Happy holidays from the Hostos Community College Foundation! This time of year, we celebrate, reflect, and give thanks. At Hostos Community College, we are so grateful for friends like you who help make transformative education accessible for our students.

This year has brought remarkable achievements. The College boosted its retention by 9% and overall enrollment nearly 3% while colleges across the country saw enrollment decline. Aspira Capital Management and the Wright Foundation finalized a $1 million endowment for students pursuing STEM majors. The Golf Outing Classic and CUNYTuesday events both surpassed their fundraising goals, and the Center for Arts and Culture is overseeing a new chapter for the Hostos Art Gallery after culminating a 23-year residency of the Bronx Council on the Arts. All these things are wonderful news for Hostos and its students, and they lay the groundwork for more amazing accomplishments in the second half of the 2025 academic year.

As a supporter and friend of the College, you are a fundamental part of ensuring that Hostos remains a gateway to opportunity, socioeconomic mobility, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning. A year-end gift to the Hostos Community College Foundation supports scholarships, programs, and resources that help our students achieve their dreams.

Thank you for being such an important part of our Hostos family and for taking a minute to catch up on our latest news and events. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and an amazing new year!

RECENT EVENTS

On Tuesday, December 3, generous faculty, staff, and friends of Hostos helped raise more than $66,000 in support of our CUNYTuesday campaign, which enhances student scholarship offerings and strengthens Hostos’ educational mission. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the donors who graciously showed their support. Your contributions helped Hostos surpass our goal and rank third among CUNY community colleges for fundraising on CUNYTuesday. Students also took a moment to express their gratitude to faculty and staff who have made a difference in their lives by writing cards for our Thank You campaign.

We are especially grateful to Stuart and Randi Feiner for their incredibly generous donation, which included a $10,000 matching gift to inspire further giving, and to the New York Yankees, whose gift of 500 $25 grocery vouchers will boost students’ mental and physical well-being as they prepare for finals.

If you were unable to donate on CUNYTuesday, it is not too late! You can still make a gift and make a difference by contributing here.

185 Students Receive Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanks to Hostos One-Stop Program!

The Health and Wellness Office’s One-Stop Program, in partnership with the Hostos Student Government Association, the Student Leadership Academy, and Phi Theta Kappa, proudly hosted another heartwarming Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway. Under the dedicated leadership of One-Stop Coordinator Madeline Cruz and a team of tireless volunteers, this initiative brought nourishment and care to 185 students and their families. Each received a meal package with turkey or chicken, fresh produce, and various sides.

Thanks to the generous support of the New York Yankees, every student also received a $25 supermarket food voucher. The Health and Wellness Office, One-Stop, SGA, SLA, and Phi Theta Kappa are grateful to the volunteers, including Development Officer Idelsa Méndez, who made this such a joyful and spirited event for students and their families. We appreciate the many generous individual and institutional donors that support the Food Pantry at Hostos, including the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, the Food Bank of New York, The Fund for the City of New York, New York City Council, the New York Yankees.

Remembering Elba Cabrera

On Thursday, November 21, members of the Hostos family and the Hostos Community College Foundation Board gathered to share memories of founding Board member Elba Cabrera. The intimate reception in the Hostos Art Gallery reflected on Elba’s lifetime of advocacy for the South Bronx and twenty-one years of service on the Board of the Foundation. Friends and family shared stories and memories of a life filled with passion, love, and pride in her Puerto Rican heritage. After the gathering, many guests joined President Cocco De Filippis and other college leaders in the A-Atrium to witness the unveiling of the Hostos Champions Hall of Fame, which includes Elba among ten extraordinary friends of the College. Thank you to all who joined us to remember this beloved icon of our community.

If you’d like to make a gift in remembrance of Elba, consider supporting La Madrina de las Artes Fund for the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture.

“Our people must know our value and build upon the wonderful legacy left by my mom and titís.”

- Paul Mondesiere, Elba’s son

SAVE THE DATE FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

THE HOSTOS CENTER FOR THE ARTS & CULTURE NEWS

HCAC Seeking Community Input

On Wednesday December 11, the HCAC hosted its first of several community input events. Students, faculty, and staff were encouraged to share their vision for the HCAC. Director Felix Arocho is grateful to all those who attended and looks forward to implementing some of the ideas that surfaced. Be on the lookout for more events for gathering input from students, faculty, staff, and the broader Hostos community in the spring semester.



Alumni News

The Hostos Community College Alumni Spotlight series highlights the remarkable impact that our graduates have on our communities.

Our most recent spotlight was Richard Izquierdo ’07. Born in the South Bronx in 1976, during a time that many called the “burning” years, in the aftermath of the fires when the Bronx was burning, he witnessed firsthand the fight for survival and dignity in the South Bronx. “It was a time of activism where leaders emerged from the Puerto Rican community to fight for better healthcare, education for our children, and so many other things.” His story is a powerful reminder of the resilience and unity that have defined our institution, making it a fitting celebration for Puerto Rican Heritage Month. Read his story and listen to a clip from his interview here.

If you are or know a former student we should interview for our spotlight, reach out to Alumni Relations Manager Felix Sánchez at fsanchez@hostos.cuny.edu.

Thanks for Laughing Along with Us

Thank you to everyone who came to SoBro Gardens on Thursday, November 14 for the Hostos Laugh-A-ThON. Follow @hostosalumni on Instagram and X and Hostos Community College Alumni on LinkedIn to see pictures from the night and learn about upcoming events.

SCHOLARSHIP NEWS

The Open Borders Scholarship

This need-based scholarship was established by Professor Emeritus Henry Lesnick for all matriculated students, including students without status, who are taking ESL classes.

Professor Lesnik retired in 2021 and established the Open Borders Scholarship in 2022. During his time at Hostos, he was an active member in multiple national professional organizations, chairing committees, organizing presentations, and publishing in journals. Professor Lesnick helped organize the Hostos committee to stop English only and worked to defeat the national effort to pass the English language amendment (ELA). He spoke to the NY State Senate Education Committee on the discriminatory and educationally destructive effects of the amendment.

Since 2022, eight students have received $1,000 awards.

“This [scholarship] isn't just about financial assistance; it is the beacon guiding my pursuit of educational and professional excellence. I'm determined to combine my passion with skills to bring about real change for people. Your confidence in my potential not only paves the way for my aspirations but also helps me give back to the community that's been so welcoming to my family and me.”

- Fatiha, Dental Hygiene Student

Scholarships, like this one, foster a sense of belonging for our students and are a critical resource to support equitable access to higher education. If you would like to learn more about creating a scholarship with unique criteria, contact Development Officer Idelsa Méndez at imendez@hostos.cuny.edu or 718-518-4341.