Nigeria’s Isekenegbe named Bronx Community College president

The Board of Trustees, City University of New York (CUNY) has appointed a Nigerian, Dr. Thomas Isekenegbe, as the president of Bronx Community College (BCC).

Isekenegbe who has been president of Cumberland County College for six years, has had an outstanding administrative, teaching and leadership record spanning nearly 30 years, at both two-year and four-year institutions of higher education.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with honors from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a Masters in Science Education as well as a Ph.D in Curriculum and Instruction, from Indiana State University.

He has also collaborated with county and city officials for the cities of Millville and Bridgeton to open two instructional sites. In Millville, the Business Arts Innovative Centers, a $10 million facility currently under construction, will house the college’s Fine Arts Programme. In Bridgeton, the college developed STEAMWorks as a makerspace for individuals and entrepreneurs.

Chancellor of the institution, James Milliken recommended Isekenegbe’s appointment to the CUNY BoT after a national search, and the nomination was approved unanimously.

The search committee was chaired by trustee Valerie Beal including other trustees, CUNY college president, faculty, students and alumni representatives.

In their respective remarks, BoT Chairperson, Benno Schmidt and Milliken stated, “Isekenegbe has an exemplary record of leadership and accomplishment at Cumberland County College and throughout a distinguished career that encompasses administration, teaching, scholarship and community service.

“He is deeply committed and focused on student success and completion and has developed and implemented effective strategies to enhance student achievement. We are confident that he will provide inspired leadership for BCC.”

BCC was founded in 1957 to meet the growing need for access to higher education in the borough of Bronx.

Isekenegbe in his response said, “I am honoured and humbled by this appointment. I am looking forward to working with the chancellor, faculty, staff, students, alumni and the Bronx community to make BCC the best community college.”