The Borough of Manhattan Community College, (BMCC) has recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in partnership with AHRC New York City’s Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program. The program is designed for young adults and recent high-school graduates with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to prepare them for the world ahead with higher education coursework, internships, social experiences, and much more. The Riggio Program is also located at the College of Staten Island, Brooklyn’s Kingsborough Community College, and Hostos Community College in the Bronx.

A Year of Accomplishments

Faculty from BMCC departments such as English, Human Services, History, and Art were recognized for their work with the students over the past two semesters. Andrew Pfadt, Director of the Riggio Program at BMCC, said that many of the students integrated themselves seamlessly and joined college-based groups such as the Anime Club and the Painting Club. Erwin Wong, Dean for Academic Programs and Instruction, said that scores of additional faculty have requested to be participants in the Riggio Program during the next school year.

AHRC NYC thanks BMCC and all of its partners involved with the Melissa Riggio Higher Education Program for allowing the people we support to live out their college dreams and helping them to develop the strategies to navigate their way through adult life.

An article about this milestone was recently posted on the BMCC website.