Bronx Community College (BCC) is stepping into the spotlight with a bold new vision for its media and digital film production (MEDP) program, and the renovation plan is getting a standing ovation from New York City’s elected officials and entertainment industry leaders alike.

On Monday, April 21, City Council Members Pierina Sanchez (C.D. 14), Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11), and Althea Stevens (C.D. 16) joined representatives from Sony, Panavision, and major media unions for what college officials described as an inspiring campus visit.

BCC officials said the delegation toured the college’s current studio facilities and met with students to discuss what they said was a shared vision i.e. a complete renovation of the college program’s TV studio and learning spaces with the aim of empowering Bronx students with 21st-century tools to launch thriving careers in film and television.

“This isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a transformation,” said Prof. Jeffrey Wisotsky, director of the MEDP program of the planned renovation. “We’re creating a launchpad for the next generation of Bronx storytellers, technicians, and creative leaders. With industry-grade spaces and strong community partnerships, our students will be prepared to step onto professional sets with confidence.”

The proposed renovation, covering over 6,200 square feet across two floors of Meister Hall, includes state-of-the-art classrooms, a black box theater, industry-standard TV studio upgrades, a new distribution space, and vital accessibility improvements such as elevator access. BCC officials said the enhancements will provide students hands-on experience with modern equipment and workflows that mirror real-world production environments.

More specific features include:

• modernized classrooms with updated AV technology and smartboards;
• a Black Box theater with full lighting and sound production capabilities;
• a cutting-edge TV studio outfitted to match current industry standards;
• ADA-compliant elevator for full accessibility;
• upgraded electrical and mechanical systems to support new technology; and
• a student collaboration and distribution hub to streamline creative workflow.

On the importance of obtaining a good grounding in media education, Ashley Benoit, a second-semester student, put it best, saying, “This program has changed my life. Working on set for CBS’s “FBI” right here on campus was surreal, and just the beginning. With these upgrades, imagine how many more lives and careers will be changed!”

BCC officials said the proposed upgrades have the enthusiastic backing of Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and the New York City Council Bronx delegation, who said they said are committed to securing funding for the transformation. BCC officials said the support of the elected officials reflects a broader commitment to equity, opportunity, and creative industry growth in The Bronx.

“The Bronx is a wellspring of talent, creativity, and potential,” said Dr. Milton Santiago, interim president of BCC. “These renovations will ensure our students have the tools and support they need to tell their stories, shape their futures, and help build New York’s creative economy.”

Among the visiting guests on April 21 was BCC alumna, Stephanie Fox, now a member of the Directors Guild of America, whose credits include “The Equalizer,” “Bros,” and “Rob Peace.” “This program gave me everything I needed to get started in the industry: skills, connections, confidence,” Fox shared. “I would not be where I am today without the foundation I got at BCC.”

Bronx Community College will be hosting the 47th Annual “Run the Bronx” the second oldest footrace in New York City, on its campus and around the borough on Saturday, May 3 at 10 a.m.

As usual, the event aims to encourage Bronxites to improve the health outcomes of its residents, who are ranked last out of 62 New York counties on a regular health index. For example, Bronx residents have an estimated 85% higher risk of obesity than Manhattan residents, and The Bronx has a 10% diabetes rate.

An estimated 2,000 participants from around the Bronx borough, the state, and the world will be participating, according to BCC. The event was co-founded in 1978 by the late and distinguished BCC President and Tuskegee Airman Roscoe C. Brown Jr. For more information and to register, click here.

Run the Bronx consists of a 10K and 5K run, as well as a 2-mile fitness walk and a PeeWee Pavilion featuring child-friendly obstacle courses, hula hoops, bubbles, giveaways and more. Participation costs are covered for Pre-K-Gr 12 students and all CUNY students.

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Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.