Friday, February 13, 2026 | Vol. 12, No. 3

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS

My Dear Colleagues and Students,

As the new semester begins to settle in, I hope you are enjoying the enthusiasm it brings as well as the company of our students and one another. As reported at the All-College Meeting, not even bitter cold made the Hostos Family less enthusiastic.  I am also happy to report, as shared with me by colleagues in the Executive Cabinet, that the CUNY survey of satisfaction at all the 26 institutions yielded very positive results for Hostos. 

As we navigate challenges, please stay focused on the true North. Education is the door of opportunity for our students, and it is a joy to see their lives transformed because of the work of so many people of good will.  Thank you for the caring, teaching, counseling and support of our students as together we face the difficulties that this historical moment has brought upon us.

I wish you a wonderful long weekend. Some of us will be in Albany for the CUNY luncheon on Saturday, February 14.  Happy Valentine’s Day with your loved ones and friends and enjoy some rest this coming long weekend.

Mil gracias y bendiciones,

Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.

President

POEM

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

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

MacKenzie Scott ACE Scholarships Awarded

The MacKenzie Scott Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) Scholarship, an initiative that is implemented in partnership with the Continuing Education and Workforce Development Division, has been awarded to 24 students in Spring 2026. Eight students who completed continuing education programs and enrolled in Hostos degree programs will each receive a $1,000 scholarship: Keisha Barnes, Phylicia Conyers, Danayris Feliz, Sarah Marcano, Tameika McKenzie, Rosselina Muñoz, Dahlia Sosa, and Thalia-Rose Williams. The scholarships will provide much needed support as they transition into degree programs. In addition, 16 continuing students from previous cohorts who maintained 3.0 GPAs or better last semester have been awarded renewal scholarships of $500. These students are to be commended for their persistence and commitment to academic excellence. This scholarship helps move students closer to achieving their academic and career goals, and we are proud to celebrate their success. Congratulations to all the Spring 2026 scholarship awardees!



Paid Summer Internship Opportunity for Hostos Students

The Bronx Food Humanities Internship is a paid, in‑person summer opportunity for students from Hostos Community College, Bronx Community College, and Lehman College, hosted by Lehman College in collaboration with the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) and community‑based partners across the Bronx. The program is generously funded by the Mellon Foundation. Centering on food justice, community gardening, horticulture, and food humanities, this interdisciplinary internship offers students meaningful, hands-on experience while exploring the cultural, social, and environmental dimensions of food systems in the Bronx. Interns will gain hands-on experience, professional skill‑building and career exploration, access to mentorship and networking, and exposure to food justice initiatives rooted in Bronx communities. Five internship spots are available for Hostos students. The internship will run from June – August 2026, and interns are expected to work Tuesday - Friday. The deadline to apply is February 27, 2026. Interested students can apply here.

INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT (OIERA)

Submitted by Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness Babette Audant, Ph.D.

Beyond the First-Year Experience: Interactions of Enrollment and Graduation

Hostos’ core commitment in our 2023-28 Strategic Plan, Elevating Justice, and in our 2025-26 operational plan (which documents annual implementation of the College’s strategic priorities, and outcomes) is comprehensive First Year Experience, or FYE. 

FYE is an accountability framework that names key components and addresses their cross-divisional coordination. From initial outreach through admission, enrollment, financial aid case management, advisement, academic planning, career exploration, transfer mapping, peer mentors, tutoring, referrals to resources, etc, the goal is to ensure students’ needs are assessed and addressed for tutoring, counseling, basic needs like food, legal support; that students are appropriately advised about aligning academic choices with career and transfer goals; that students build a sense of belonging through interactions with peer mentors, faculty, and staff. This concept of a strong start is recognized nationally as essential, particularly for first gen college students and for students who come from racialized, marginalized communities like the South Bronx. 

One of the reasons why we keep a sharp focus on FYE is its lasting impact on retention and graduation. With the required caution, we can say that FYE at Hostos is correlated with retention. Graduation is more complicated because the time-to-degree at Hostos is relatively long (about 4 years) because so many students enroll part-time. And both graduation and part-time enrollment need to be examined more closely. 

Graduation: Nationally and at CUNY, graduation rates are based on the number of students from a particular entering cohort (i.e. Fall 2020) who were initially enrolled as first-time full-time freshmen (FTFTF) who graduate within 2, 3 or 4 years in relation to all the FTFTF who were part of that original cohort; 3-year graduation, also called 150% graduation, is the standard measure for reporting and comparison. At Hostos, the rate of 3-year graduation decreased from about 21% pre-pandemic to 17-16% post-pandemic. (Recent retention gains suggest graduation rates will begin increasing). However, when OIERA disaggregated graduation rates for students who earned AA and AS degrees from those who earned AAS degrees, we gained a more nuanced view: AA and AS degree majors had a 3-year graduation rate of 22% for the Fa20 cohort and 20% for the Fa21 cohort vs 17.1% (Fa20) and 16.1% (Fa21) for AA, AS, and AAS combined. Media Design Unit degrees are all AAS degrees and time-to-degree is typically significantly under the average Hostos TTD. The other large category of AAS graduates are students in the clinical allied health programs (Xray, Dental Hygiene and Nursing). The timelines for these highly competitive programs are understandably long: students complete pre-requisites before applying to the clinical portion of the degrees, all of which require two full years of clinical training. While the college is responsible for addressing and increasing graduation rates overall, it is useful to understand which strategies might work best where. 

Part-time enrollment: While the majority (typically between 85 and 90%) of Hostos first-time freshmen (FTF) enroll full-time (attempting 12 or more credits) in their first semester, the majority of students do not sustain full-time enrollment after their first semester of their first year: Hostos Sp26 PT enrollment is 61.6%. This is higher than PT enrollment at BCC (49.9%), LaGCC (44.5%) and KCC (54.2%).* Recent growth in winter and summer enrollment, resulting in high seat fill rates and more sections across more departments suggests that Hostos students are interested in sustaining enrollment and struggle to take on 12 and more credits at once. There are already efforts to reach out to students who enroll PT and encourage them to consider adding an additional course, including Late Start options, which fill quickly with continuing students. Other strategies include alerting students in advance about schedules for sequential courses, so they can plan ahead, and coordinating efforts with colleagues to ensure required courses do not conflict, forcing students to choose between degree requirements. Expansion of on-campus employment can alleviate pressure to work off campus, saving students commuting time and the challenge of enrolling in classes while anticipating variable hours. There are numerous other strategies and initiatives to explore to help students enroll FT, or get closer to FT enrollment, and in doing so, sustain and accelerate students’ completion and graduation. 

*Spring enrollment is still underway at LaGCC and KCC because both colleges are on a 12/6 semester; (fall + winter) and (spring + summer) are each a semester, giving students more opportunities to be FT without enrolling separately in winter and summer.

POLICY OF THE WEEK

Highlighting CUNY Policies You Should Know

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

Multiple Positions Policy

Each full-time faculty member is obligated to view his/her appointment to a college or university faculty position within The City University as his/her major professional commitment. Read more about the Multiple Positions policy here.

GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Submitted by Director Eric Radezky, Ph.D.

New York State Unemployment Insurance Benefits Have Increased

This week’s update comes from the Office of Borough President Vanessa Gibson.

Unemployment Insurance Benefits:

• Starting October 6, 2025, unemployment insurance benefits have increased for more than half of unemployed New Yorkers. The maximum benefit rate is the highest benefit amount available to unemployed New Yorkers.

• How much an individual receives on a weekly basis is based on their previous income. The new maximum benefit rate is $869 per week. The increased benefit rate will be reflected in payments starting the week of October 13. Even if you don’t earn the maximum, you may see an increase in your benefit amount. Click here for more information.

OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY

Submitted by Associate Director Stephanie Oliviero



Lunar New Year

As we embark on the festivities of the Lunar New Year, I extend my warmest wishes to each member of our diverse and vibrant campus community. This special occasion holds immense cultural significance for many, marking the beginning of a new lunar cycle and symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and good fortune. May the Year of the Horse bring you and your loved ones joy, health, and success in all of your endeavors. Let us take this opportunity to appreciate the rich traditions and customs that make our community unique… fostering tolerance, understanding, and unity among us. Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Lunar New Year!

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Submitted by Dean Ana I. García Reyes

Conference As Always, Thank You for Making Us Part of Your Journeys!

The Office of Community Relations is deeply thankful to colleagues, partners, and friends for the numerous invitations to participate in meaningful cultural celebrations, meetings, and community forums during the months of January and February 2026. Some of these included Black History Month and Dominican Heritage Month. The Office of Community Relations congratulates both the Dominican and the Afro-American communities on the occasion of these annual cultural heritage celebrations.

As part of these celebrations, Hostos will be hosting a Mini-Symposium on February 25, 2025. The day will begin with breakfast and registration from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m., followed by three panels in the areas of Health, Education, and Arts & Culture, scheduled from 9:15 a.m. – 12:00 noon at the Hostos Research Center (HRC). The event will conclude with a plenary presentation and luncheon.

Additional information about the Mini-Symposium panels can be obtained by emailing Dean Ana Garcia Reyes at agreyes@hostos.cuny.edu or Communications Manager Dr. Wilfredo Burgos Matos at wburgos-matos@hostos.cuny.edu. 

Funding for this initiative is made possible through the President’s Office, The Office of Community Relations, and Educating for Diversity – Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives. 

Our Students and Staff Participate in 8th Dominicans on the Hill Conference

A delegation of 30 Hostos Community College colleagues and students represented the College at the 8th Annual Dominicans on the Hill Conference, on February 11, 2026, in Washington, D.C., in commemoration of Dominican Heritage Month. National elected and appointed officials, along with community leaders, participated under this year’s theme: “Advancing Public Policy & Opportunities in Health.” Experts shared insights on the latest trends and opportunities shaping health policy. Congratulations to the organizers of this impactful conference.

Study Abroad Applications Still Open

Lastly, applications for the Summer 2026 Professional Development & Study Abroad Program in the Dominican Republic remain open. To register or for additional information, please contact Mr. Gerson Peña at gpena@hostos.cuny.edu.

NEWS FROM THE DIVISIONS

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS (OAA)

Submitted by Provost and VP Andrea Fabrizio, Ph.D.

Expanding the Use of Navigate on Campus

Submitted by Sarah Brennan, MPA

Sarah Brennan, Executive Assistant to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, was awarded $40,000 from a CUNY Small Awards Grant to Advance EAB Navigate360 Adoption and expand the use of Navigate among the faculty, students and staff at Hostos. Through the grant we aim to train the majority of our faculty, increase independent use of Navigate among students, establish a library of institutional marketing assets and expand the use of Navigate features including the creation of new content templates designed to streamline the advising experience for all students.

Spring 2026 OGRA Newsletter

Submitted by Dr. Kelba Sosa, Director of the Office of Grants & Research Administration

The Office of Grants & Research Administration (OGRA) is excited to share the Spring 2026 Newsletter, highlighting upcoming grant opportunities, policy and RF portal updates, and helpful resources to support your proposal development efforts. This edition also features upcoming seminars, new insights, and practical tips to strengthen submissions. We encourage you to take a few moments to review and share with your department liaisons and connect with our team if you would like guidance on any upcoming projects or ideas.

The Office of Grants & Research Administration, in collaboration with the Research Center, invites Principal Investigators, Directors, and Coordinators to attend a workshop presented by Alan Shih from CUNY Central. This informative session will provide valuable insights across several interrelated grant topics and is designed to offer guidance and support to faculty in strengthening their understanding of the grants process.

Seminar Details:

Speaker: Dr. Alan Shih, University Executive Director of Research and Innovation, CUNY Central, Office of Research

Date & Time: Thursday, February 26, 12:30 pm

Location: Hostos Research Center

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (SDEM)

Submitted by VP Althea Sterling, Ed.D.

Health and Wellness: One Stop

Emergency Grant Opportunities

The One Stop Program offers emergency financial assistance to support students facing unexpected financial challenges.

• Petrie Foundation Student Emergency Grant

Applications will be accepted beginning February 16, 2025.

• Gerstner Helping Hands Grant

Applications will be accepted beginning March 2, 2025.

Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to help support their academic goals.

SNAP / Food Stamps Screening Days: The One Stop Program will host SNAP/Food Stamps Screening Days during Spring 2026 for students experiencing food insecurity. Federal Work Study recipients are also eligible to apply.

Food Pantry: Students may access the Food Pantry once per month during Spring 2026. Appointments are required.

Grab & Go Snacks will be available throughout Spring 2026. Students are encouraged to stop by the One Stop Program and pick up a snack before class.

Fresh Produce Distribution for Spring 2026 will begin on March 4, 2026.

One Stop Program Contact Information

Savoy Building |120 East 149th Street | Room D-101

P: 718-319-7981 | 718-518-4141

Madeline Cruz – mcruz@hostos.cuny.edu

Rosini Perez – rperez@hostos.cuny.edu 

Transfer Services

Your next chapter starts here! Thinking about transferring? Ready to explore your options, get hands-on application help, and connect with colleges? The Office of Transfer Services has a full lineup of Spring 2026 events designed to support you every step of the way.

Whether you’re just starting to explore or ready to apply, we’ve got you covered.

Transfer Services Events

Campus Tours – Visit Colleges This Semester!

All tours meet at 9AM | D101A – Transfer Services Lab

• Mercy College: February 26
• York College: March 12
• Lehman College: March 26 & April 16
• John Jay College: April 23
• Baruch College: May 7

Register using the Campus Tour Registration Form

TRANSFER FAIR

Tuesday, March 17 | 11AM – 1 PM | Gym, C380

Meet college representatives eager to talk with you about transfer opportunities, majors, and next steps. Come with questions—leave with options!

ON-SITE LEHMAN ADMISSIONS

Wednesday, March 18 | 10 AM – 2 PM | C512

Meet one-on-one with a Lehman College admissions representative for personalized guidance—and possibly receive an on-the-spot admission decision.

SEE IT. BELIEVE IT. ACHIEVE IT. BRUNCH!

Thursday, March 19 | 11 AM – 1 PM | D-Building Multipurpose Room

Enjoy a delicious brunch while hearing inspiring stories from Lehman students who began their academic journey right here at Hostos.

DECISION DAY

Thursday, April 30 | 11 AM – 1 PM | C391

Celebrate your next steps, enjoy food, and get last-minute support finalizing your transfer application as you prepare for graduation!

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE (ADM)

Submitted by SVP Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne

Purchase Requisitions Reminder

Although it seems like the spring semester has just begun, we would like to remind staff and faculty to begin submitting purchase requisitions as early as possible for any anticipated unit or departmental needs. A formal notification regarding the FY 2026 Requisition Submission deadline will be distributed to the campus community in March.

Timely submission of requisitions helps ensure that purchases are charged to the appropriate budget categories and that the College receives all goods and services requiring an estimated six- to eight-week lead time prior to June 30, 2026. Before submitting a requisition in the system, please confirm with your suppliers that all goods and services can be delivered on or before June 30, 2026. After submitting the requisition, follow the order through to receipt of the item and report any significant delivery delays to the Procurement Office. 

Please note that goods and services received after June 30, 2026 cannot be charged to the FY 2025–2026 budget, in accordance with City of New York and CUNY procurement regulations. In addition, once goods or services are received, departments must submit Receiving Reports promptly to facilitate timely vendor payments. All invoices should be forwarded to the Accounts Payable Office immediately upon receipt for processing.

If you have any questions, please contact the following individuals:

Procurement: Margo Jerimie (mjerimie@hostos.cuny.edu)  

Budget: Fanny Dumancela (fdumancela@hostos.cuny.edu) 

Accounts Payable: Bernard Sanders (bsanders@hostos.cuny.edu) 

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (CEWD)

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

View the CEWD Spring 2026 Catalog 

Go here for the catalog.

CEWD Virtual Information Sessions

February  

Saturday, February 21, 11 AM (Virtual)  

March  

Wednesday, March 4, 6 PM (In-Person)  

Wednesday, March 11, 12:30 PM (Virtual)  

Saturday, March 14, 11 AM (Virtual)  

May  

Wednesday, May 6, 6 PM (In-Person)  

Saturday, May 9, 11 AM (Virtual)  

Wednesday, May 20, 12:30 PM (Virtual)  

June  

Wednesday, June 3, 6 PM (In-Person)  

Saturday, June 6, 11 AM (Virtual)  

Wednesday, June 17, 12:30 PM (Virtual)  

To register for a session, go here.   

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT (DIA)

Submitted by Development, Corporate, and Foundation Relations Manager Kelsey Hillebrand

Chan Norris Family Fund Grants $10,000 for the Family Empowerment Program

The Foundation extends gratitude to Jesse Chan Norris and the Chan Norris Family for their support of the Family Empowerment Program (FEP) at Hostos Community College. The FEP, managed by Christeen Francis, supports parenting students with workshops, community, and wrap-around service referrals. With these funds, the FEP will also be able to provide transportation assistance to parenting students, who are often juggling work, school, and family responsibilities.

BRAVO NEWS

Celebrating the Accomplishments of the Hostos Community

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop on all things Hostos!

Congressman Ritchie Torres Secures Funding to Renovate Hostos Library

Hostos Community College is delighted to announce that Congressman Ritchie Torres has secured $700,000 in Community Project Funding to renovate the College’s library. The Hostos Library was opened in 1990 and has not been renovated since, apart from a few minor repairs. Read more here.

Congratulations to Professor Gerrity on His Most Recent Book Publication!

Congratulations to Professor Sean Gerrity who recently published the book, “Beyond Emancipation: Maroon Freedoms in US Literature, 1850-1862” (SUNY Press, 2025). The text revisits classic works of nineteenth-century American literature, especially by Black writers, to uncover a hidden history of maroons-enslaved people who ran away but remained hidden in the South. Gerrity argues that literary depictions of "small acts" of marronage reveal an expanded sense of what freedom might look like and where and when it might occur. While taking care not to romanticize historical realities, he vividly shows how works by Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, and Martin Delany gesture toward possibilities for Black freedom-making beyond legal emancipation, liberalism, and the white abolitionist literary tradition. Learn more about the book and Prof. Gerrity’s story here. Get a copy of the book 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.

EVENTS

Title: 100-Day Countdown to Graduation

Date | Time: Wednesday, February 18 | 2 PM

Location: A-Atrium

Description: Let’s get the countdown going for the 2026 Commencement Ceremonies! Join us to celebrate the approaching of this special day and learn more about regalia, how to apply for graduation, and more.

Title: Repertorio Español: El Quijote

Date | Time: Wednesday, February 18 | 2:30 PM & Thursday, February 19 | 7 PM

Location: Hostos Repertory Theater

Description: Step into the captivating world of Repertorio Español's adaptation of El Quijote. Directed by Jorge Alí Triana and adapted by Santiago García, this stage production brings to life twelve enthralling and whimsical misadventures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, offering a visually immersive experience inspired by the beloved novel. Through masterful direction and a stellar cast, this live rendition is a must-watch for aficionados of literary marvels and engaging storytelling. Get tickets.

Title: BLACK HISTORY MONTH | Book Talk: “I Wasn’t Supposed to be Here” by Jonathan Conyers

Date | Time: Tuesday, February 24 | 11 AM - 12:30 PM

Location: B-501

Description: Join us for an inspiring talk and reading with author Jonathan Conyers. In his moving and inspirational memoir, Bronx native Conyers describes how he overcame a difficult background thanks to the support of teachers, mentors, and coaches. Born into a family crippled by addiction and homelessness, Jonathan “failed” kindergarten and was told he would never succeed academically. Thanks to mentors like his transgender debate coach, he defied the odds and created a village to save his life and helped realize his dream to get into medical school. RSVP here.

Title: DOMINICAN HERITAGE MONTH | Mini-Symposium

Date | Time: Wednesday, February 25 | 8:30 AM - 1 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center

Description: You are invited to a mini-symposium commemorating Dominican Heritage Month. Themed “The Evolving Health, Culture and Educational Landscape of Dominicans in the USA," the event is designed to examine and amplify the challenges, achievements, and contributions of Dominicans in New York and across the nation. The program will feature three panels in the areas of Education, Health, and Arts & Culture, with participation from Hostos alumni and other distinguished professionals. Students, faculty, staff, and community guests will benefit from the expertise and perspectives shared throughout the day. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. RSVP here.

TITLE: Layer the Walls Two: A Grand Pistachio Production

Date | Time: Sunday, March 15 | 2 PM

Location: Hostos Main Theater

Description: What if an old Lower East Side apartment, covered with 40 layers of wallpaper, revealed the lives of those who came before? Using puppetry, masks, and live performance, Layer the Walls Part Two peels back three intertwined stories of Jewish, Chinese, and Puerto Rican migrants who helped shape the America we know today. Get tickets.

Title: Hostos Women’s Empowerment Brunch

Date | Time: Tuesday, March 17 | 1 PM (doors open at 12:45)

Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room

Description: Join us for an inspiring gathering featuring leaders in business, healthcare, and more. The event will be moderated by CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez and feature keynote remarks from Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO of TIAA. Ms. Brown Duckett is one of only two Black women who lead Fortune 500 companies.

Title: Shirly Chisholm: Unbossed and Unbowed

Date | Time: Tuesday, March 31 | 2 PM and 7 PM

Location: Hostos Repertory Theater

Description: “Unbossed and Unbowed” is an immersive and interactive solo show about the first African-American woman to run for the Presidency of the U.S. In the 1960s and ’70s, this Brooklyn-born daughter of Caribbean parents was on a mission. They called her the black Joan of Arc. She called herself Fighting Shirley as she faced off against the political machine in the name of justice. “Unbossed and Unbowed” hopes to inspire the disenfranchised and to connect to those who benefit from the status quo, helping them to examine the flaws in our system and reconsider what’s best for humankind. Get tickets.

Title: Wall of Champions 2026 Ceremony

Date | Time: Thursday, April 23 | 2 - 6 PM

Location: A-Atrium

Description: Join President Cocco De Filippis at the unveiling of new names on the A-Atrium’s Wall of Champions. Get to know more about the heroes that have made our mission possible throughout the decades.

Title: 4th Annual Student Symposium

Date | Time: Tuesday, April 28 | 9 AM - 5 PM

Location: Various Locations 

Description: Applications to present are due March 2, 2026. Students and mentors may submit proposals here.This event brings together examples of undergraduate research in STEM; essays, poems, and short stories; visual arts; performing arts; capstone assignments; honors projects; field work; and more. 

Title: Hostos Community College Foundation Annual Scholarship Benefit

Date | Time: Thursday, April 30 | 6 PM

Location: The Surf Club on the Sound

Description: The 2026 Scholarship Benefit will bring our community together to celebrate student achievement, recognize outstanding leaders, and raise funds for scholarships that inspire persistence. Join us as we honor Hostos’ legacy of opportunity and champion the future of our students. More info coming soon.

Title: Hostos Alumni Homecoming 2026

Date | Time: Saturday, September 26 | TBD

Location: Hostos Community College

Description: The Office of Alumni Relations is pleased to revive the beloved Hostos Homecoming tradition. Please mark your calendar for Saturday, September 26. The full-day event will feature a range of activities—from family fun to professional development and networking opportunities. Details will be announced in the coming weeks, but you won’t want to miss out. Tickets will be available soon, and the early-bird suggested donation for general admission will start at $25.



Title: Arts Industry Summit

Date | Time: Thursday, May 7 | 9 AM - 12 PM

Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room

Description: President Cocco De Filippis and Community Advisory Council Chair Elías Alcántara, along with the Office of Academic Affairs and community industry leaders, are hosting another wonderful industry summit that will connect our students with the job opportunities they deserve and explore how to improve the curriculum to better prepare them. More info coming soon.

Title: Honors Convocation

Date | Time: Wednesday, May 20 | 6 PM

Location: Main Theater

Description: Join President Cocco De Filippis and the Office of Academic Affairs as our 2026 graduates receive their well-deserved academic honors and scholarships.

Title: 2026 Commencement Ceremonies

Date | Time: Wednesday, May 27 at 2 PM & Thursday, May 28 at 11 AM

Location: Main Theater

Description: Let’s celebrate one of the most cherished milestones of our College! More information is coming soon.

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.