Volume I | January 29, 2026 | | |
Dear Hostos Alumni,
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Hostos Community College Alumni Newsletter—a space created by and for our alumni community. We are proud to launch this new platform as a way to celebrate your stories, amplify your voices, and stay connected to the powerful legacy we continue to build together.
This newsletter is rooted in collaboration. It reflects the talent, insight, creativity, and resilience that define Hostos alumni across fields, generations, and communities. Whether you graduated recently or decades ago, you remain an essential part of the Hostos family, and this publication exists to honor that connection.
We’re excited to share early information about the 2026 Alumni Homecoming, an opportunity for us to reunite on campus, celebrate milestones, and strengthen our alumni network. Additionally, we’ve included an update on the current status of the Hostos Alumni ID Card. You’ll also find an Alumni Spotlight, highlighting an alum whose journey and impact exemplify the strength of our community.
In this first issue, you will read six original articles and reflections submitted by alumni, each offering a unique perspective shaped by lived experience and creative vision.
This newsletter is just the beginning. Our hope is that it becomes a space where alumni feel seen, celebrated, and inspired to stay engaged with Hostos and with one another.
Thank you for being part of this launch, and for continuing to carry the Hostos legacy forward.
The Hostos Community College Office of Alumni Relations and the Hostos Community College Alumni Advisory Council.
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We are happy to share that Hostos Community College will host its first Alumni Homecoming in more than a decade. This special gathering will bring alumni, faculty, and friends together for a day full of connection, inspiration, and renewed pride in our community.
Thanks to the generous leadership gifts of Ifeanyi Obinali, President of LEAD Security, and Benny Lorenzo, Managing Partner of Aspira Capital Management, we are able to bring this tradition back and begin shaping Homecoming into an annual celebration for the Hostos family.
Homecoming will offer opportunities to:
- Reconnect with classmates, faculty, and friends
- Build your social and professional networks
- Celebrate the Hostos spirit and all we share as a community
Reserve your spot today for September 26, 2026! Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the half-price $25 Early Bird rate until June 30. Beginning July 1, tickets will be available for $50.
| | 2025 Hostos Alumni Mixer - Holiday Edition | | |
The Hostos Alumni Mixer: Holiday Edition, held on December 17, 2025 at the Hostos Gallery, was a wonderful success. The gallery space was filled with laughter, conversation, and a true sense of community as alumni reconnected, met new faces, and celebrated the season together. Festive décor, great music, and beautifully arranged spaces created an inviting atmosphere that encouraged everyone to mingle and enjoy the evening.
Guests gathered around high‑top tables, exchanged stories, posed for group photos, and shared in the joy of being back on campus. The vibrant energy seen throughout the event reflects the strength and spirit of our growing alumni network.
We look forward to creating even more opportunities like this in the year ahead as we continue building community, strengthening connections, and celebrating all that Hostos alumni contribute to the world.
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Alumni ID Card Update
The ID system at Hostos Community College was recently upgraded, and as part of this transition, all students, faculty, and staff are currently in the process of replacing their campus ID cards. As this rollout continues, the Alumni ID program remains on hold.
The Office of Alumni Relations will notify the entire alumni community once alumni become eligible to apply for the updated ID, including details on fees, required steps, and how to complete the application process.
We appreciate your patience as the College completes this important systemwide upgrade and looks forward to sharing more information soon. For any questions, please contact us at (718) 518‑4180.
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Alumni Spotlight
Hostos alumna Dr. Paule Valery Joseph '05 continues to make an extraordinary impact as a tenured senior investigator at the National Institutes of Health, where she leads pioneering research on taste, smell, and human health. Her accomplishments have earned her national recognition—including being named one of CUNY’s 50 Under 50 honorees.
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The Education That Changed Me
My time at Hostos Community College was not just about earning credits or preparing for my next degree; it was about survival, growth, and becoming the person I am today. As a first‑generation student balancing school, leadership, and family responsibilities, I found that Hostos became more than a campus. It became a place where I felt understood, supported, and challenged to grow with purpose.
Hostos taught me that education is deeply connected to empathy. In my classrooms, professors made space for real conversations about identity, hardship, and ethics and encouraged us to think about how our knowledge impacts others. I learned that success is not only measured by grades, but by how we treat people and how we show up for our communities. That lesson stays with me every day.
Serving in student leadership shaped me in ways I never expected. Representing students meant listening to difficult stories, advocating during moments of crisis, and learning how to lead with compassion rather than ego. Hostos showed me that leadership is rooted in accountability, empathy, and courage, especially when standing up for those whose voices are often ignored.
Transitioning to Baruch College was a big step, Baruch is a place that pushes me intellectually, exposes me to new perspectives, and challenges me to think bigger about my future. The academic rigor, professional opportunities, and vibrant campus life have helped me grow in confidence and ambition. Because of Hostos, I arrived at Baruch prepared not just academically, but ethically and emotionally to thrive in a larger institution.
I now move through Baruch with pride in where I come from and excitement for where I am going. Hostos gave me my foundation; Baruch is helping me build on it. Together, they have shaped my journey into one grounded in empathy, purpose, and possibility.
Dainma Martinez '25
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Finding Strength in the Gaps: A Personal Reflection
on Low-Income Communities, Resources, and Trust
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Growing up in a low-income community has shaped the way I see fairness, opportunity, and the meaning of support. When people talk about “under-resourced neighborhoods,” they often picture statistics or headlines but for me, it was daily life. It was the empty shelves in after-school programs because funding was cut again. It was parks with broken equipment, classrooms without updated textbooks, and families stretching every dollar just to cover the basics. These weren’t abstract issues they were reminders that some communities are expected to survive far less than others.
What stands out most from my own experience is how deeply a lack of resources affects the spirit of a community. When schools don’t have enough counselors, students feel the weight alone. When youth centers close early, young people have fewer safe spaces and more opportunities to fall into trouble. When jobs are scarce, families are forced to choose between long work hours and being present for their children. These gaps don’t just create inconvenience, they create cycles. And too often, those cycles are misunderstood by people who’ve never had to live within them.
Police community relations add another layer to this reality. In many low-income neighborhoods, interactions with police are defined more by fear than by trust. I remember the tension that would rise whenever a patrol car slowed down on our block. Even when no crime had occurred, people felt watched rather than protected. Part of this comes from generations of uneven treatment seeing officers focus more on controlling a neighborhood than investing in it. For many of us, safety didn’t come from authority; it came from neighbors who looked out for each other, shared food when someone was short, or walked kids home after dark.
But despite the challenges, these communities are far from hopeless. In fact, some of the strongest and most resilient people I know came from the same circumstances. We found strength in each other, in the teachers who went above and beyond, the parents working two or three jobs, and the local leaders who fought tirelessly for resources we deserved. What we need and still need is not pity, but investment. Real support. Fair access. And police who see us not as threats, but as partners in creating safer, thriving neighborhoods.
Writing about these issues matters to me because they shaped who I am. I believe that when we acknowledge both the struggles and the strengths of low-income communities, we open the door to real change. And by sharing our personal experiences, we remind others that behind every statistic is a story—one that deserves to be heard, respected, and acted on.
Anayza Piedra '24
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Who Was Lorena Borjas?
Lorena Borjas was a Mexican American transgender woman born on May 29, 1960, in Veracruz, Mexico. Throughout her lifetime, she endured many struggles and hardships, much like many Hispanic immigrants. She came from a family of seven brothers who were raised within a culture shaped by strong Hispanic machismo and taboos. During her childhood, she felt different and struggled with her inner feelings in an effort to conform to her family’s traditions.
Within many Hispanic families, boys are expected to marry, and their roles are clearly defined. Lorena ultimately decided to come to the United States in search of a better future and a better life for herself as a woman. Upon arriving in the U.S., she encountered many of the same challenges faced by immigrants, including language barriers, limited opportunities as a transgender woman, and very few resources for the community. These challenges also included her experiences in prison as a survivor of human trafficking (2017). Rather than allowing these experiences to defeat her, she used them to empower herself and others through advocacy. Alongside her colleague Dennis Camacho, she pioneered the establishment of a transgender support group under the Syringe Exchange Program (SEP) in Queens.
This support group was attended by more than 70 individuals each week and included educational workshops. Ms. Borjas recruited participants from local clubs throughout Queens, New York. The program not only provided critical support to the transgender community but also served as a bridge to other programs and resources, including HIV testing and additional services. Lorena’s vision was to help individuals gain legal status, obtain work permits, and raise awareness that transgender women can achieve successful careers. She hoped to help others avoid the many pitfalls and hardships she herself endured. Above all, she wanted to give voice and recognition to a population she held close to her heart.
Ms. Borjas consistently ensured that sex workers, a group often neglected and marginalized by society, received support. She guided them by sharing available resources, helping them understand and resolve their legal status, and advocating for their rights as immigrants. Lorena was not only a transgender and immigrant activist, but also a dedicated leader determined to change the world by sacrificing herself for the benefit of others.
She earned numerous accomplishments throughout her life, including five proclamations and a pardon from Governor Cuomo in 1994. She was a fighter and a leader who will forever be remembered as the “Mother of the Trans Latinx Community” in Queens.
As an alumnus of Hostos Community College, I carry her story with deep admiration. Lorena’s courage, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others remind me of the values that shaped my own journey at Hostos. Her determination to create space, opportunity, and dignity for marginalized communities continues to inspire my work, my voice, and my sense of responsibility as a graduate who believes in advancing equity and justice.
Eduardo Sanchez '00
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My name is Kelly Snider, and I am a proud Hostos Community College alumna. For a long time, I believed my future would follow a traditional path in city employment. But after years of reflection, I made the decision to step away from the city job field and instead invest my time, energy, and heart into something that had always been a part of me—giving back to my community.
I started working with children and families at 19 years old, simply because I loved it. What began as volunteering “for fun” slowly grew into a lifelong commitment to youth, creativity, and care. At the time, I never imagined that this passion would one day become We Do It Too, a tax-exempt nonprofit organization serving young people across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Brooklyn through arts, wellness, and mentorship programs.
Over the years, the work has grown, and so has the impact. I’ve been honored to receive leadership awards from New York State Assemblymembers, recognizing my dedication to youth development and community engagement. In late 2025, We Do It Too also received seed funding from The RealReal, which helped lay the foundation for the organization’s next chapter and affirmed that community-rooted work matters.
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been witnessing growth over time. Some of the students I began working with when they were in elementary school are now college graduates. Watching them evolve into confident adults has been one of the most powerful reminders of why long-term mentorship and consistency matter.
Life can be fully circled in bits and pieces. Like for instance when I began city job number five and it happened to be located just three blocks from Hostos. Causing me to face the reality of me not actively using my degree from 9-5 p.m. as far as the workfield. Then fast forward two years into that job where I meet a fellow Hostos alumna who connected me with the most inspiring women of the decade, right there at Hostos! These instances were a sign I took seriously. This past holiday season I made the decision to stop trading my time for money and not look back.
Hostos continues to hold a special place in my heart, particularly the early childhood education program, which shaped how I approach youth development. I am deeply interested in collaborating with fellow early childhood major alumni—educators and caregivers who understand the importance of early learning and want to extend that knowledge into community-based work beyond traditional settings.
Choosing passion over predictability wasn’t always easy, but it has been deeply rewarding. Through We Do It Too, I continue to learn, grow, and give back—guided by the same joy and purpose that first led me to serve my community all those years ago.
Kelly Snider '16
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SILENCIO
¡Hagan silencio!
Hagan un alto
Apaguen el radio
Corran las cortinas
Abran las puertas.
¡Hagan silencio!
Enciendan fuego
Hiervan agua
Cuelen café
¡Hagan silencio!
Vistan de luto
Busquen sillas
Saquen el rosario
Prendan velas
¡Hagan silencio!
No lloren todavía
Es una melancolía
El cadaver por la vía
¡Silencio! ¡Silencio!
Repique de campanas
¡Silencio! ¡Silencio!
Ana Maria Gonzalez '99
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Successfully Yours
This poem is dedicated to alumni who are still pursuing their dreams or have had life take an unexpected detour. Success is personal and is worthy of being celebrated regardless of the goal and impact. Whether continuing your higher education journey, being financially secure, establishing a stable career or simply finding peace, a win is a win!
If no one has helped you celebrate your wins, let me be the first… Cheers to continuing to move towards your personal and professional goals and striving for the success that most resonates to you. Your success is your own… So, own it!
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Success is subjective and unique to you and me
Life is a journey of becoming who You choose to be
Every decision, opportunity, and option a choice
Allowing You to speak from Your heart’s voice
Every failure and victory lead closer to truth
Of what you most value and keeps You true blue
Each battle You fought to keep moving on
Is resonant of Your desire to claim what You long
No matter the goal or impact, big or small
Every single feat reflects You gave it Your all
At times You may fear things won’t go Your way
Grasping the spark of hope will keep you from being led astray
As it continues to drive You forward with concerted focus
A time will come where you will realize Your life’s purpose
Whatever Your journey, new or revisited
Any success You achieve is worthy of being celebrated!!!
Tanya Navarro '08
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Want to Be Part of Our Next Newsletter?
We would love to showcase your voice. If you are interested in contributing to the next edition of the Hostos Alumni Newsletter, coming out in late March, we invite you to join us as a collaborator. You can share a story, highlight an accomplishment, or submit a creative piece. Your participation helps strengthen our alumni community.
Simply click the button below to submit your interest or upload your work. We look forward to hearing from you.
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The Alumni Fund for Student Transfer Scholarship (AFSTS) plays a vital role in helping graduating Hostos students continue their educational journey at a four‑year institution of their choice. Your generosity can open doors for talented and motivated students who are ready to build on their Hostos experience and pursue the next step toward a bachelor’s degree.
By supporting this fund, you are making a meaningful investment not only in a student’s future but also in the lasting value of your own Hostos education. Every success story strengthens the impact and pride of being part of the Hostos community.
This scholarship helps cover tuition, fees, books, transportation, childcare, and other academic‑related expenses for students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who have been accepted to a four‑year institution and meet the application requirements.
Your contribution can make that next chapter possible.
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