Bronx Community College (BCC) recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of its CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP), recognizing three decades of helping immigrant and multilingual students strengthen their English-language skills and prepare for academic and professional success.<\/p>\n
Founded in 1996 by CUNY Central Office members Leslee Oppenheim and John Mogulescu, CLIP was created to address the challenges many English language learners face while simultaneously taking ESL and college-credit courses. The program\u2019s immersive model provides 25 hours of intensive English instruction each week, helping students build the language, academic and personal skills needed to succeed in college.<\/p>\n
The anniversary celebration featured a historical presentation with archival photographs, remarks from longtime faculty and staff, recognition of student achievement and the annual Pina Capone Essay Contest, where students reflected on how the program impacted their lives.<\/p>\n
Over the years, CLIP has evolved into more than an English immersion program. Students from across Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East have built a multicultural community while participating in museum collaborations and educational trips to places such as Washington, D.C. and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library in Hyde Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cCLIP students are very grateful for the assistance that we give them,\u201d said CLIP Director Jason Davis, who has been with the program since its inception. \u201cIt\u2019s very fulfilling to see that you\u2019re changing people\u2019s lives and helping them move forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to college data shared during the celebration, CLIP students at BCC are twice as likely to graduate as non-CLIP students and, on average, earn a full letter grade higher academically. Program leaders attribute those outcomes to CLIP\u2019s intensive structure, strong attendance expectations and wraparound support services.CLIP alumni have gone on to careers in medicine, higher education, public service and other fields, with some returning to BCC in professional roles.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat makes this program special is that it\u2019s not just about learning English,\u201d Davis said. \u201cStudents build confidence, community and a sense of possibility for their future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The winners of this year\u2019s Pina Capone Essay Contest were: First Place, Said Rosario; evening program \u2013 Hoguady Hilario and Second Place: Ana Fernandez; evening program \u2013\u00a0 Marielys Marquez.<\/p>\n
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