Founded in 1963 as part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, BMCC grants associate degrees in a wide variety of vocational, business, health, science, engineering and continuing education fields.

BMCC renovated the office space into classrooms and administrative areas, and it created its own entrance at 134 West 51st Street.

The City University of New York's central administration evaluated BMCC the same year, and it found that student grades were inflated to such an extent that they were essentially meaningless.

[10] On the morning of September 11, 2001, BMCC's students, teachers, and staff members heard explosions coming from the direction of the World Trade Center, which was located just a few blocks away.

Due to its larger base of capital compared to most other two-year colleges, expansion of new campuses during the rebuilding of Fiterman Hall was possible.

Internal programs have also been created or expanded to help with academic advisement, provide online access for registration, transferring to other colleges, and job placement.

[19] Among other issues are improving the retention and graduation rate, as well as the increased financial and academic burdens of a remedial program.

[26] During the September 11 attacks, the building's structure was heavily compromised by debris from the collapse of 7 World Trade Center, and the renovation was never completed.

Since traditional demolition would result in an unacceptable environmental impact, the building was scheduled for deconstruction and decontamination as a part of the Lower Manhattan redevelopment project.

[27] Fiterman Hall was to be replaced by a new building designed by the architectural firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners[28] after the deconstruction, and was scheduled to be completed by February 2007.

The Panthers are a member of the community college section of the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC).

[citation needed] BMCC offers a large state-of-the-art recreation facility including a regulation basketball court, swimming pool, and weight room.