Milestone gathering will bring Fulbright alumni, leaders, educators and changemakers from across the United States and around the world to New York
WASHINGTON, D.C. and NEW YORK, N.Y. The Fulbright Association announced today that Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) will host the 2027 Fulbright Association Annual Conference, October 22–24, 2027, in New York City.
The milestone gathering will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fulbright Association and bring together Fulbright alumni, educators, students, institutional partners and leaders from across the United States and around the world.
Located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, BMCC provides a particularly fitting setting for the anniversary. The largest college in the City University of New York system, BMCC serves more than 23,000 students and offers more than 60 academic programs. Its extraordinarily diverse community includes students, faculty and staff representing 173 countries and speaking 33 languages.
“New York City is one of the great global crossroads of the world, and BMCC reflects that spirit every day,” said Tammy Hettinger, Executive Director of the Fulbright Association. “As we celebrate 50 years of the Fulbright Association, we wanted to be in a place that represents where we are headed—diverse, dynamic, accessible and deeply connected to the world. BMCC is that place.”
BMCC’s growing role in New York City’s international community further strengthens the partnership. Through its Office of Diplomatic Engagement and Training, the College connects students and faculty with diplomats, consular officials, United Nations leaders and international affairs professionals. The initiative provides training and educational opportunities in diplomacy and global affairs while taking advantage of New York City’s unique position as home to the United Nations and one of the world’s largest diplomatic communities.
“We are honored to welcome the Fulbright Association to BMCC as it celebrates this important milestone,” said Dr. Anthony E. Munroe, President of Borough of Manhattan Community College. “BMCC and the Fulbright Association share a belief in the transformative power of education and in the importance of bringing people from different cultures and experiences together. Hosting the Fulbright community provides an extraordinary opportunity for our students, faculty and the broader BMCC community to engage with leaders and ideas from around the world.”
The College also sits at the intersection of education, diplomacy, business and culture. BMCC is home to the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, a longstanding venue for the internationally renowned Tribeca Festival, placing conference participants in the heart of one of New York City’s most dynamic cultural neighborhoods.
Founded in 1977, the Fulbright Association is the U.S. alumni organization of the Fulbright Program, bringing Fulbrighters together to advance international understanding, strengthen communities and turn the Fulbright experience into lifelong engagement and impact.
The October 22–24, 2027, conference will serve as a centerpiece of the Association’s yearlong 50th anniversary celebration, highlighting five decades of Fulbright alumni engagement while looking ahead to the future of international education, leadership and global collaboration. Programming will include plenary conversations, alumni-led sessions, professional and career programming, networking, cultural experiences and opportunities to connect BMCC students with the Fulbright community.
“For 50 years, the Fulbright Association has been about what happens after the exchange—how people take the relationships, knowledge and perspective they gained through Fulbright and put them into action,” Hettinger said. “In New York, we will celebrate where we’ve been while bringing together the people and ideas that will shape where we go next.”
Additional details about the 2027 Fulbright Association Annual Conference, including speakers, programming, registration and 50th anniversary events, will be announced in the coming months.
About the Fulbright Association
The Fulbright Association is the U.S. alumni association of the Fulbright Program, connecting Fulbright alumni and friends through a nationwide network of chapters, programs, advocacy, service and professional engagement. The Association works to extend the Fulbright experience beyond the exchange itself, creating opportunities for alumni to connect, lead, serve and advance international understanding throughout their lives. In 2027, the Fulbright Association will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
About Borough of Manhattan Community College
Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) is part of The City University of New York (CUNY) and is the largest college in the CUNY system. Located in Lower Manhattan, BMCC serves more than 23,000 students and offers more than 60 academic programs. Its diverse community represents 173 countries and speaks 33 languages. BMCC is committed to advancing equity, educational opportunity, student success and socioeconomic mobility through the transformative power of education.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Fulbright Association
Tammy Hettinger
Executive Director
tammy.hettinger@fulbright.org
(202) 775-0725
Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC)
Michelle Hernandez
AVP, Communications, Marketing and External Affairs
mihernandez@bmcc.cuny.edu
(212) 220-1238