Dr. Anthony E. Munroe is a nationally recognized higher education leader and the 11th President of Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York City. Since assuming the BMCC presidency in 2020, Dr. Munroe has spearheaded dynamic growth and innovation, with a focus on educational equity, student support, and inclusive excellence. His tenure has been marked by initiatives to address students’ basic needs and to expand academic and career opportunities for BMCC’s diverse student body. One of his first acts as president was establishing a Race, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee to confront systemic barriers facing students, underscoring his commitment to a supportive learning environment.
Under Dr. Munroe’s leadership, BMCC has achieved improved student retention and graduation rates through targeted support programs and enhanced advising services. He has driven significant fundraising and grant acquisition efforts, securing new scholarships and upgraded facilities for the college. Notably, BMCC was one of only four U.S. institutions to earn a $1 million matching grant from the Council on International Educational Exchange, expanding global learning and study-abroad opportunities for students in cities from Seville to Tokyo. Such achievements reflect his vision of empowering students to thrive in a global economy.
Beyond campus, Dr. Munroe is an influential voice in higher education governance. He serves as Chair of the Board of Community Colleges for International Development and sits on the boards of several national organizations, including the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. His advocacy for accessible, quality education has earned him numerous accolades. Dr. Munroe has been named among the “Power 100” leaders in New York education and was honored in amNY’s Black Power Players list. He is also the recipient of a Caribbean Impact Award from Schneps Media and a prestigious Heritage Award from the Consulate General of Jamaica in New York. These honors – along with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s Paragon Award for new college presidents – recognize his outstanding leadership and his bridging of communities through education.
Dr. Munroe brought to BMCC a rich professional background. He previously served as President of Essex County College in New Jersey and President of Malcolm X College in Chicago, guiding those institutions to improve student outcomes. Earlier in his career, he held executive roles in healthcare, including presidency of three hospitals and leadership of a major NYC public health program, which honed his expertise in addressing community health disparities. This unique blend of experience in health and education has informed his holistic approach to student success and community well-being.
A first-generation American of Caribbean heritage, Dr. Munroe’s personal journey underpins his professional mission. He was raised in the Bronx by immigrant parents and a grandfather who was born in Panama and grew up in Jamaica. Having been educated in New York City public schools, he deeply understands the challenges facing urban students and the transformative power of education. Dr. Munroe holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School and both an MPH and Ed.D. from Columbia University’s Teachers College. His life story – from humble beginnings to academia’s heights – resonates with the aspirations of students he now champions.
Dr. Anthony Munroe remains actively involved in the Jamaican diaspora community. In 2022, he received a Heritage Award from the Jamaican Consulate in New York, highlighting his contributions as a proud Caribbean-American educator. He has been celebrated for leveraging his platform to uplift others, embodying the spirit of educational leadership that transforms lives. Through his vision and service, Dr. Munroe continues to build bridges between communities, inspire the next generation of leaders, and leave an indelible legacy in higher education and beyond.