Friday, February 27, 2026 | Vol. 12, No. 5

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS

My Dear Colleagues and Students,

A week in which we were humbled by mother nature comes to an end. Words of thanks cannot express the gratitude we all feel to our essential worker colleagues, in particular our Custodians and Public Safety officers. Nevertheless, the Hostos family remained active, informative and proceeded with significant celebrations of Black History Month.  Mil gracias.

Please continue to support our students' engagement in the teaching and learning, and in providing guidance, advice and support in order to ensure a successful completion of the semester.

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.

Call for Nominations for President’s Student Recognition Events in Spring 2026!

The Office of the President is pleased to announce two student recognition events taking place this spring, supported by Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives. Each event will celebrate up to 15 students who have shown exceptional persistence and resiliency in achieving their academic goals while overcoming significant challenges. We invite all faculty and staff to nominate one or two students to be honored at one of the following events:

President’s Recognition Tea in Honor of Women’s History Month - March 26, 2026

Nominations must be received by March 12, 2026. Selected students will be notified by March 19, 2026.

President’s Recognition Barbeque in Honor of Student Resiliency - April 13, 2026

Nominations must be received by March 27, 2026. Selected students will be notified by April 3, 2026.

Nominees must be enrolled students for the Spring 2026 semester and have earned 12 or more credits at Hostos with a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered. Selected students and nominating faculty/staff members will have the opportunity to attend one of the scheduled celebratory events and receive a special recognition from President Daisy Cocco De Filippis. Each selected student will receive a certificate, book, and $500 stipend. This is a wonderful opportunity for faculty and staff to nominate a student that has made major strides in advancing their education at Hostos while facing difficulties that could have deterred them from moving forward. We want to honor students whose strength of character and determination is propelling them to greater heights in their academic journey.

To nominate a student please complete the form here.

HRC Event Next Week

Hostos Research Center Colloquium Series

Date | Time: March 4, 2026 | 12:30 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center (C-130)

Description: The Hostos community is invited to attend the first event in the Hostos Research Center Colloquium Series this spring that will showcase a research presentation from an ADELANTE/IDEAS grantee. Our keynote speaker is Eric Ritholz, Online Learning Coordinator, who will present “Artificial Intelligence Teaching Assistant (AITA): Enhancing Student Learning and Teacher Support.”

INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT (OIERA)

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

Artificial Intelligence, Institutional Effectiveness and Institutional Sovereignty

The role of AI in higher education and discussions about what it means for learning, teaching, academic integrity and definitions of work are inescapable - understandably so given the magnitude of its impact which is already inextricably interwoven with daily operations. Artificial intelligence and the set of tools available create fear and serious concern that students’ ability to learn and think will be disrupted and that faculty and staff labor will be replaced by AI. (Conversely, some are wary that AI will allow staff and faculty to offset some labor, creating time for new distributions of time and effort rather than embracing the opportunities to encourage and share innovative practices like we do through our CTL and other venues).  

In addition to well-founded concerns about negative impacts on learning and teaching, critical thinking and creativity, AI also invites innovation, collaboration, resistance and reproduction of knowledges that counter biases, challenge accepted frameworks and support creative responses to everyday challenges (i.e. using non-coding to build apps). Among the challenges to institutions - both CUNY and Hostos - is how do we prepare students, staff and faculty to be AI aware, knowledgeable and skilled and to use AI securely and ethically? 

The Middle States Commission for Higher Education (MSCHE), the accreditation commission to which we belong (as do all CUNY institutions) requires that member institutions have clearly stated AI policies and procedures. OIERA drafted a detailed policy that relates strictly to the work done by OIERA in support of institutional research and assessment. Once finalized, implementation will include citing which AI platforms or tools were used to complete reports and analyses. Already guided by principles of data governance that protect data security, OIERA uses AI in numerous ways to write code and queries, perform analyses and suggest findings. We are always responsible for our final products regardless of the tools we have used. 

Hostos will also have college-wide AI policies and procedures. The President has convened an AI Committee with representation from faculty and staff, led by Executive Chief of Staff Diana Kreymer. There are several OAA initiatives to address AI use and AI and academic integrity; CTL provides resources and workshops. 

AI sovereignty is an area that remains underarticulated and under-developed within OIERA, at Hostos and across CUNY. AI sovereignty for higher education institutions is the ability to independently control, develop and govern its own AI technologies, infrastructure and resources. (see Salden 2025). CUNY has a contract with CoPilot as part of the larger institutional contract with Microsoft; CoPilot at CUNY is a closed system, secure yet not transparent, which is expected for a product developed by Microsoft (this is not a judgement one way or another). Additionally, there are steps being taken towards greater AI sovereignty at various scales: for example, the CUNY AI ecosystem continues to grow, a dynamic meta level net of largely faculty-led projects and innovations supported by grants (five Hostos faculty and staff were recently awarded five such grants), CUNY Critical AI Literacy Institute (CALI) and other initiatives. Projects often include the development of open source and open weight AI tools. On a much more substantial scale, CUNY is a member of EmpireAI, a state-wide consortium of public and private institutions that was launched in 2024. The first phase is the development of a computing system at SUNY Buffalo for training AIs in a closed environment. The system is scheduled to be completed in 2026; some researchers across multiple disciplines have early access. 

While seemingly far from OIERA’s research and reporting responsibilities, keeping an eye on how AI is being implemented, governed and developed at CUNY helps us understand how to situate Hostos’ policies and procedures in relation to the University’s strategies. This helps us think about how to frame assessment of AI literacy and skills development* among students and across curricula, and also how, as an institution, we are approaching opportunities to engage and contribute to how AI is used and governed. 

*USDOL has a great Literacy Framework and Graphic (scroll to the end for the graphic) that provides a career-connected framework for thinking about AI literacy and skills development.

POLICY OF THE WEEK

Highlighting CUNY Policies You Should Know

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

CUNY Policy on Drug and Alcohol

The City University of New York ("CUNY") is an institution committed to promoting the physical, intellectual, and social development of all individuals. As such, CUNY seeks to prevent the abuse of drugs and alcohol, which can adversely impact performance and threaten the health and safety of students, employees, their families, and the general public. CUNY complies with all federal, state, and local laws concerning the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol. Read the full policy here.

GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Submitted by Director Eric Radezky, Ph.D.

New York City Government Resources: Food Security, Mental Health and More

This week’s updates come from the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit.  Click on the links below if you need help in these areas.

• Food Help NYC: Free food locations including food pantries & soup kitchens.

• NYC Well: Free, confidential mental health support in more than 200 languages, 24/7/365. Call 888-NYC-WELL or text “WELL” to 65173.

• Buildings After Hours: Free in-person sessions with the Department of Buildings (DOB) staff on the first and third Tuesdays of every month from 4 PM to 7 PM at your local borough office, no appointment necessary.

• Notify NYC: Enroll for free in New York City’s dedicated emergency public communications program.

• 311: Non-emergency municipal services available online, by texting 311-692, or by calling 3-1-1 from within the City or 212-NEW-YORK outside the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing 212-504-4115.

OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY

Submitted by Associate Director Stephanie Oliviero





Policies on Sexual Misconduct and Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination 

CUNY students, employees and visitors deserve the opportunity to live, learn and work free from Sexual Misconduct. Accordingly, CUNY is committed to: 

1. Defining conduct that constitutes Sexual Misconduct. 
2. Providing clear guidelines for students, employees and visitors on how to report incidents of Sexual Misconduct. 
3. Providing ongoing assistance and support to all parties after allegations of Sexual Misconduct have been made. 
4. Promptly and respectfully responding to and investigating allegations of Sexual Misconduct, pursuing disciplinary action when appropriate and taking action to investigate and address any allegations of retaliation. 
5. Providing awareness and prevention information on Sexual Misconduct, including widely disseminating this Policy, as well as a “Students’ Bill of Rights” and implementing training and educational programs on Sexual Misconduct to college constituencies. 
6. Gathering and analyzing information and data that will be reviewed in order to improve safety, reporting, responsiveness and the resolution of allegations of Sexual Misconduct. 
7. Distinguishing between the specific conduct defined as Title IX Sexual Harassment by the USDOE and the broader definition of Sexual Misconduct prohibited by this Policy. 
8. Ensuring compliance with the federal regulations under Title IX, and other federal, state and local laws. 

This is CUNY’s sole policy to address Sexual Misconduct and it is applicable at all CUNY colleges and units. This Policy will be interpreted in accordance with the principles of academic freedom adopted by CUNY’s Board of Trustees. Read more here.

Additionally, the City University of New York (“University” or “CUNY”), located in a historically diverse municipality, is committed to a policy of equal employment and equal access in its educational programs and activities. Diversity, inclusion, and an environment free from discrimination are central to the mission of the University. It is the policy of the University—applicable to all colleges and units— to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and provide benefits to employees (including paid and unpaid interns) and to admit and provide services for students without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, partnership status, disability, genetic information, alienage, citizenship, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses, unemployment status, or any other legally prohibited basis in accordance with federal, state and city laws. Read more in CUNY’s Policy on Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination.

NEWS FROM THE DIVISIONS

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OAA AND SDEM

Submitted by Provost and Academic Affairs VP Andrea Fabrizio, Ph.D. and SDEM VP Althea Sterling, Ed.D.

Updates on Our CUNY Survey

In 2024, CUNY administered the Our CUNY Survey to all degree seeking students. The survey opened on November 13, 2024 and closed on December 20, 2024. The University response rate was 7.6%. Approximately 500 Hostos students completed the survey representing 10% of our fall 24 degree seeking student body. Hostos student responses to the survey were overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the inclusive and supportive environment our administration, faculty, and staff strive to create.

• 90% of students who completed the survey responded favorably when asked if they feel comfortable expressing their point of view when they disagree in class.
• 95% responded favorably when asked if people of different races, origins, and ancestries get along with each other.
• 97% responded positively to people of different religions getting along with each other.
• 90% of students indicated the felt accepted by Hostos faculty and staff*.

*Percents include strongly agree, agree and somewhat agree responses.

These results reflect the collective efforts of the campus community to cultivate an environment that fosters belonging and inclusivity. This is also reflected in the level of student engagement at the campus, which was 87% in fall 25. Through various initiatives and programming, such as the Hostos Student Symposium, and the Interfaith Symposium, we create meaningful opportunities for students to engage, build connections, and experience a genuine sense of community. Leadership is fully committed to celebrating students in diverse and meaningful ways. The voices of our students are consistently integrated into the College’s governance and decision‑making processes. Student leaders play a central role in this effort. A designated student representative always serves on key committees that influence institutional planning, creating the opportunity for students’ perspectives to be reflected in decision making. Additionally, student leaders participate in monthly meetings with the President and senior leadership to communicate emerging concerns, provide feedback, and share insights from the broader student body. These structured opportunities for engagement help ensure that student input is not only heard but meaningfully reflected in institutional priorities and actions.

These initiatives and opportunities represent just a few of the ways Hostos works to build community and create opportunities for inclusive, meaningful engagement among students, faculty, and staff.

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (SDEM)

Submitted by VP Althea Sterling, Ed.D.

Scholarships



Scholarship Opportunities Now Available! The Hostos Community College Scholarship Office is excited to announce that internal scholarships are now open, offering 30 opportunities for students.

Don’t miss your chance to apply! For more information, please visit Hostos Scholarships at www.hostos.academicworks.com. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Marina Esquilin, Scholarship Specialist, at mesquilin@hostos.cuny.edu or call 718-518-4166.

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

• 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

Guide to Facilities Assistance Requests

During the periods of extreme cold in January and early February, heating systems across campus were temporarily set above normal levels to protect our buildings from frozen pipes and potential flooding. Now that outdoor temperatures have moderated, systems have been returned to standard operating levels. We will continue to monitor conditions and make adjustments in individual spaces as needed.

Winter is not yet over. Temperature fluctuations remain, and we will respond accordingly to maintain safe and comfortable facilities.

If you are experiencing heating or other HVAC concerns, please call the appropriate extension and submit a work order. Submitting a work order ensures the issue is properly documented, routed, and addressed promptly, and allows Campus Operations to prioritize and manage requests efficiently.

For matters beyond temperature-related issues, please also submit a work order for any services requiring the attention of our facilities or custodial staff. The guidelines below outline how to request assistance:

For emergencies: Call Public Safety at x6888 or 911.

For immediate or urgent needs: Call the appropriate extension listed below. Do not submit a work order for these situations.

• Heating, Ventilation, or Air Conditioning: x4488
• Unusual odors or malodors: x4488, x4349, or x6888
• Leaks, floods, or spills: x4488, x4469, or x6888
• Bathroom supplies: x4488 or x4469
• Electrical outages: x4488
• Health and safety concerns: x4349
• Exterminator requests: x4349

For non-urgent work order requests: Each division or department has designated individuals authorized to submit Facilities Work Orders through the Archibus system. In accordance with CUNY Central policy, only these designated individuals may submit requests. Please contact your division or department’s designee to initiate a service request.

All non-emergency service requests must be submitted through the Facilities Work Order System. This includes non-urgent repair, cleaning, and maintenance tasks such as light bulb replacement, furniture moves, shelving installation, painting, and floor restoration. The work order system enables Campus Operations to organize and assign tasks efficiently; therefore, please do not make service requests directly to individual engineering, maintenance, or custodial staff members.

Please also note that Campus Operations does not provide furniture assembly services. Assembly must be arranged directly with the furniture vendor.

Thank you for your continued cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and well-functioning campus environment.

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

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 VP Julie Gafney, Ph.D.

Board Director Carolyn McLaughlin Establishes New Transfer Scholarship

Former BronxWorks Executive Director Carolyn McLaughlin, who has served on the Hostos Community College Foundation Board since 2014, established a new scholarship for Hostos students preparing to continue their education toward a bachelor’s degree. The McLaughlin Family Scholarship for Transfer Students at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College will be awarded starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. The College is deeply grateful to Carolyn for her dedicated support of Hostos students, which she has demonstrated through more than $27,000 in gifts to support various scholarships and service on the Foundation Board executive committee.

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!

CEWD Continues Strengthening Partnerships across CUNY

CEWD Vice President Fernandez-Ketcham and Jazmine Pacheco, a CEWD Community Health Worker (CHW) certificate graduate now enrolled in the Recovery Hub Dental Assistant Program, visited LaGuardia Community College to meet with New York Community Trust (NYCT) grant officers. The meeting focused on the NYC Accelerated Workforce Recovery HUB initiative, a partnership with LaGuardia Community College that aims to address workforce equity and expand access to high-impact training opportunities within our communities.

The Recovery HUB was developed in response to the employment crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the life of the grant, we launched all components of the Recovery HUB model across our two campuses, serving 2,565 students—including 831 scholarship recipients—through 14 training tracks. We also engaged in systems-change efforts designed to impact thousands of additional workforce students served during the project period. Key accomplishments included establishing scholarship funds through our college foundations and implementing comprehensive intake and assessment, educational case management, credential-attainment support, career development, internships, and job placement services.

At Hostos specifically, CEWD provided scholarships to 387 students. More than 300 have completed their programs and earned certificates, 145 are currently employed, and nearly 80 are finishing their courses this spring. Jazmine Pacheco expressed gratitude for completing the Community Health Worker certificate, noting that it strengthened her skills in community outreach, health education, and care coordination. Now enrolled in the Dental Assistant program, she hopes to integrate dental care into her community-based work. Jazmine also supports community engagement by helping recruit aspiring CHWs and serves as a coordinator with our Liberty Partnership High School Program.

Our Caimans Secure CUNY-wide Championship Third Year in a Row!

The Hostos Caimans cemented their dominance on the hardwood on Friday, February 20, defeating Queensborough Community College 65–63 to win the 2026 CUNY Community College Men’s Basketball Championship and secure their third consecutive CUNY-wide title. Read more here.

Professor Gail August on Accents

Congrats to Professor Gail August, Associate Professor of Language and Cognition, who was interviewed for a piece on the erosion of regional accents. See full story on ABC News here.

English Department Professors Attend Humanities Luncheon at CUNY BMCC

Professors Gregory Marks, Tram Nguyen, and Amina Tajbhai of the English Department proudly represented Hostos Community College at “The Arc of the Nation: America at 250 Conference” at Borough of Manhattan Community College. Their participation highlighted Hostos’s ongoing commitment to the humanities, civic dialogue, and interdisciplinary learning. Kudos!

Hostos Participates in Bronx Food Humanities Program

Hostos is one of the Bronx colleges involved in the Bronx Food Humanities Program, funded by the Mellon Foundation. Learn 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 Presentation: “Beyond Emancipation: Maroon Freedoms in US Literature” by Professor Sean Gerrity

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

Location: Zoom

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: La Música Dominicana 

Date | Time: Saturday, February 28 | 7:30 PM

Location: Main Theater

Description: Típico, merengue, bachata, dembow - ¡con un toque de carnaval y folclore! A night of the island’s defining rhythms, featuring Raúl Acosta & Oro Sólido, Tito Kenton, Haraca Kiko, Juancky “La Diferencia,” plus instrumental soloists, dancers, and masked carnival performers bringing Quisqueya to life on the Hostos stage. Get tickets here.

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

Date | Time: Wednesday, March 4 | 11 AM - 12:30 PM

Location: TBD

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: NEW DATE: DOMINICAN HERITAGE MONTH | Mini-Symposium

Date | Time: Tuesday, March 10 | 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 | 1:00 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: Heightened Scrutiny: Transgender Rights in a Shifting Landscape

Date | Time: Monday, March 23 | 3 - 6 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center

Description: How are our civil rights created and protected? How easily can they be taken away? Follow ACLU attorney Chase Strangio as he argues to protect trans youth at the Supreme Court in the documentary Heightened Scrutiny, with a Q&A with director Sam Feder. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the battle for transgender rights, the legal system, and making documentary films. Light refreshments will be offered. The Hostos LGBTQIA+ Council thanks the Hostos Research Center and the Ms. Mackenzie Scott Educating for Diversity Grant.

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.