Friday, December 8, 2023 | Vol. 7, No. 14

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS

My Dear Colleagues and Students,

It is good to have the opportunity to write a few words of encouragement as we begin the last couple of weeks of classes but also holiday celebrations. 

I know I am preaching to the choir when I tell you all — students, faculty and staff — to ensure that all continuing students are pre-registered for the Spring 2024 semester.  Invitations for reviews, mentoring and support for preparations for final papers and exams are shared regularly. Please do take advantage of the opportunities before you.

This week we celebrated our common humanity and best wishes for peace and brother and sisterhood in the Peace and Poetry reading on December 7, an event created by the Writing Center faculty and students, and supported by my office and many colleagues and friends. “Gracias” does not begin to express my feelings. That same evening, we came together as a community to welcome the Kwanzaa celebrations to prepare for the December 26th holiday. I look forward to seeing you all next Thursday, at 3 p.m., in the Repertory Theater as we come together and celebrate Manos a la Obra/All Hands on Deck and our second annual talent show!

As I write these words, the beginning of Chanukah is shining its light of love and peace on all of us.



In solidarity,

Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.

President

A POEM TO CELEBRATE CHANUKAH AS WE LIGHT THE MENORAH

“The Coming of Light”

By Mark Strand

Even this late it happens:

the coming of love, the coming of light.

You wake and the candles are lit as if by themselves,

stars gather, dreams pour into your pillows,

sending us warm bouquets of air.

Even this late the bones of the body shine

and tomorrow’s dust flares into breath.

From www.romper.com, “There’s a magical quality to it, with words that conjure images of starry skies and infinite belief.”  Romper, Poem 3.

MESSAGE FROM THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA) PRESIDENT DAINMA MARTINEZ

Hello Everyone,

I hope you’re having a shining Friday! 

On Tuesday, November 21, there was a huge event: the SGA/PTK/SLA Thanksgiving Giveaway. The SGA, in collaboration with One Stop, gave bags of holiday items to students on campus for the Thanksgiving holiday, along with officials of the Phi Theta Kappa-Alpha Kappa Tau Chapter (PTK) and members of the Hostos Student Leadership Academy (SLA). Many other members of the community came together to give out food for the holiday.

I'd like to remind students once more that the SGA is supporting eighteen (18) $500 scholarships. There are six merit-based scholarships, six need-based scholarships, and six hardship awards. All scholarships are now available on the Scholarships page: Our Opportunities - Hostos Community College Scholarships (academicworks.com). There are several additional scholarships available on the website. As I often tell many students, please use the resources that Hostos has to offer since they are there for all of us. Take advantage of this opportunity!

As always, I hope that everyone will be able to attend future events. I'd like to insist on the power of the following quote:

“Life is short. People are not easy to know. They're not easy to know, so if you don't tell them how you feel, you're not going to get anywhere, I feel.”― Nina Simone

Sincerely,

Dainma Martínez

CAIMAN CLUES

Weekly Tips & Reminders to Navigate Life at Hostos

The semester is almost over, and there’s still so much going on! Be sure to check out the Winter Festival. Set a reminder on your calendar so you don’t miss out on the fun! 

• Winter Festival: Join the Family Empowerment Program (FEP) to celebrate the holiday season on December 20, from 2 – 7 p.m., in the gym (C-building, third floor). RSVP here by December 18, or email chfrancis@hostos.cuny.edu. 

MS. MACKENZIE SCOTT’S GIFT: PRESIDENT’S INITIATIVES

Submitted by Sofia Oviedo, Ph.D., Research Programs Director

I hope that all is well as we head into the last few weeks of the fall semester and final exams. Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives are progressing well and continue to offer opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to become involved. The Peace & Poetry event that was held this week provided such a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and be inspired by the transcendent power of verses to elevate us as we envision a hopeful future for all. Last week, the Hostos Research Center hosted a special presentation by Professor William Casari of La Lucha – The Save Hostos Movement Online Exhibit, which showcases the incredible history of the struggle to keep the College alive amidst unprecedented social and economic challenges and the resilient spirit of not giving up that still permeates our collective conscience to this day. If you did not have the opportunity to attend the event, click here to see the exhibit. Upcoming deadlines for grant opportunities are provided below.

Grant Funding Opportunities

For students, faculty, and staff that are interested in applying for a mini-grant through the Educating for Diversity Initiative, please use the link provided here to access the application form (use CUNYfirst login to access).

The application deadline has been extended until Wednesday, December 13, by 11:59 p.m.

The Hostos Research Center has issued a new Call for 2024 ADELANTE Project Proposals. Faculty and staff are invited to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to support projects that advance research, need-based, and/or creative/transformative interventions in all disciplines, and proposals that aim to conduct research on critical issues impacting the South Bronx.

Click here to access the full Call for Proposals. The application deadline is February 2, 2024.

Sincerely,

Sofia Oviedo, Ph.D.

OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT (OIERA)

Submitted by Dean Babette Audant, Ph.D.

Correlations of Faculty Advisement, Community-building, Retention and Completion  

All Hostos students are assigned an advisor from College Discovery (CD), Student Success Coaching Unit (SSCU), or ASAP. The CD and ASAP models integrate required individual and group advisement events; SSCU is building on the required preliminary enrollment advisement event towards a minimum of three advising events per semester (a Strategic Plan goal informed by feedback received from Middle States, and the Aspen Institute).  

In addition to advisors, students are advised by staff in Financial Aid, Athletics, Career Services, and Transfer Services, to name a few. These advising “events” are rarely documented and/or communicated to other advisors — formal and informal — although their cadence can be predictable: for example, students might work with Career Services staff one-on-one to complete a CV and review career options. Transfer Services guides students’ transfer plans. Athletics liaises with faculty and support services to ensure student-athletes maintain minimum GPAs and address barriers to success. Et al. 

Faculty play an essential and powerful role in advisement; effective models at community colleges often integrate clear roles for both advising units and faculty advising (i.e., Community College of Philadelphia and Cleveland State Community College). Students trust faculty, and even the informal advice passed on in class makes a positive difference (CCCSE 2018; McArthur 2005; Heraver 2009). Hostos faculty often advise students, with models differing across programs. For example, in addition to in-class advice and information sharing, Game Design faculty host open houses to orient new students and welcome back continuing students once a semester. Students in Engineering dual joint degree programs are supported by the Dual Degree Advising coordinator, as well as faculty and staff affiliated with CSTEP/STEP, BMI and other tutoring and mentoring resources. Students pursuing an education degree receive advice from faculty tailored to their career and academic goals, and new resources, including an Education Program Map are being developed to support and systematize these practices. The Allied Health faculty work closely with students, serving as mentors and advisors. Nationally, retention is positively correlated with advisement models that integrate faculty and staff advisors, a correlation that is largely consistent with findings at Hostos; programs that provide intentional and consistent faculty advisement are often correlated with higher-than-average retention.  

A challenge for Hostos is documenting these high-impact practices and providing support to expand them to ensure equitable access to all students, regardless of degree program. A related challenge of ensuring that advisors and faculty are aware of how each role supports students is being addressed by the faculty-advisor liaison model, now in its second year.  ​

POLICY OF THE WEEK

Highlighting CUNY Policies You Should Know

Submitted by Executive Counsel and Labor Designee Eugene Sohn, Esq.

Announcement on Acceptance of Gifts

Please be reminded that The City University of New York (“CUNY” or the “University”) Conflicts of Interest Policy and the New York State Public Officers Law prohibit the acceptance of gifts of more than nominal value from interested sources. Accordingly, as a CUNY employee you may not solicit or accept such gifts, either directly or indirectly, from any interested source, regardless of whether the gift was intended to influence or reward you.

For purposes of this communication, interested sources include vendors, students, parents, and publishers. Interested sources are persons and business entities with which CUNY or its constituent schools and colleges are doing business, and also those persons and business entities interested in doing business with CUNY or its constituent schools and colleges. Interested sources even include those persons and business entities that have a history of doing business with CUNY or any of its constituent schools or colleges in the recent past.

The New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (“COELIG” or the “Commission”) excludes from the definition of “gift” any food or beverage worth $15 or less, and any promotional items with no resale value such as calendars or pens. This exclusion has no restriction on place, purpose or source. Any perishable gifts worth more than $15, such as fruit baskets or other food, must be either returned to the sender, donated to charity, or placed in a common area of the office. Non-perishable gifts must be returned to the sender. Holiday parties hosted by interested sources may not be attended without prior approval from your ethics officer. 

For more information, please see the Commission’s “Ethics Reminder: Tis the Season to Remember the Ethics Rules for Gifts” and “Ethics Reminder: Accepting Gifts – yes and no.”

Additionally, CUNY’s Conflicts of Interest Policy and the New York State Public Officers Law also prohibit gifts from CUNY subordinates to CUNY supervisors (this term includes managers, directors, deans, provosts, and all executive staff titles). Such gifts from subordinates may give an appearance of impropriety or give the impression that someone may improperly influence a decision-maker. There is no prohibition on supervisors giving modest gifts to their subordinates as tokens of their appreciation.

The CUNY policy and state law regarding gifts apply to all CUNY employees, including faculty. For more information, go here.

If you have any questions regarding CUNY’s and the Commission’s interpretation of the law, we encourage you to ask before you act. Please contact your Campus Ethics Officer here.

If you receive a non-perishable gift, please send it back to the person/entity along with this sample letter.

The Commission’s detailed regulations about Gifts are referenced in Title 19 NYCRR Part 933.

For additional information regarding gifts, please see the Commission’s website on gifts here. 

OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Submitted by Director Eric Radezky, Ph.D.

NYC Housing Connect – Affordable Housing Lotteries

NYC Housing Connect is New Yorkers’ portal to find and apply for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities across the five boroughs of New York City.  Find out more about NYC Housing Connect here.

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) create affordable housing opportunities for many household income levels and sizes. The buildings are privately owned. HPD and HDC have a monitoring and oversight role.

Visit NYC Housing Connect to register, sign up for email alerts, access a list of frequently asked questions, and find and apply for affordable housing opportunities. Click here to see the current lottery listings available on NYC Housing Connect.

OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY (OCD)

Submitted by Chief Diversity Officer, Title IX Coordinator, and 504/ADA Coordinator Philip Oliveri, Esq.

Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course for Both Employees (E-SPARC) and Students (SPARC)



All employees and students are required to complete the Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course (“E-SPARC” for employees and “SPARC” for students).  These are web-based training programs developed by the State University of New York in partnership with the City University of New York to satisfy the New York State requirement that every college must adopt a comprehensive orientation and ongoing education campaign to educate students and employees about sexual misconduct, including domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, and sexual violence. These training programs educate students and employees about various topics relating to sexual misconduct and harassment.

If you have not yet completed your respective training, please do so as soon as possible. 

Please refer to the following links for instructions on how to access the training programs:

E-SPARC (Employees) - Hostos Community College (cuny.edu)

SPARC (Students) - Hostos Community College (cuny.edu)

UPDATES FROM CAREER SERVICES

Submitted by Lisanette Rosario, Director

Hostos Community College Hosts Inaugural Global Education & Career Showcase

Hostos Community College celebrated its first Global Education & Career Showcase on October 25, 2023. Organized by Professor Amy Ramson, COIL @ Hostos Committee Chair & PI of the GSACS grant, and Lisanette Rosario, Director of Career Services and Co-President of the Career Services Association of CUNY, the showcase highlighted the College's dedication to global education and career readiness collaborations with international partners.

The event spotlighted COIL@Hostos, a unique virtual exchange initiative enabling students to engage with peers globally, fostering 21st-century skills aligned with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness competencies. Each faculty fellow described their projects and three activities of COIL and how they benefited students. The faculty fellows also shared how their syllabi aligned with the National Association of Colleges and Employers, Career Readiness Competencies, and included experiential learning opportunities. Notable presentations featured collaborations addressing U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, including Dr. Victor Torres-Vélez's work on structural violence against women with the American University of Cairo, Dr. Anna Ivanova's research on drinking water quality in partnership with Jordan University of Science and Technology, and Dr. Helen Chang's comparative healthcare study with the Palestine Ahliya University.

Hostos student Afnan Farea, a Global Scholar who emphasized the real-world application of academic learning, offered direct insight to the audience with an engaging presentation detailing her experience as a participant. Likewise, sessions by Lisanette Rosario and Laura Hand from the Hostos Career Services Office offered insight into applications of best tools and practices, such as Grow With Google, which allowed students to develop career and technical skills to complement their programming.

The showcase concluded with a Q&A session that emphasized the importance of global education in developing future leaders and innovators. The showcase served as a reminder that Hostos Community College continues to pioneer research-based pedagogy, nurturing diverse perspectives and preparing students for global citizenship. Event sponsored by COIL and Grow with Google.

Summary and Insights from Hostos Community College's Virtual Partnerships for Success Meeting

Hostos' Career Services Office is pleased to report the success of the 8th Annual Virtual Partnerships for Success Meeting held on November 1, 2023. This annual event serves as a vital platform for fostering collaboration and dialogue among employers, faculty, students, and staff, lending insight into internship and workforce readiness.

The meeting featured insights from a diverse array of attendees, including over twenty-one (21) partners and thirty-four (34) representatives from numerous organizations such as Reading Partners, Parent Care of New York, The Fresh Air Fund, and the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS)​. Hostos Community College was also well-represented by over nineteen (19) faculty and staff, including Director of Career Services Lisanette Rosario, Dean Gruenwald, Dean Babette Audent, and Perkins Director Eileen Will; this high engagement of faculty and staff demonstrated Hostos’s ongoing commitment to strengthening employer engagement, enhancing our internship programs, and improving student outcomes. In the feedback from four (4) highly interactive mixed-industry discussion sessions, experts in attendance offered feedback on essential skills for success across industries. In response, the Hostos Career Services Office aims to integrate and strengthen these objectives in the existing curriculum throughout the coming year, taking full advantage of tools such as our Grow With Google Career Readiness Program to ensure that students are well-prepared for their professional journeys.

As the Hostos Career Services Office continues to nurture and expand our partnerships for success, we are thankful to the employers, students, staff, and faculty whose ongoing support and commitment to our students' success made this event possible.

Student Success

Telecisa McKenzie, a dedicated second-semester student, has been selected for the prestigious CUNY Women's Public Service paid Internship Program. Ms. McKenzie's achievement is truly commendable, and she will be receiving a $2000 stipend for her internship with Assemblymember Chantel Jackson. This success is a testament to Telecisa's hard work, determination, and the valuable support she received from our Career Services team. Ms. Dulce Toppenberg played a pivotal role in assisting Telecisa with her career readiness and resume, and Ms. Yolanda Soto’s guidance was instrumental in helping her navigate the internship application process. Telecisa aspires to become a politician, and her current internship is a significant step towards realizing her goals. Additionally, it's worth noting that Ms. McKenzie is also a member of the Honors Program. Wishing her the best of luck in her future!

NEWS FROM THE DIVISIONS

OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS (OAA)

Submitted by Provost and VP Shiang-Kwei Wang, Ph.D.

Hostos Presented at the Next Frontier Community Conference

Submitted by Andrea Fabrizio, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

On Friday, November 3, 20 Hostos STEM students, together with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Andrea Fabrizio, and the Natural Sciences Department faculty members, Dr. Anna Ivanova and Dr. Yoel Rodríguez attended “The Next Frontier Community Conference” organized by Base 11 (a STEM workforce and entrepreneur accelerator nonprofit organization). The trip to the conference was organized by the Liberal Arts and Sciences Associate of Science Program and sponsored by an ADELANTE grant (LAS-AS Program Coordinator Dr. Anna Ivanova (PI), Ms. Karla Contreras (Co-PI) (STEM Advising Director) and Associate Dean Dr. Andrea Fabrizio (Co-PI). The Conference took place at Long Island University in Brooklyn and was designed specifically for historically underrepresented students. Hostos students were able to attend presentations by experts in their fields, participate in break-out sessions focusing on exciting topics such as drug development and pharmacy; engineering; entertainment and sports management; finance, blockchain, and entrepreneurship; and learn about internship opportunities. 

Celebrating & Congratulating Two Hostos Library College Assistants

Submitted by Madeline Ford, Chief Librarian

Nasrin Akter, a graduate of Hostos, now attending Baruch College, passed her U.S. Citizenship exam and will take her Oath of Allegiance on Thursday, November 9.

Guillermo Virella, fondly called GV, is a graduate of Hostos and recently graduated from Lehman College. He completed his first NYC Marathon on Sunday, November 5, with a time of 6 hours, and 17 minutes. 

Hostos Library is very proud of our two shining stars!

Perkins Director Eileen Will Selected for the 2024 NextLevel Postsecondary Leadership Program

Perkins Director, Eileen Will, has been selected by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) for the 2024 NextLevel Postsecondary Leadership Program. She is the first individual selected for this honor from Hostos Community College (and the only Career and Technical Education professional from New York chosen to be a part of the current cohort). Mrs. Will, along with the other selected individuals from around the country, will be honored at this year’s Association for Career and Technical Education Vision Conference in Phoenix, Arizona taking place November 28 through December 2, 2023. 

The NextLevel Postsecondary Leadership Program is intended to develop the organizational management and leadership skills of CTE professionals across the United States, with a specific focus on addressing the needs of underserved populations. Throughout 2024, Mrs. Will will meet other CTE leaders and educators from around the country to learn about best industry practices and speak to experts regarding ways to maximize student success. The NextLevel Postsecondary Leadership Program culminates in the form of a capstone project, which will aim to improve educational outcomes at Hostos Community College for underserved CTE students. 

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (SDEM)

Submitted by VP La Toro Yates, Ph.D.

Financial Aid

New 2024–25 FAFSA® Form Coming Soon!

Major changes and improvements are coming to the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. As a result, the new form will be available in December 2023. The launch date will apply only to the 2024–25 FAFSA form. The changes to the FAFSA form for the 2024–25 aid year include:

• Expanded eligibility for federal student aid. 
• A more streamlined application process. 

Stay informed about the changes and receive up-to-date notifications and information:

• Did you fill out a FAFSA form for 2023–24? Log in to your StudentAid.gov account, and be sure we’ve got your current email address. Once the exact FAFSA launch date is announced, we expect to send out an email to students (and parents of dependent students) who applied on the 2023–24 form, reminding them to apply for 2024–25.
• Didn’t submit a 2023–24 FAFSA form? Make sure to create your StudentAid.gov account, and remember your username and password so that you can access and submit the 2024–25 FAFSA form when it is available.

CUNY CARES

CUNY CARES stands for Comprehensive Access to Resources for Essential Services. It is a new model for helping CUNY students find the campus and community-based essential services they need for health care, mental health, food, and housing. Colleges participating in the demonstration project include Bronx Community College, Hostos Community College, and Lehman College.

The Bronx is the poorest county in New York State. Consequently, students in the Bronx experience the highest rates of food insecurity and housing instability across the University. It is stated that approximately half of CUNY students in the Bronx face two or more unmet essential needs. Our goal is to help close that gap by creating a supportive environment in which students will receive the guidance and support needed to access goods and services. As more eligible students increase their awareness about CUNY CARES, unmet needs will diminish, improving student persistence, retention, and graduation rates. The CUNY CARES model provides a supportive platform to identify and assess students’ needs holistically and in a supportive way by encouraging peer-to-peer interaction with CUNY CARES navigators, who are students interested in social causes that are hired part-time to facilitate the interaction between students and administration by connecting their peers to very specific services.

Building on existing CUNY services, CUNY CARES acknowledges the fact that our colleges, the University, as well as our community partners can’t do this work alone. The demonstration project prioritizes the integration of efforts across participating entities and intends to leverage a range of new strategies, including peer advocates and navigators, faculty engagement, expanded community partnerships, career pipelines, and robust evaluation. CUNY’s long-term goal, if CUNY CARES demonstrates success in the Bronx, is to expand CUNY CARES across the University.

At Hostos Community College, our integrative efforts include representatives from across the college focused on various facets of the CUNY CARES project. Hostos Community College representatives and their respective roles in the CUNY CARES project:

• VP La Toro Yates, SDEM – Capacity building and new resources
• Dean Johanna Gomez, SDEM – Capacity building and new resources, Students supporting students
• Fabian Wander, SDEM – Community partnerships
• Madeline Cruz, SDEM – Students supporting students
• VP Evelyn Fernandez-Ketcham, CEWD – Community partnerships
• Sam Byrd, CEWD – Career success and workforce development
• Dean Babette Audant, OAA – Evaluation and research, Faculty engagement
• Lisanette Rosario, OAA – Career success and workforce development

In addition, Hostos hired two part-time CUNY CARES Campus Liaisons, Samantha Maldonado to support the One Stop program and Linda Delerme, to support the Counseling Center. Samantha can be reached at smaldonadogarcia@hostos.cuny.edu and Linda at ldelerme@hostos.cuny.edu. Samantha and Linda are able to connect students to support services offered throughout the campus for housing, food, and mental health.

For additional information or inquiries about CUNY CARES, please reach out to Madeline Cruz, One Stop Coordinator at mcruz@hostos.cuny.edu, Fabián Wander, Director of Counseling and Health & Wellness at fwander@hostos.cuny.edu or Liliana Cornejo, Interim CUNY CARES Campus Supervisor at liliana.cornejo@yorkmail.cuny.edu.

Learn more about this initiative here. 

Caiman Direct

Student Spotlight

Caiman Direct would like to shine a spotlight on an extraordinary individual who exemplifies resilience, leadership, and compassion, Jahneilia Curtin, who is an outstanding international college student hailing from the vibrant island of Jamaica!

Jahneilia is currently navigating our Nursing program's challenging yet rewarding clinical phase. Her dedication to the pursuit of excellence in healthcare is truly commendable. But that's not all — Jahneilia wears multiple hats at our campus! She proudly serves as the Executive Secretary of our SGA, representing the diverse voices of our student body. As if that wasn't impressive enough, Jahneilia goes above and beyond as a Student Advocate with the Caiman Direct Virtual Student Center, which is supported through the Jobs on Campus Initiative.

Transitioning to college is a daunting task, especially for first-year students. However, Jahneilia has been encouraging, offering support, guidance, and a friendly face to incoming and continuing students by answering questions and providing resources. She understands that the college journey may not be easy, but with the help of peers, it becomes a shared adventure.

Let's come together to celebrate Jahneilia’s achievements, dedication, and the positive impact she has made on our campus community. We are proud to have such a remarkable individual as part of our international student family!

CUNY EDGE

In November, CUNY EDGE, in collaboration with Career Services, hosted a Resume Writing and Interviewing Tips workshop. The goal was to help our CUNY EDGE students learn how to build an outstanding resume and how to excel at their next interview. Indeed, these are important topics for our CUNY EDGE students who may be seeking part-time employment as they continue their studies or for those students seeking full-time employment upon graduation. We would like to thank the Career Services office for their support. We will continue our collaboration and ensure that our students receive the resources needed to develop academically and professionally.

SDEM Events

Athletics

Cheer on your classmates!

Fall 2023 Men’s & Women’s Basketball Home Games

• TODAY! December 8: Harford Community College (Women, 6 PM)
• December 12: Nassau Community College (Women, 6 PM | Men, 8 PM)
• December 18: Prince George Community College (Women, 5 PM | Men, 7 PM)

SDEM Recurring Announcements

Enrollment is Open! 

If you need assistance enrolling, contact your Coach/Advisor and schedule a meeting through Succeed@Hostos.

Transfer Services

Come meet with Admissions advisors and prepare your transfer plans!

Virtual Transfer Application Hour

Every Tuesday, 12 – 1 PM

Zoom here. 

Transfer Talks at C-512

Every Tuesday, 2 – 3 PM 

Walk-In Wednesdays

Every Wednesday, 9 AM – 5 PM

Tabling A-Atrium

Every Thursday, 11 AM – 1 PM   

Don’t forget to follow Transfer Services on Instagram here and check out our Weekly Transfer Spotlight!

Hostos One Stop

Food Pantry

If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, please visit the Hostos Food Pantry. Appointments are available: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, contact Madeline Cruz at 718-518-4141 or at mcruz@hostos.cuny.edu.

Scholarship Opportunities

There are scholarships available, just waiting for you to apply! Click here for more information. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application process, email the Scholarship Office Coordinator, Marina Esquilin, at mesquilin@hostos.cuny.edu or call 718-518-4166.

A POEM TO INSPIRE OUR COMMUNITY

“Amen”

By James Baldwin

No, I don’t feel death coming.

I feel death going:

having thrown up his hands,

for the moment.

I feel like I know him

better than I did.

Those arms held me,

for a while,

and, when we meet again,

there will be that secret knowledge

between us.

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE (ADM)

Submitted by SVP Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne

End-Of-Semester Reminders

The vaccination clinic in the A-building lobby is available to the college community for flu and COVID shots. They are open Tuesday and Thursday from 12–5 p.m. And if you are interested in other types of vaccinations (RSV, shingles, etc.), please inform the Empass nurses at the clinic or Ursula Sanders of the Health and Wellness Center. 

The Cafeteria Vendor Search Survey link was distributed this past week to the College community. If you haven’t had a chance to complete it, please take a couple of minutes to do so now. The survey will be up through December 18. The feedback from the survey will be used in the development of the RFP for the cafeteria food vendor. We look forward to hearing from you.

Additionally, you may have noticed when passing by the cafeteria that a Farmer’s Fridge machine has been installed. It was delivered on November 27. The tech installation of hardware and software is scheduled for December 6. The machine will then undergo an adjustment period where the Fridge must cool down to a specific temperature. This cool down takes two weeks. Given the timing, with the Fall semester wrapping up and with fewer people on campus over the winter break, the Fridge will be stocked beginning the week prior to the spring semester start. Once the Farmer’s Fridge is stocked, there will be 25% off all items for the first month.

Enjoy the winter break! Spring will be right around the corner.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (CEWD)

Submitted by VP Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham, Ph.D., LCSW

CEWD’s Certified Billing and Coding Specialist Certificate Program is Available at No Cost to Students

Our Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) certificate program is available at no cost to students thanks to funding provided by CUNY Central’s Workforce Development Initiative (WDI). WDI funding was awarded to the Uptown Future of Work initiative, a collaboration between Hostos Community College, the Borough of Manhattan Community College, and Bronx Community College at CUNY in the Heights. 

As part of this initiative, CEWD was awarded $497,000 to provide CBCS certificate training to ninety (90) students over the course of three years. CEWD’s second CBCS cohort recently enrolled twenty-two (22) students. The 210-hour program covers the following subjects: Medical Office, Medical Terminology, ICD 10-CM/PCS Coding, CPT 4-Coding/Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS), Electronic Health Records, and Medical Billing for Private Practice. Students take the National Health Association (NHA) certification exam upon completing the training program. The course is designed to prepare students to work as Certified Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in outpatient medical facilities such as physicians’ offices, clinics, outpatient hospital settings, and other related healthcare facilities.

Recruitment for the Spring 2023 CBCS cohort is now open. For additional information, please contact Magdalena Ramirez-Nieves via email at maramirez@hostos.cuny.edu.  

Available Online: CEWD’s Fall 2023 Catalog

CEWD’s Fall 2023 catalog is available online. To view our catalog, please click here. This semester we are offering a variety of occupational training and educational programs in areas such as construction, education/teaching, English for Speakers of Other Languages, GED, medical and health, and technology. As part of CEWD’s commitment to making our programs accessible to the community, scholarships and no-cost programs are available to students who qualify.

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT (DIA)

Submitted by VP Colette Atkins

Thank You for Your CUNYTuesday Support!

Thank you to everyone who supported Hostos students through a gift to CUNYTuesday this year. The campaign raised $63,000, almost 40% of which came from current and former faculty and staff at the College. On behalf of the Hostos Community College Foundation, we extend gratitude to our friends at Amazon and the New York Yankees Foundation for their remarkable support which contributed significantly to the success of the day.

Throughout the day, Division of Institutional Advancement staff were in the A-building atrium accepting gifts, and at 1 p.m., we hosted Nourishing Conversations: Chef Grace Ramírez’s Journey to Combat Food Insecurity, which highlighted the Bronx’s ongoing struggles with food insecurity and how policy and philanthropy can best respond to this issue that affects the health and livelihood of families in the South Bronx. Thank you to everyone who attended this special conversation! We are grateful to Chef Grace Ramírez and PIX11’s Monica Morales for highlighting food insecurity in this community.

CUNYTuesday might have passed, but you still make a gift in support of Hostos students. Visit our CUNYTuesday site to set up a pledge or recurring gift today.

Planned Giving to Hostos

If you have thought about including Hostos in your estate planning and would like to learn more about the many ways you can have a lasting impact on Hostos students, contact Vice President of Institutional Advancement Colette Atkins by phone at 718-518-4394 or via email at catkins@hostos.cuny.edu to discuss how you can be part of the Eugenio María de Hostos Planned Giving Society.

BRAVO NEWS

Celebrating the Accomplishments of the Hostos Community

Donors Gather for Intimate Gift of Philanthropy Event

On Thursday, November 30, the Hostos Community College Foundation hosted a gathering to show appreciation for all of its donors from the past year and to celebrate their impact at Hostos. The Foundation extends its thanks to those who attended and to student Laura Cuevas and alumnus Ifeanyi Obinali for sharing their powerful stories of gratitude. The Foundation would also like to thank Treasurer Carolyn McLaughlin, former Board member Cira Ángeles, and President Daisy Cocco De Filippis for their remarks and support.

Another Successful Year of Giving!

Congratulations to the officers of the SGA, the Phi Theta Kappa-Alpha Kappa Tau Chapter, and members of the Hostos Leadership Academy, who, in collaboration with Hostos One Stop, distributed bags of holiday supplies to students at the campus for the Thanksgiving holiday. President Daisy Cocco De Filippis attended the event and, joined by SDEM VP La Toro Yates, acknowledged the work of One Stop Coordinator Madeline Cruz. All parties involved served dozens of bags. 

Special thanks to the Hostos students who helped their community on this day: 

• Karla Disla, SLA
• Luisiana Marmolejos, SLA/PTK
• Lenny Lugo Gomez, SLA/PTK
• Elizabeth Soto, SLA/PTK
• Dainma Martínez, SGA President/SLA
• Luz Begazo, PTK
• Yaxeny Hernandez, SGA/SLA/PTK
• Regina Galley, PTK
• Tiquana Keith, PTK
• Kimberly Hill, SLA/PTK
• Samily Rodríguez, PTK
• Jasmin Sanchez, SGA Senator
• Melanie Edwards, SLA
• Sakiyna Switzer, SLA Alumni/Former SGA Vice President 
• Cynthia Bongo, SLA
• Dorian Johnson, SGA Senator

HOSTOS IN THE NEWS

Congratulations to Professor Helen Chang!

Political Science Assistant Professor Helen Chang was quoted in a piece about the Bronx Council GOP win for Kristy Marmorato. Read more here. 

HOSTOS FOR EVERYONE

Free Services for the Community



Hostos Offers Free Preventive Dental Hygiene Services to the Public

The Dental Hygiene Patient Care Facility at Hostos Community College is a teaching unit that provides high-quality dental care, primarily cleanings and dental x-rays to the community, while adhering to the most current sterilization techniques. Several appointments will be needed and each may last three hours at a time.

For more information and scheduling, call 718-319-7943.



The appointment schedule is as follows: 

Mondays: 9 AM - 1 PM and 2 - 6 PM

Wednesdays: 8 AM - 12 PM and 2:30 - 6:30 PM

Fridays: 9 AM - 1 PM and 2 - 6 PM

Location: Hostos Dental Hygiene Patient Care Facility

500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY, 10451

B Building 

Note: The clinic does not provide restorative dental work such as fillings, implants, etc.



Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinic 2023

Get your flu shot! The walk-in flu vaccine clinic is open and available to students only, with or without insurance, while supplies last. No appointment necessary.

Location: Health and Wellness | A334-C

When: Mondays through Thursdays | 10 AM – 3 PM

For further information, contact Nurse Vasquez, RN, at 718-518-6542 | mavasquez@hostos.cuny.edu or Fabian Wander, LCSW, Director of Health and Wellness, at 718-518-6567 | fwander@hostos.cuny.edu.

ATHLETICS CALENDAR

Fall 2023 Men's & Women's Basketball Home Games

Cheer on your classmates!

• TODAY, December 8: Harford Community College (Women, 6 PM)
• December 12: Nassau Community College (Women, 6 PM | Men, 8 PM)
• December 18: Prince George Community College (Women, 5 PM | Men, 7 PM)

EVENTS

Title: Holiday Jazz & Latin Jazz Parranda

Date | Time: Saturday, December 9 | 8 PM

Location: Repertory Theater 

Description: The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture (HCAC) invites you to Holiday Jazz & Latin Jazz Parranda! Grammy Award-nominee and NEA Master Artist Papo Vázquez will celebrate those traditions with parranda music as well as traditional Jazz and Latin Jazz-influenced holiday songs. This is a holiday celebration of inclusivity and cultural togetherness. The concert will feature your favorite holiday songs, new arrangements, new songs, and more. This is ideal for families and for all ages. Get tickets here.

Title: Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Date | Time: Tuesday, December 12 | 2:30 PM

Location: C-building Lobby

Description: Get ready to be enchanted as the jolly old man in red, Santa, makes a joyous appearance, and join in on the festive holiday singalong! The festivities will be topped off with a special visit from our little scholars from the Hostos Children’s Center, who will delight everyone with a performance of the classic holiday favorite, "Jingle Bells." Urban Unity will be performing as well. And, of course, our majestic Christmas tree will be formally lit!

Title: All College Meeting

Date | Time: Thursday, December 14 | 3 PM

Location: Repertory Theater

Description: Join us for an end-of-semester gathering, Manos a la Obra/All Hands on Deck Awards ceremony, and a talent show.

Title: Hostos Alumni Mixer Holiday Edition

Date | Time: Thursday, December 14 | 5:30 PM

Location: Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos

Description: You are cordially invited to join Alumni Relations for a delightful evening filled with networking opportunities! Light refreshments and beverages will be served for your enjoyment. Register here. 

Title: Winter Festival

Date | Time: Wednesday, December 20 | 2–7 PM

Location: Gym (C-building, third floor)

Description: The Family Empowerment Program invites you to our Winter Festival. We cordially invite you to bring your children to celebrate with us for the holiday.

ABOUT EL SEMANARIO HOSTOSIANO / THE HOSTOS WEEKLY

El Semanario Hostosiano / The Hostos Weekly is a communication vehicle designed to unite our multiple voices as we share news about members of the Hostos family, provide updates on our projects and upcoming events, and disseminate policy that impacts our work.  

Past issues can be found here.