Community College Journal - August/September 2018

8 | COMMUNITY COLLEGE JOURNAL AACC.NCHE.EDU SPOT LIGH T

Im a ge C re d i t : B MC C/ L o u i sC h a n

At sporting events, mascots get fans hyped up and engaged with the game. At community colleges, mascots are used to get students engaged with the institution.

Take, for instance, Manny the Panther, the official (non-verbal) “spokescreature” for Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) in New York. The college does have athletics, but Manny is there for all students and participates in many non-athletic events, including welcome events during the first week of the fall semester and commencement.

“We’re using the face, character and personality to stand out for us and have a really big physical presence and identity,” says Marva Craig, BMCC’s vice president for student affairs. “Even though it’s not talking, it says a lot.”

INTRODUCING MANNY

The panther had been part of BMCC since the

1960s, and had a fierce look. The college recently decided it was time the panther got a makeover and a new name.

“While we liked the fierceness, we also wanted to cultivate the warmth and friendliness,” Craig explains.

Students were given a chance to take part in naming the mascot, and many jumped at the chance. More than 3,000 students voted in an email survey. Manny—short for Manhattan— easily beat out Hudson, Pat the Panther and Professor Paws.

It was important to hear the voices of the stu-
dents, Craig says, because “by ourselves, the staff
would not have chosen Manny.”
And introducing Manny to the college com-
munity became an unforgettable event. Manny
was introduced at the annual State of the College
address. The mascot shyly took his place on stage
before breaking into a dance and even getting out-
going President Antonio Pérez to join in.

“Our president danced with the mascot. Do we remember the speech? No. Do we remember he danced with the mascot? Yes,” Craig says.

The mascot also is now tied to programs on campus. BMCC’s program for first-generation students is named Panther Partners. And the students voted to name the food pantry the Panther Pantry, which helps to make it more welcoming and removes some of the stigma, according to Craig.

Manny the Panther has become a message board for the college and a marketing tool. But the mascot also has meaning for the students, helping them feel part of the college community.

“Our goal is for students to be connected,” Craig says.

PROVIDING A SHARED EXPERIENCE

Terra State Community College doesn’t currently have any athletic programs, but it is getting its first, true mascot.

Though the costumed Terra Thundercat would appear at “random” on-campus events, it was never considered an official mascot, but rather “just something they thought would be fun,” says Amanda Pochatko, marketing manager for the Ohio college.