Engineering Art and Mathematics [STEAM] applications. Its hosts hands-on workshops, professional development programs, and research internships for students and educators from the K-16 education system. Over the years, the Center’s intensive research internship program has resulted in innovative research projects, industry relevant workforce skills, career pathways and scientific publications and technical reports.
Affiliated faculty and members of the Center use multi-spectrum Earth Observation [EO], multisource datasets and a wide range of techniques including machine learning, deep learning, customized neural network architectures for conducting innovative and transformational applied research in extreme weather event mitigation and adaptation, urban planning, disaster management and decision support systems. Since 2014, BGCCCI has been contributing to national efforts in reducing gaps in skilled labor by creating pathways in geospatial technology and careers. Affiliated faculty members at BGCCCI have engaged in cutting-edge research in collaboration with national and international institutions. Since its inception the Center has trained and imparted workforce skills to 500 participants including students and educators (K-16). BGCCCI’s large volumes of geospatial data provide students and faculty with a unique opportunity to undertake cutting-edge research.
What is geospatial technology? Geospatial technology includes geographic information systems [GIS], remote sensing [RS] and global positioning systems [GPS]. It is defined as “an information technology field of practice that acquires, manages, interprets, integrates, displays, analyzes or otherwise uses data focusing on the geographic, temporal and spatial context.” According to the US department of Labor (USDOL), geospatial technology is an emerging critical field of study that has a wide range of applications. It is also a high-growth sector that faces a critical shortage of skilled labor and, therefore, education and training in it is a national priority.
Mission: The overarching mission of BGCCCI is to educate, train and prepare BCC students for conducting cutting-edge industry-relevant STEAM research by learning concepts and acquiring hands-on workforce training skills in geospatial technology. Affiliated faculty, students’ interns and collaborators at BGCCCI conduct cutting-edge research in collaboration with the industry.
Goals and Objectives
a) Conduct cutting-edge research in areas of national priorities including geospatial-AI.
b) Deliver hands-on training/workshops, research internships and professional development programs for K-16 institutions, including students, educators and not-for-profit agencies.\
c) Collaborate with national and international institutions in cutting-edge research areas [image and spatial analysis, deep learning, data mining, cloud-based BIG DATA analytics].
d) Sustain the Center’s activities by extramural funding and internal funding through grant awards from private and federal entities.
e) Collaborate with other city agencies to uplift the technology landscape and progress of New York City.
and
f) Collaborate with an industry consortium for designing innovative out-of-the-box internships and career pathways.
State-of-the-art computing facility: BGCCCI’s Geospatial Computing Center, located in Meister Hall [ME], is a state-of-the-art facility equipped with the latest industry standard and open-source geospatial software and data including large archives of multi-resolution satellite data and other forms of geospatial datasets. It is a one-stop digital facility that provides a trouble-free learning environment for conducting cutting-edge transformative and convergent research.
A self-sustaining entity: The student centric growth pyramid and scholarly activities at the Center are fueled by sustained funding from the United States National Science Foundation (NSF), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), New York City Workforce Development Initiative (NYCWDI) and other awards from the industry. BGCCCI is a self-sustaining entity fueled by grants from federal and private agencies including Federal Highway Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation [USDOT], ESRI-Natural Resources Imagery Grant, National Science Foundation, National Aeronautical Space Administration [NASA], Digital Globe, Harris Corporation, Amazon and many others. Its unique sustenance model has enabled BGCCCI to grow and evolve into a major intellectual hub in the region. Currently BGCCCI is funded by grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA program 2025-2028]. The Center has a high-success ratio in securing funding from federal and private agencies. The Centers activities are evaluated by college designed rubrics and external evaluators.
The Center celebrated ten years by hosting the ‘Geospatial Technologies for the Earth’ conference on the 21 August, 2025. Its decadal contributions are capsuled into a ‘Decadal Report’ that showcases the centers’ contributions and accomplishments. The Center was re-certified by the CUNY Board of Trustees from 2025-2029.
Center Highlights [access the hyperlinks below]
Strategic Goals of the Center [2024-2029]
BGCCCI celebrates ten years of existence and accomplishments [2014-2024]
Geospatial Technologies for the Earth Symposium Final Program
CENTER FOR TEACHING, LEARNING, AND TECHNOLOGY (CTLT)
Director: Mark Lennerton | Meister Hall [ME], Room 212
Director of Online Support and Learning Management System: Albert Robinson
Meister Hall [ME], Rooms 212 and 209 | 718.289.5100, Ext. 3412
Brightspace Support and Training Center:
Nichols Hall [NI], Room 311 | 718.289.5100, Ext. 3260
http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/CTLT/
As the comprehensive center for professional development to BCC’s faculty, staff, and administration dedicated to the art of teaching, CTLT produces and promotes workshops, seminars, conferences and other events that foster growth in pedagogy, scholarship, assessment and the adoption of new classroom technologies. The CTLT instructional staff explores innovative approaches to teaching and learning, promotes a common understanding of tested best practices and collaborates to develop a network of pedagogical mentorship and collegial community. Wherever possible, CTLT faculty development programs are designed and led by qualified BCC faculty and staff. All such programs and activities are centered on BCC’s key academic goals: strengthening students’ engagement with learning and increasing the number of students who persist and graduate. In pursuit of these goals, the CTLT fosters collaborative relationships with faculty and staff across disciplines, across the BCC campus and across the University. The focus is on the application of pedagogy rather than the acquisition of specific subject content. Emphasis is placed on understanding and empathizing with the student experience.
CTLT also provides technical support and training for all classroom educational technologies and equipment such as whiteboards, projectors, podium computers, lecture capture, pod/video casting, 3D printing and scanning, the Brightspace learning management system, ePortfolio, automated exam scanning and grading, HyFlex classrooms and labs, etc.
SUNY BRONX EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER
Executive Director: Ronnie Hector
2467 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468 | 718.530.7000
www.bronxeoc.org
The Bronx Educational Opportunity Center (Bronx EOC) is one of 10 EOCs and 2 Career and Outreach Centers (CCOCs) in New York State. The Bronx EOC is an educational and workforce development institution of the State University of New York, established to educate and train underserved adults and local communities. The Bronx EOC provides innovative academic programs leading to high school equivalency and higher education and workforce development training leading to a more productive and prosperous individual in the workplace while supporting upward mobility, economic stability, and self-sufficiency.
Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking (ATTAIN) is a network of technology laboratories located across New York state’s most economically challenged urban and rural communities.
Academic Programs: Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, College Preparation, Pre-High School Equivalency, and High School Equivalency Preparation
Vocational Programs: Medical Assistant (MA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Doula (DOU), Electric Car Charging Station Repair (EVT), Master Barber (MB), Home Health Aide (HHA), Echocardiogram (EKG), Phlebotomy(PHL), Security Guard Training (SRT), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Patient Care Technician (PCT), and Microsoft Certifications (MOS)
For more information please visit: http://www.BronxEOC.org
OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION
Dean: Jessica Hills Seliger
Director: Madelaine Centeno
Sage Hall [SA], Room 201 | 718.289.5170
www.bcc.cuny.edu/continuing-education/
The Office of Workforce Development and Continuing Education at Bronx Community College offers educational programs for students of all ages and backgrounds seeking to improve their career prospects and economic security. Course offerings include training for jobs in allied health, construction, early childhood education, and, technology, as well as ESL and TASC/GED preparation. The Office also delivers customized training for employers in a variety of industries. In partnership with BCC academic departments, BCC students can earn certifications to increase their prospects in the labor market and often earn credit toward their degree at the same time.
OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Assistant Vice President and Chief Information Officer: Luisa Martich
Colston Hall [CO], Room 827 | 718.289.5168
The Office of Information Technology is committed to delivering enterprise-class IT services that support and enhance the College’s mission, playing a pivotal role in providing an exceptional educational experience for students. This office designs, maintains, and secures the College’s network infrastructure and computer systems, ensuring reliable and secure access to essential resources. It also oversees student labs, provides comprehensive technical support to the campus community, and drives innovation across the institution. The Office of Information Technology is organized into eight key service areas: Infrastructure and System Integration Services, Network and Information Security, Academic and Instructional Technology, IT Service Desk, IT Client Services, Information Services and Production Support, IT Business and Project Management, and the IT Training and Internship Office. Each of these areas works collaboratively to ensure that the College’s technology environment is robust, secure, and continuously evolving to meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students.
Infrastructure and System Integration Services
The Infrastructure and System Integration Services unit is a cornerstone of the college’s technological environment and is responsible for the comprehensive management and operation of the college’s information technology infrastructure. This unit ensures the seamless planning, deployment, support, and maintenance of critical systems that form the backbone of the campus’s technology environment. The unit’s responsibilities include the campus telephone system, fiber optic backbone, departmental and building networks, campus-wide wireless data network, wide area network (WAN) connections, and large-scale computer, server, and information resources.
Network and Information Security
The Information Security unit is dedicated to safeguarding the College’s computing and information assets, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies. This unit is crucial in protecting the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the College’s digital resources. In addition to its protective efforts, the Information Security unit provides the College community with timely security bulletins, essential information on best practices for computer security, and comprehensive awareness, education, and training programs. These initiatives are designed to empower students, faculty, and staff with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the digital landscape securely, thereby contributing to a safer and more secure campus environment.
Academic and Instructional Technology
The Academic and Instructional Technology unit plays a crucial role in supporting the college’s educational mission by equipping academic departments with the necessary technology and resources to enhance teaching and learning. This unit provides faculty with the tools and support to conduct their classes effectively, ensuring they can access the required equipment and technology. For students, the unit offers state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, enabling them to complete their academic work with the latest technological advancements. Additionally, the unit manages spaces designed for conferences, workshops, and multimedia presentations, serving as a hub for educational and professional development within the college community.
IT Service Desk
The IT Service Desk is the central hub for technical support at the College, offering assistance to students, faculty, and staff via telephone, email, and walk-in services. As the primary point of contact for resolving issues related to the College’s IT services, the IT Service Desk is the go-to resource for help with computer problems, network access, and account management. Whether you need immediate assistance or guidance on where to find further support, the IT Service Desk is dedicated to providing prompt, reliable, and friendly service to ensure that all members of the College community can effectively utilize the technology resources available to them.
IT Client Services
The IT Client Services Office is dedicated to delivering comprehensive technology support to the college community, including enterprise software installation, hardware installation, system upgrades, and audiovisual services. This office ensures that faculty, staff, and students have access to the latest technology tools and resources, enabling them to perform their work efficiently and effectively. Services include deploying and maintaining enterprise software applications, installing and configuring hardware, and timely upgrades to keep systems up-to-date. Furthermore, the office provides expert audiovisual setup and support for classrooms, events, and meetings, ensuring a seamless experience across all college activities.
Information Services and Production Support
The Information Services and Production Support Office provides vital services to the college community by managing and maintaining the institution’s critical information systems and production environments. This office ensures that all digital resources, from academic databases to administrative applications, are readily accessible, reliable, and secure. It offers comprehensive support for system performance, data management, and troubleshooting, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted access to essential services. In addition, the office oversees the deployment and maintenance of production systems, including updates and enhancements, to meet the evolving needs of faculty, staff, and students.
IT Business and Project Management
The IT Business and Project Management Office serves as a central resource for the college community, providing comprehensive support in the planning, executing, and managing technology-related projects. This office offers services to all areas, including project consultation, strategic planning, resource allocation, and risk management, ensuring all IT initiatives align with the institution’s goals. Through these efforts, the office plays a vital role in advancing the college’s mission and improving the overall experience for the entire campus community.
IT Training and internship
The IT Training and Internship Office supports faculty, staff, and students by offering a range of resources and opportunities designed to enhance technical proficiency and professional growth. For students, the office provides hands-on training, workshops, and internships that bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world IT experience. Faculty and staff can benefit from targeted training sessions that keep them up-to-date with the latest technological tools and practices, enabling them to integrate technology into their work and teaching effectively. By fostering collaboration, the office ensures all participants gain relevant, practical experience, enhancing their skills and contributing to a technologically advanced campus community.