Friday, February 20, 2026 | Vol. 12, No. 4

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS

My Dear Colleagues and Students,

We are moving forward, making steady progress in multiple ways. The good news this week is that Congressman Ritchie Torres secured $700,000 for upgrades to the Hostos Library. Our census numbers have come in: Our overall increase from last year’s census is 6.27% in headcount. Our FTE increase is 1.4% from last year or 4.7%. This is good to hear, as we are encouraged to redouble our efforts to retain even higher numbers which is at 69.14% (attrition, 30.86), and to work with our students. Please stay in touch and learn from our students about the support they need to continue a journey that is about social justice and bright futures, and to support their persistence.

I wish you joy, hope and satisfaction in this semester’s journey of teaching and learning, advising and guiding our deserving students.

Mil gracias y bendiciones,

Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.

President

POEM

MESSAGE FROM STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA) PRESIDENT TYLER WOODS

Hello everyone!

I have some updates from the SGA. We are starting the semester off strong with some bright new faces along with some more potential applicants for open leadership positions still pending review. I would like to give thanks to everyone that applied and expressed their desire to support their fellow students and campus so strongly. Although we are no longer accepting any applications, the SGA is always looking for helping hands at events and students to speak to, so I encourage everyone to stop by any SGA-hosted events as well as Hostos events to keep an eye out for our members and learn from them.  

The SGA is in the beginning stages of organizing events to inform Hostos students of the many resources available to them. Faculty have also begun to reach out to organize events with us, putting on display their Hostos spirit, so be on the lookout for all types of events with familiar faces. That’s all for now but for day-to-day updates make sure to follow @sgahostos on Instagram.

Have a wonderful day,

Tyler

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

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

Hostos Research Center Updates

This spring semester, the Hostos Research Center (HRC) is offering the Hostos community many opportunities for learning and engagement including the Spring 2026 Colloquium Series, grant opportunities seminars, and the end-of-semester HRC Scholars Mini Conference. We are enthusiastic to share with the Hostos community the innovative research that fellow faculty and staff members have developed with the funding awarded through the HRC’s ADELANTE and IDEAS grants. The Spring Colloquium series will kick off on March 4, with Eric Ritholz, Online Learning Coordinator, who will be presenting on his ADELANTE project, Artificial Intelligence Teaching Assistant: Enhancing Student Learning and Teacher Support, which he developed and led its pilot implementation in collaboration with Co-Principal Investigators Professor Jacqueline DiSanto, Education Department, and Carlos Guevara, Director of Educational Technology. All members of the Hostos community are invited to learn about this incredible tool and its applications in the classroom.

On February 26, at 12:30 pm, the HRC will be hosting a special Grant Opportunities Seminar with Dr. Alan Shih, University Executive Director of Research and Innovation. Dr. Shih will outline the various programs and services offered by the CUNY Office of Research, including grant opportunities for faculty and activities that facilitate networking, training, and proposal development. This session will provide vital information for faculty that are seeking new funding opportunities to advance their research and gain access to supportive services. The event will be hybrid and those who cannot attend in person can register to attend via Zoom here.

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.

Career-connected as an Institutional Practice

Career-connected learning is a CUNY priority, at the heart of the University-wide CUNY Beyond initiative, a strategy for integrating career preparation at every step of undergraduate students’ experience*. CUNY’s commitment is to better prepare students for career “launch” at graduation. The University’s commitment aligns with the commitment Hostos made in the 2023-28 Strategic Plan, Elevating Justice, to advance justice through employment outcomes and socio-economic mobility. 

What does it mean to be career-connected? It is grounded in a comprehensive re-framing of career and academic planning, advisement, learning, work experiences and employment. It invites the articulation and strengthening - rather than the imposition - of career-related connections to be made in students’ learning experiences, in how advisement takes into account academic and career interests in guiding students, and integrates work-based learning (including paid internships, which are still the gold standard). Career-connected does not privilege any discipline or disciplines (not STEM, not allied health). Rather, it provides faculty - and students - with language that helps articulate the links between what happens in the learning environment and how these skills (i.e. critical thinking, data and textual analysis, problem solving, communication of all kinds, digital skills including the use of AI tools) and content knowledge help prepare students for future employment. This applies to the humanities and social science as much as it applies to business or computer science. In many ways, the lens of career-connectedness highlights the continued - and in some cases - increasing relevance of those skills and knowledge that define, explore, manifest our humanity. 

What it also commits us to - at Hostos, at CUNY - is to do the work of showing students how various academic pathways connect to employment. There are instances of a 1:1 match, so to speak: earn an AAS in Nursing at Hostos, you are nearly 100% certain of being employed before or at graduation. In Education, the connections to career will vary based on choice of degree (at Hostos, for example, Early Childhood Education AAS vs Liberal Arts/Teacher Education AA), current work experience and status, career interests (i.e. teaching K-5, or teaching History to high school students, school-based social worker). In some cases, the career connection will include application to graduate and professional programs. Also important is that CUNY Beyond, like our approach at Hostos, reflects the understanding that students may complete their academic and career preparation at Hostos (i.e. clinical health programs that lead to licensure) and others will start their academic and career preparation at Hostos, securing early work experiences and other experiential learning that helps prepare students for (paid) internships and employment at the four-year institutions as they approach completion of their bachelor’s degrees. 

Hostos has always helped students make the connection between academic and career though career exploration and development supported by Career Services, Transfer planning that includes consideration of post-graduation employment, and curricula and co-curricular activities that incorporate experiential learning (student research, studio-based work, clinicals, portfolios, COIL, fieldwork, internships, etc). We have had four faculty to date participate in CUNY’s Career Fellows program, representing four disciplines (Math, LAC, NATSCI and COH); the initiative prepares faculty to draw out the career connections in their classes, and how to become leaders of career-connected learning. The Ms. MacKenzie Scott gift funds initiatives that support career connections including ADELANTE grants, particularly those that engage students in faculty-led research, Mentor-Mentee Jobs on Campus, and the Student Symposium. The opportunity now is to spell out clearly what these connections are, notice where we have gaps or room for growth, and work intentionally to communicate this all to our students. 

From the perspective of institutional effectiveness, the intentional framing of career-connections in curricula, in advising/academic and transfer planning, and through resources including the Career-Infused Degree Maps as well as initiatives including NYSOP (NY State Opportunity Program), should – based on national assessments – help increase student retention and completion, in addition to post-completion employment outcomes (i.e. wages and success at finding work related to chosen field of study). And this is the core of our promise to our students. 

*CUNY Beyond is implementing Wave I. Hostos has applied to be part of Wave II. All undergraduate institutions at CUNY will take part in one of the four Waves.

POLICY OF THE WEEK

Highlighting CUNY Policies You Should Know

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

Statement on Public Order

In compliance with Chapter 191 of the laws of 1969, the Board of Trustees has adopted rules and regulations for the maintenance of public order on college campuses and other college property used for education purposes. Read the statement here.

GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Submitted by Director Eric Radezky, Ph.D.

NYC Housing Connect – Affordable Housing Lotteries

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 but HPD and HDC provide monitoring and oversight.

NYC Housing Connect is the portal to find and apply for these affordable rental and homeownership opportunities across the five boroughs. Click here to see current lottery listings available in the Bronx and around the city.

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. Find out more about Housing Connect and how to submit an affordable housing application on their About page.

OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY

Submitted by Associate Director Stephanie Oliviero



Dominican Heritage Month

As we celebrate Dominican Heritage Month from January 21 to February 27, which aligns with the anniversary of the Dominican Republic's independence on February 27, we honor Dominicans' rich cultural heritage, resilience, and contributions to our society. Dominican Americans have played a vital role in shaping our communities and strengthening our nation, from arts and music to business, education, technology, and public service. This month is an opportunity to recognize the deep cultural ties between the Dominican Republic and the United States, New York State, and New York City. We celebrate the achievements of Dominican American leaders and reflect on the values of perseverance, family, and community central to Dominican culture.  

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Submitted by Dean Ana I. García Reyes



Updates

Hello everyone! We want to take this opportunity to thank our community friends for accepting and placing Hostos students as interns in their offices. Career Services Director Lisanette Rosario has been doing an excellent job following up on referrals made by our office to accommodate our students across various industries and organizations. 

In terms of professional development and community engagement, we have been delighted to be guests at the Fund for the City of New York (FCNY) Innovation Across Silos Conference, held at NYU on February 4, 2026. The conference featured intellectually rich conversations and highly engaging dialogue. All panelists delivered excellent presentations, and the power of storytelling was evident through the testimonies shared. The keynote address by journalist, author, and historian Cheryl Wills was especially inspirational, a powerful reminder of the importance of staying true to oneself and persevering through challenging times. 

We are also proud to have been invited to the 2nd Swearing-In Ceremony of Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, one of our greatest supporters, held at Lehman College. The event was well-attended, with elected officials from various branches of government, college presidents, community leaders, family members, and CUNY colleagues present. Although it was a freezing day, the warm welcome from Borough President Gibson’s staff and friends made it a truly memorable occasion.

This past week, we were honored to be invited and be engaged in meaningful conversation at the City & State NY Higher Education Summit at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. The summit convenes government leaders, industry executives, university leadership, and policymakers to shape the future of New York’s higher education programs and policies. Community Relations was in the gracious company of our dear colleague, Health and Wellness Director Fabián Wander.

We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the month and upcoming March! As always, thanks to all our partners for having us. We look forward to welcoming you to our home sometime soon!

NEWS FROM THE DIVISIONS

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS (OAA)

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

FYE New Student Orientation

Submitted by Temu Watson, Chair, FYE New Student Orientation Subcommittee

On February 13, 2026, the First Year Experience New Student Subcommittee welcomed Hostos’s newest students at a special orientation event designed to support their transition to college life. The program featured welcome remarks from President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., whose presence set a warm and inspiring tone for the year ahead. Opening remarks were also delivered by Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Andrea Fabrizio and Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management Dr. Althea Sterling. Students received essential information from a broad cross-section of 16 programs, departments, and resource centers, ensuring they are equipped with the tools and support needed for a strong start to the semester. The Subcommittee thanks all who contributed to the event and looks forward to continued collaboration in support of student success.

The OER COIL Starter Kit

Submitted by Professor Amy Ramson, Behavioral and Social Sciences Department



The OER COIL Starter Kit, located on the CUNY Academic Commons and created by the COIL @Hostos Committee members, received a shout out on the Wikipedia Page for the CUNY Academic Commons. Here it is:

"It also hosts the OER COIL Starter Kit, which supports Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), a teaching model that connects classrooms across institutions and countries through shared coursework.”

What is the OER COIL Starter Kit?

The Open Educational Resources (OER) Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Starter Kit, available world-wide, facilitates faculty adapting/adopting OERs in existing or new COIL-integrated courses, and increasing open CUNY courses supporting openly licensed content. The Starter Kit 1) introduces COIL and cross-cultural dialogue to faculty, 2) provides a repository of modules including both open assignments and materials that faculty can use when they do COIL projects, and 3) provides partnering opportunities. Using OER resources in COIL projects advances the mission of both COIL and OER by giving faculty and students access to global learning and resources without a hefty price tag.

Expanding Access and Inclusion Through Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Education

Submitted by Professor Amy Ramson, Behavioral and Social Sciences Department

Professors Nieves Angulo, Moise Koffi, and Christelle Dejolie of the Math Department and Amy Ramson of the BSS Department presented "Expanding Access and Inclusion Through Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity Education" at HETS 2026 Best Practices Showcase on Thursday, February 12, 2026, in Puerto Rico. Our presentation highlighted the competencies provided to Hispanic students through our program, which was funded through an NSF grant, and how the initiative demonstrates cost-effectiveness by leveraging existing institutional resources and shared faculty expertise, minimizing the need for new infrastructure or equipment, while supporting increased enrollment. The program contributes to institutional improvement processes by providing data on student engagement, interdisciplinary outcomes, and workshop participation, which informs curriculum development, outreach strategies, and program planning.

Best Practices for Securing Diverse Funding

Submitted by Professor Moise Koffi, Mathematics & CSC Department & STEP/CSTEP Co-Director

On January 8, 2026, I was invited as a guest speaker for the UNIDOS Link and Learn Dialogue, a virtual session focused on “Exploring Funding Opportunities.” During the event, I delivered a lightning talk titled “Best Practices for Securing Diverse Funding,” which was also featured in the January 2026 Newsletter January 2026 – UNIDOS.The event brought together speakers with experience in obtaining support from federal agencies such as DOD, NIH, NSF, USDA, FRA, and USDOT, as well as the State Education Department (NYSED), private foundations, companies, and company-sponsored foundations. Presenters represented institutions including California State University, Hostos Community College, Interamerican University Metropolitan Campus, Texas Tech University, University of Puerto Rico–Mayaguez, University of Arizona, and University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Each session featured lightning talks followed by breakout discussions, providing participants with practical insights into navigating diverse funding opportunities.

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (SDEM)

Submitted by VP Althea Sterling, Ed.D.

Accessibility Resource Center (ARC)

The Accessibility Resource Center provides academic support and accommodations to Hostos' student population with disabilities or medical conditions. In addition to classroom and campus accommodations, students can use our private accessible computer lab, participate in workshops, and be trained in the use of Assistive Technologies.

To learn more about services provided by ARC, or to request an Initial Intake Appointment visit linktr.ee/accessibilityresourcecenter

CUNY EDGE

CUNY EDGE students are invited to attend the annual 2026 CUNY EDGE Transfer Event today, February 20, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s event will be held virtually and is open exclusively to CUNY EDGE students.

The program will feature brief presentations from Admissions and Financial Aid representatives, a Transfer Office Director, and a current CUNY EDGE student at a senior college who began their academic journey at a community college. The panel discussion will be followed by a live Q&A session.

As in previous years, participants will also have the opportunity to join breakout sessions to connect with CUNY EDGE staff and representatives from senior colleges, learn more about transfer pathways, and get their questions answered. Students who register and attend will receive a gift card.

CUNY EDGE students, please check your email for the link to RSVP and participate in this opportunity to prepare for your transfer success!

SDEM Staff Spotlight

Ana Guaba Perez: Guiding Students Forward, One Conversation at a Time

Ana Guaba Perez served as a Peer Mentor for the Academic Completion Initiative (ACI), providing one-on-one support to readmitted students on academic probation. Through personalized guidance and referrals to tutoring, counseling, financial aid, and other key resources, Ana helped students rebuild confidence and make meaningful academic progress.

Because of the work she and her fellow Peer Mentors did, the ACI program delivered strong outcomes, including high rates of student retention and significant GPA improvement. Student feedback consistently highlighted increased confidence, academic success, and the value of Peer Mentor support. One student shared, “This was the best semester I’ve had compared to my first two years,” while another noted, “I really want to thank my Peer Mentor—she was very helpful.”

Ana is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at the Silberman School of Social Work and continues her work with College Discovery, completing her social work internship while providing personalized advisement to College Discovery students on probation. Her ongoing commitment to equity, empowerment, and student success makes her a valued member of the Hostos community.

Thank you, Ana, for your continued impact on student success.

Health and Wellness: One Stop



Stay nourished and focused this semester! The One Stop Program offers a variety of food and wellness resources to support your academic success:

• 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

Rossini 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. 

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

558 Grand Concourse Update



Since the initial, exciting announcement that Hostos would be receiving a new Allied Health and Natural Sciences facility in the landmarked Bronx Post Office building, Hostos’s Campus Planning, Campus Operations, and Allied Health and Natural Sciences teams have been actively engaged in a series of productive and collaborative meetings with the landlord’s project management team and architect. These discussions have focused on preliminary space usage concepts and design considerations to ensure that the facility will effectively support academic, instructional, and operational needs.

The architect selected for this project previously worked with Hostos on the College’s original plans for a new Allied Health and Natural Sciences building and is therefore already well acquainted with the unique requirements of our programs. With a fully executed agreement now in place, an expanded series of meetings is underway involving the project managers, architect, CUNY, and Hostos teams. These working sessions are designed to drill down into the specific needs of each of the department classrooms and laboratories, including fixed and flexible furniture, specialized equipment, data and power requirements, and other programmatic considerations essential to teaching and learning.

In parallel, the project managers and architect are also meeting with Hostos Public Safety, Hostos IT, and CUNY CIS to define the scope of safety and security needs and information technology infrastructure requirements for the new facility. The productivity and collaborative spirit of these meetings have been highly encouraging. As details continue to come together, the vision for the space is becoming increasingly tangible, marking an important step forward in transforming this historic building into a vibrant, modern academic environment for the Hostos community.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (CEWD)

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

The History of Latin Music & Latin Jazz is a No-cost Virtual Seminar Series 

This virtual seminar is hosted by music historian and author Joe Conzo Sr. and explores the history of Latin music and Latin jazz from the 1930s to the present, highlighting influential artists such as Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan, and others. 

When: Saturdays, 11 AM — 1 PM 

Dates: February 21, 28 and March 7, 14, 21, and 28

Where: Online via Zoom here. 

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

Hostos Appoints Dr. Julie Gafney as VP of Institutional Advancement



Hostos Community College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Julie Gafney as Vice President for Institutional Advancement (DIA), effective Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Dr. Gafney succeeds Ms. Colette Atkins, whose tenure was marked by strengthened advancement efforts and expanded external relationships on behalf of the College. Read more here.

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!

Hostos Faculty Present Innovative Model for Educational Technology Adoption at HETS 2026 Symposium

Professor Armando Amador and Professor Nieves Angulo of the Mathematics Department presented their project, “Beyond the ‘How-To’: A Dual-Framework Model to Drive Strategic LMS Adoption and Empower Student Success,” at the HETS 2026 Best Practices Showcase on Thursday, February 12, 2026, in Puerto Rico. Their presentation introduced a best-practice model for diagnosing and improving Learning Management System (LMS) adoption, an essential factor in supporting Hostos’s diverse, largely commuting student population. Developed at Hostos Community College, the model integrates Rogers’s Diffusion of Innovation Theory to explain the “how” of technology adoption with Chickering’s Seven Principles of Good Practice to illuminate the pedagogical “why.”

Findings from a faculty survey provided quantifiable evidence that while innovation attributes such as streamlined grading are valued, the strongest motivators for LMS use are its ability to facilitate student-faculty contact (82.4% agreement) and provide prompt feedback (94.1% agreement). This highly cost-effective model leverages existing institutional resources to refocus professional development on faculty motivations and offers administrators a precise diagnostic tool for making data-informed decisions that target specific adoption barriers and key motivators. The central lesson is clear. Promoting technology based solely on features is insufficient. Successful integration requires reducing innovation barriers and demonstrating how the LMS advances established principles of effective teaching. The College congratulates Professors Amador and Angulo on this outstanding contribution to educational technology and for representing Hostos at this important international forum.

Hostos Professors Present at AMTE Conference in Oregon

We are proud to share that our NSF-funded research project, “Academic and Financial Support Perceptions and GPA Variability: Pilot Insights to Inform AMTE’s Vision for STEM Success,” was presented at the 30th Annual American Mathematics Teacher Education (AMTE) Conference, held February 4–7, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. The study, conducted by Professors Moise Koffi, Nieves Angulo, and Reginald Dorcely of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, examines how personal challenges, financial stress, and institutional resources intersect to shape student outcomes. This work positions the MACSS model as a leading framework for advancing student success in STEM.

Findings indicate that MACSS participants achieve near-perfect credit completion rates while maintaining academic performance comparable to their peers. These results highlight the critical role of integrated financial and academic support in sustaining student progress and helping to close achievement gaps. By prioritizing academic stability alongside traditional performance metrics, the MACSS model offers a scalable and effective strategy for promoting equity, access, and inclusion in STEM education.

Hostos Delegation Joins 8th Dominicans on the Hill Conference in Nation’s Capital

Hostos Community College proudly joined leaders from across the country at the 8th Annual Dominicans on the Hill (DOTH) Conference, the nation’s premier Dominican American public policy summit, bringing the voice of the South Bronx to the heart of the nation’s capital. 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.

EVENTS

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: BLACK HISTORY MONTH | Book Presentation: “Beyond Emancipation: Maroon Freedoms in US Literature” by Professor Sean Gerrity

Date | Time: Thursday, February 26 | 11:30 a.m.

Location: Zoom (Link to be shared via email)

Description: On behalf of President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, we invite you to join the book presentation of “Beyond Emancipation: Maroon Freedoms in US Literature, 1850-1862” by English Professor Sean Gerrity. Gerrity will be in conversation with English Department Chair Jason Buchanan. As the publisher describes it, Gerrity’s tome “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...While Beyond Emancipation focuses on texts produced during the brief period between the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 and the Civil War, the book's range of reference and implications are broad, unsettling still dominant ideas and engaging pressing questions in literary criticism, history, geography, and Black studies.”

Title: Chiqui Vicioso: Three Decades of Poetry, A Bilingual Event

Date | Time: Tuesday, March 3 | 3 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center (C-130)

Description: Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis invites you to an afternoon of poetry and conversation with Dominican writer Chiqui Vicioso, who will present selections from thirty years of her literary work. Vicioso will offer reflections on identity, migration, Caribbean history, and the role of women’s voices in shaping cultural memory in the Americas.

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 | 1:00 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 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: 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 proud to host 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.



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.

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.