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BIC DezMax Scholarship

BIC's DezMax Scholarship is awarded annually to BIC students who embody the cause-driven character of BICster Desmond Maxwell, who died a few months before graduating with BIC’s inaugural class of 2015. Each year, BIC awards up to $4,000 to a BIC student/s who most successfully creates a communications-based solution to a societal problem and whose submission embodies the spirit of Dez, a Harlem native, proud Marine, and CCNY alum.
 
ELIGIBILITY >> Students currently enrolled in the MPS program in Branding + Integrated Communications (BIC) are may apply after their first semester in the BIC program and if they meet the following criteria:
  • Demonstrated academic excellence (3.5 BIC GPA).
  • Evidence of serious personal dedication to chosen cause and/or a proven record of leadership shown in and outside of the classroom.
  • Being able to demonstrate financial need will strengthen an applicant’s submission.
SUBMISSION ELEMENTS >> Eligible students should submit 1) a 250-word abstract outlining their proposal; 2) a digital pitch presentation of their communications-based solution that makes the case for why this product/service/mission has value. Include traditional elements of a pitch deck (including research, strategic goals, and concrete product proposal) while being mindful of BIC’s Virtuous Circle. The format could be a dynamic slide show (10-20 slides) or video case study (5-8 minutes long) – or a combination of the two; and 3) a brief personal statement tying their proposal to their personal passion.
 
ORIGINALITY >> The proposal must be original to you. It’s okay to submit an idea that was geminated in a class, with a team, or for another competition, but it must then be more fully developed exclusively by the individual applying for the scholarship. In other words, it must be a passion project that is “OWNABLE” to you. And remember: submissions will be judged on how well they meet the spirit of the DezMax “Cause + Charisma” Scholarship which means that they must be framed specifically for this scholarship.
 
APPLYING FOR THE DezMax SCHOLARSHIP
 
Please submit your statement and video to Professor Nancy R. Tag, bic@ccny.cuny.edu, by December 30th. The BIC Admissions Committee will select winner/s by Mid-January. The Desmond Maxwell Cause + Charisma Scholarship will be applied directly to the subsequent Spring semester’s tuition.
 
MAKING A DONATION
 
The DezMax fund is administered through the City College Fund. Please go to this link to donate. Please be sure that “Desmond Maxwell Scholarship” is selected in the Designation dropdown.

THANKS TO OUR DONORS >> Special appreciation to GroupM which has pledged $5,000 every year for five years.

Extra gratitude to Rob Norman—not just for his heartfelt contributions, but for his encouragement to others to donate.