Friday, February 6, 2026 | Vol. 12, No. 2

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS

Dear Hostos Family,

I am happy to share my All-College Meeting remarks this week. It was so wonderful to see many of you join us.

All-College Meeting, February 5, 2026, Hostos Community College

Welcome Remarks

Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., President

My Dear Colleagues and Students,

As we gather once again as one Hostos family, let me affirm, as I have done at every college meeting since November 6, 2024, our commitment to respect, diversity, inclusivity and caring for one another. Those from all backgrounds, faiths, and religions are welcome and embraced and included in loving and respectful ways. That is Hostos. 

I am asking colleagues and students to refer any student experiencing anxiety to connect as soon as possible with VP Sterling, Dean Gómez and the Counseling Center in order to discuss concerns. Let me assure you all that everything in our power to support our students is being put in place and will be put in place as needs evolve. 

Let us now come together in an afternoon of sharing. It is powerful to gather at the beginning of each semester to commit to work as one Hostos family on significant challenges and achievements.



This academic year we continued to reach out and to keep the college community informed, as we have done since Fall 2020, in the Hostos Weekly / Semanario Hostosiano’s entries about our collective work which so many of us have shared. Thank you for continuing to work hard to find solutions to challenging situations, from fixing issues with our physical spaces to focusing on teaching effectiveness and successful retention of our students in our classrooms and academic support strategies. This also includes supporting morale by means of multiple activities outside of the classroom and by so many other activities to maintain a robust intellectual life. This work has been supported as well by those on the ground, our generous laborers and custodians and Public Safety colleagues. Thank you, mil gracias, does not begin to express the gratitude and the pride I feel.

This afternoon we celebrate the beginning of the second semester of academic year 2025-26, a year that saw us overcome and continue to persevere despite challenges. We are moving forward with plans to support Allied Health, Nursing and Natural Sciences with the assignment by CUNY of space at the former Bronx General Post Office on 558 Grand Concourse. Our faculty and staff are working hand-in-hand with the Madruga team on space planning, and renovations are expected to begin this Spring 2026. 

Enrollment continued to grow this semester estimated at this time as a more than 3% increase in FTEs, supported by an increase in our retention numbers. Thank you to our academic chairs, faculty and colleagues in SDEM for the continued encouragement of early registration, and please continue to create new strategies and efforts. Our retention gains represent a major focus as we innovate in developmental education, Gateway courses, cohort offerings and advisement investments. At a recent retreat of the Executive Cabinet, I observed with gratitude and appreciation how collegiality and collaboration define our team. Mil gracias. 

The generous support and diligence of the Hostos Advisory Corps for Ms. MacKenzie Scott Gift’s: President’s Initiatives have brought life to research, transfer programs and multiple activities at Hostos. We celebrate powerful results in engagement and participation in initiatives that go from Families United in Education, Hostos Research Center’s innovations, workforce initiatives in non-credit-to-credit opportunities, Educating for Diversity programming, NextGen Public Health Scholars and other 2+2+2 transfer opportunities, Mentor/Mentee Jobs on Campus, and much more. Our CEWD area is to be congratulated for the securing of significant grants, the growth of their non-credit enrollments, and the non-credit to credit strategies in collaboration with Academic Affairs, making progress on their academic planning. 

Administration continues to keep us in the black, and supports new initiatives, such as taking over supervision of the Division of Institutional Advancement for now until we are joined on February 17 by the newly appointed Vice President. Many thanks to former VP Colette Atkins for her dedication and good work, as she moves on to a new phase of her journey. As always, we stay focused, we stay the course on our students’ success, and remain vigilant about next budgetary steps.

I know you have heard me say this before but it is worth repeating that my particular passion, a passion I share with many colleagues at Hostos, is giving students the opportunity to pursue a liberal arts foundation while also articulating career pathways that lead to jobs and careers that help them earn a good living.

Academic Affairs has been exemplary in course planning, working hand-in-hand with chairs and colleagues in SDEM and Administration on scheduling classes that support the needs of our students as well as the growth of academic programs. Bravi, and please continue to focus on scheduling that enhances programs’ completion.

A special thanks to all of our colleagues presenting this afternoon, and our kind student leader and College Senate leader. Thank you to the members of the President’s Office, our Cabinet, our students, our faculty and administration colleagues. Our talented colleagues Emanuel Diaz and Professor Thelma Ithier Sterling, who will be leading our celebration of Don Eugenio’s birthday.

As always, I close my remarks by reflecting on Pablo Neruda’s Nobel Laureate speech: his understanding of the connection we have with others and the responsibility we have to one another, as we try to move forward as human beings in this life’s journey. Here is a brief excerpt from Neruda’s speech, words some of you have heard me read many times before:

All paths lead to the same goal; to convey to others what we are…

but in this dance or in this song, there are fulfilled the most ancient

rites of our conscience in the awareness of being human and of

believing in a common destiny.

I wish us all a rewarding new semester. I know that Commencement this coming May will find us rejoicing in the fruits of our labor, as we celebrate our wonderful students’ persistence and diligence.

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.

Educating for Diversity Initiative Awards New Grants

As we start the Spring semester, it is wonderful to share important updates from Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives, which is continuing to engage our community in new learning and community-building experiences and providing vital support to advance student success. We are excited to announce that the Educating for Diversity Initiative has awarded 11 new grants totaling $15,000 for Spring 2026! These grants will support a variety of educational and cultural activities aimed at fostering meaningful dialogue, cultural exploration, and inclusive learning across our campus. The awarded projects will create vibrant spaces to bring our Hostos community together through creativity, dialogue, and collaboration. See official announcement with projects’ abstracts here.

ADELANTE Project Proposals – Deadline Extended!

The Hostos Research Center has extended the deadline for the 2026 ADELANTE Project Grants to February 9, 2026. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to support faculty- and staff‑led projects across all disciplines, especially those that advance innovative research, including creative or transformative interventions that address urgent or need‑based issues, and studies that investigate critical challenges impacting the South Bronx.

Funded projects will run for an entire year and include opportunities to engage students as research assistants, making this a great opportunity to enrich student learning. If you’re developing a new research idea or intervention that can make a meaningful impact, don’t miss this opportunity! Click here to access the application template and online submission portal. Act fast as the new deadline is this Monday!

INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT (OIERA)

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

Enrollment, Retention and the Perceived Value of Higher Education

We are living in a moment when the violence at the core of this country’s founding, written deep in our soil as well as being inscribed in places far beyond our borders, has erupted into view with bare insistence. And, because this is always also a country founded by those who imagined - and imagine - new possibilities, despair is paired with deep commitments to hope. Not blind hope, but hope informed by creativity, indignation and justice. This sounds lofty, but the possibility to imagine something beyond the current structures and realities is a daily act of living. 

This will take a predictable turn to institutional outcomes, and, hear me out:

The forces dominating federal actions at the moment have spent decades chipping away at the perceived value of higher education. Institutions have been demonized as hothouses of slanted and close-minded thinking intent on indoctrinating rather than teaching students. The purpose of college has been reduced to the technical skills and expertise gained in the classroom, even while employers repeat again and again that they seek students with critical thinking skills, with the ability to communicate with others, to negotiate and collaborate, to integrate ideas creatively across disciplines, and to analyze and adapt quickly to emerging scenarios. The voices determined to discredit higher education and thereby justify its continued de-funding are loud and persistent. 

And yet. Our Sp26 enrollment is up by 6.9% compared to Sp25 (preliminary, 2/1/2026), and up by 34.5% among first-time freshmen (427 students vs 318 in Sp25). Our retention is up (first-term retention of Fa25 first-time full-time freshmen rose to over 80%)*. The biggest enrollment growth has been in the pre-college (aka high school student) population - at Hostos and nationally. Hostos’ pre-matriculation programs (CLIP and CUNY Start) enrolled over 100% of their target for the second semester in a row. While students with academic support needs often had the lowest retention rates if they applied to college, CLIP and Start, which both provide advisement, academic tutoring and proactive case management, are recognized among students for the valuable foundations they provide for future success - and worth the investment of time. Student engagement in events on campus increased by 87% last semester (as reported by VP Sterling of SDEM), illustrating students’ interest in participating in the life of the college. 

While Hostos’ allied health programs - recognized widely by employers for the strength of their graduates - continue to attract many interested students, enrollment is growing in Computer Science, Game Design and in Liberal Arts Options including Psychology, Teacher Education and Social Work, among other degrees. Enrollment by modality continues to favor in-person courses (nearly two-thirds). 

The takeaway in these early weeks of the semester? Students see the value of higher education. They are not fooled by those who can’t deny them access any longer, but can try to denigrate their academic aspirations, and the careers they lead to. While there are legitimate and lucrative pathways beyond those offered by higher ed, the majority of high wage jobs (including those in academia and related pursuits) require higher education - yes for the skills imparted, and yes for the opportunities to think, to learn, to stretch and to connect. And to imagine, collectively and individually, what might be. 

*Data are preliminary; report date is 2/1/2026

POLICY OF THE WEEK

Highlighting CUNY Policies You Should Know

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

Computer Use Policy

CUNY’s Digital Assets and Resources are dedicated to the achievement of the University’s mission of education, research, and public service. This policy, which guides the University’s use of its digital assets and resources, is intended to maintain the continuity of CUNY’s IT and business operations, and protect the University, and its students, faculty, and staff. Read the full Computer Use Policy here.

GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Submitted by Director Eric Radezky, Ph.D.

Do You Qualify for the Fair Fares NYC Program?

Fair Fares NYC is a City program created to help New Yorkers with low incomes manage their transportation costs. Using the Fair Fares NYC, eligible New York City residents receive a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares. Fair Fares can also provide 50% off MTA Access-A-Ride paratransit trips.

To qualify you must be between the ages of 18 and 64, live in New York City, meet income limits (see website), and not receive a discounted OMNY Card from any other New York City program.

Visit the Fair Fares website to check your eligibility, create an account and apply.

OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY

Submitted by Associate Director Stephanie Oliviero



Black History Month



As we embark on the month of February, it is with great significance and respect that we recognize and celebrate Black History Month. This dedicated period allows us to delve deeper into the vibrant tapestry of Black and African-American history, culture, and achievements that have shaped our nation and the world. Black History Month stands as a testament to the rich legacy of Black and African-American individuals who have made indelible marks in various fields: from the arts and sciences to politics, sports, and social justice. It is an opportunity to not only celebrate achievements but also acknowledge the struggles and challenges faced throughout history and recognize the resilience and strength of the Black and African-American community. By delving into the diverse narratives, experiences and accomplishments of Black and African-American individuals, we enrich our collective knowledge and foster a more inclusive environment. In celebrating Black History Month, we honor the past, acknowledge the present, and actively shape a more inclusive future for all. 

NEWS FROM THE DIVISIONS

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS (OAA)

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

Dr. Fabrizio Served as Panelist at the 2026 CUNY Conference on Undergraduate Research

On January 23, 2026, Provost Andrea Fabrizio was a panelist at the 2026 CUNY Conference on Undergraduate Research held at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The panel “Pathways to a Research Career” focused on future research trajectories for students, bridges and pathways from CUNY community colleges to senior colleges, and pathways from undergraduate research to careers in science. This was an exciting opportunity to highlight the depth of our undergraduate research opportunities at Hostos. 

Hostos Faculty and Staff are Funded to Study the Uses of AI In a Variety of Learning Environments

The Office of Academic Affairs is delighted to congratulate our five teams of faculty and staff who have been awarded CUNY AI Grants to study initiatives that include the use of Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning environments. A few of them are highlighted below.   

Scaling Ethical AI Agents for STEM Tutoring

Submitted by Dr. Lissette Jourdain, Director of the Hostos Academic Learning Center (HALC)

Dr. Lissette Jourdain, Director of the Hostos Academic Learning Center (HALC), and Ana Marjanovic, LMS Administrator and Instructional Designer from the Office of Educational Technology were awarded a $25,000 CUNY AI Grant to support Scaling Ethical AI Agents for STEM Tutoring. This collaboration will allow the HALC to expand on the work supported by IDEAS and ADELANTE grants, which involves the creation of an AI manual for STEM tutors to support students learning on AI usage to complement STEM tutoring. The manual’s guidelines will be aligned with FERPA. Tutors will continue to be trained on designing Bots, accessibility, and Universal Design for Learning to ensure high quality tutoring support.

Hostos AI Studio: A Faculty Lab for Ethical AI Literacy and Pedagogy Innovation

Submitted by Dr. Nelson Nunez-Rodriguez, Professor, Natural Sciences Department

Hostos AI Studio: A Faculty Lab for Ethical AI Literacy and Pedagogy Innovation creates a sustainable faculty development model for responsible AI integration, led by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) in collaboration with Educational Technology (EdTech). Using an inquiry studio approach, faculty address how to support academically vulnerable students in developing ethical AI literacy. Building on the Hostos AI Hub and CTL/EdTech AI Corner, faculty redesign assignments and revise in-person and online syllabi to embed transparent, accessible, and ethical AI use. Three faculty–EdTech inquiry groups collaborate through colloquia, online sessions, and Brightspace. Outcomes include revised syllabi and assignments, expanded AI Corner resources, strengthened faculty capacity, and campus-wide dissemination through CTL and EdTech events. Project Directors: Director Carlos Guevara, Prof. Jacqueline DiSanto and Prof. Nelson Nunez Rodriguez. Project Facilitators: Prof. Alisa Roost, Prof. Denise Cummings-Clay, Ana Marjanovic and Eric Ritholz.

AI Info-synthesis: A Critical AI Literacy Module

Submitted by Dr. Jason Buchanan, Chair, English Department

Incoming students at Hostos represent a spectrum of experience with AI tools: some have never prompted a chatbot, while others have grown accustomed to accepting AI output for any task. Neither extreme serves students well. To meet this growing need, the English Department will develop a curriculum module for first-year courses that directly confronts this challenge. The module's central goal is to position AI not as a writing shortcut but as a research and thinking tool. Students will learn alternative AI applications that extend far beyond essay generation, such as research navigation, study tool creation, brainstorming, and accessibility support. All these techniques will be buttressed by a firm understanding of ethical AI use in college and professional settings.

AI Teaching Fellows

Submitted by Dr. Alisa Roost, Unit Coordinator, Visual and Performing Arts – Humanities Department

Professors Alisa Roost and Victor Torres-Vélez received a CUNY OAA AI Innovation Fund grant to launch an AI Teaching Fellows cohort at Hostos this spring. The project will support up to ten faculty (you must have submitted by Feb 2nd)—prioritizing those who teach courses with technology-related learning outcomes or who already use AI at a high level—to redesign one course with responsible, transparent AI use built into the assignments. Fellows will share their work with the campus in a May showcase and contribute to a reusable Brightspace shell that future faculty can adapt in their own classes.

Faculty as Builders: Using AI to Create Flexible Active Learning Tools

Submitted by Ana Marjanovic, Instructional Designer/LMS Admin, Office of Educational Technology (EdTech), Hostos CC

The Faculty as Builders project empowers instructors to design their own lightweight, AI‑supported learning tools. As generative AI reshapes teaching and assessment, this project helps faculty move beyond vulnerable text‑based assignments and toward interactive, process‑driven learning experiences that promote authentic thinking.



Through a selective cohort of up to five faculty members, participants will learn to create custom web applications—such as simulations, adaptive practice modules, reasoning tasks, multilingual supports, and other multimedia activities—using responsible AI workflows and rapid prototyping techniques like vibe coding.

Led by Ana Marjanovic (Project Lead), with Wilfredo Rodriguez and Luz Rivera as co‑leads, the program integrates the COTE Framework’s expectations for ethical and accessible AI use. Every app will include clear pedagogical goals, documented accessibility features, and built‑in safeguards; none will collect student-identifying data.

Completed tools will be published openly in a GitHub repository and featured on the CUNY AI Corner, expanding a growing library of Creative Commons–licensed, discipline‑specific learning applications.

Students benefit from interactive, course‑aligned tools that support exploration, reasoning, and diverse learning needs, while faculty gain practical skills in ethical AI integration and lightweight web‑app development. Collectively, the initiative strengthens CUNY’s commitment to digital equity, cross‑campus collaboration, and a culture of transparent, responsible AI innovation.

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (SDEM)

Submitted by VP Althea Sterling, Ed.D.

Student Leadership Academy

Spring 2026 Applications Now Open!

Workshops begin February 20, 2026. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Become a Leader. Make an Impact. Shape Your Future.

The Hostos Student Leadership Academy (SLA) is looking for students who want to grow, serve their community, and step into leadership roles on campus and beyond.

Available programs:

• Emerging Leaders Program (ELP): Open to ALL Hostos students.
• Student Ambassador Program: Represent Hostos with pride.
• Student Orientation Services (SOS) Team: Support campus events.
• Hostos Volunteer Corps: Volunteer when you can.

Request more information: https://forms.office.com/r/bej1agcqvJ

Contact: Jason Libfeld, Student Leadership Coordinator

jlibfeld@hostos.cuny.edu | (718) 518-6541

Follow us on Instagram: @hostossla

Financial Aid

As Spring 2026 classes get underway, this is an ideal time to review your financial aid and make sure everything is in place for the semester. Students are encouraged to confirm that their financial aid steps are complete so funds are available as needed. The FAFSA for the 2025–2026 aid year, which covers Spring 2026, is open, and submitting it early remains beneficial since many campus-based programs award aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Completing your FAFSA now can also help ensure a smooth process if additional documents are needed.

To complete the FAFSA, you’ll need a few important items, including your Social Security number, 2023 tax information, and basic household financial details. Filling out the application at studentaid.gov gives you access to financial support like Pell Grants, Federal Work‑Study, and federal student loans, resources that can make a big difference in covering your college costs. Staying ahead of FAFSA deadlines and Hostos enrollment dates means you can focus on your classes instead of scrambling with last-minute paperwork.

If you need help completing your FAFSA or have questions about your financial aid, the Office of Financial Aid Lab is open and ready to support you. The lab can help with FAFSA filing, uploading documents, and understanding your aid options. You can find full service details and current hours at www.hostos.cuny.edu, so you can stop by whenever it works best for your schedule.

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE (ADM)

Submitted by SVP Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne

CUNYWork Update

As we begin the Spring 2026 semester, CUNYWork continues to move forward. CUNYWork is a university-wide initiative to implement Workday, a modern, cloud-based system that will replace CUNY’s legacy human resources and finance systems. Workday is scheduled to launch in January 2027 across all campuses and the Central Office. Once implemented, it will serve as the primary system for HR and Finance staff in their daily operations, and all CUNY employees will use Workday for employee self-service functions.

The CUNYWork project has now enteried its next phase, Architect and Configure 2 (A&C 2), as of February 2. A&C 2 Review Sessions kicked off on February 2 and will continue through April 3. Similar to the A&C 1 Review Sessions held in the fall, these sessions will help establish the foundation for Unit Testing, End-to-End Testing, and User Experience Review. Together, these activities are designed by Workday to ensure consistent and seamless processes across Human Resources and Finance at all campuses.

For A&C 2, Workday has introduced a more structured approach. A smaller, more closely aligned group of functional area experts, identified by their respective campus leads, will conduct unit testing and provide focused feedback. While A&C 1 benefited from broad participation, that approach also created challenges related to testing responsibilities and feedback consistency. The refined methodology in A&C 2 is intended to address those challenges and optimize outcomes for this project phase.

Planning for end-user training is also underway, with training sessions scheduled for Fall 2026. These sessions will support staff in learning how to access, navigate, and effectively use Workday as the system becomes part of everyday operations.

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  

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

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 Kelsey Hillebrand

Inaugural Alumni Newsletter Published

We are excited to announce the launch of the very first Hostos Community College Alumni Newsletter! The first issue can be accessed here. Thank you to all those who contributed thoughtful work for this inaugural issue.

We invite you to become a collaborator by submitting original content on topics that matter most to you and our community. To contribute to the next issue, simply complete our submission form and upload your content for review. You will also have the option to include a profile picture to be featured alongside your work.

Let's make this newsletter a powerful reflection of the diversity, talent, and impact of Hostos alumni. Together, we will continue to inspire, inform, and strengthen the Hostos legacy. 

Gerstner Philanthropies Awards $40,000 for Food Pantry and Vouchers

Gerstner Philanthropies has awarded $40,000 to support the Food Pantry at Hostos, including $10,000 to provide hot meal vouchers. The Foundation is grateful to Gerstner for its continued partnership, which also supports emergency grants up to $3,000 for students facing a one-time emergency. To learn more about accessing the Food Pantry or eligibility for the voucher program, please visit Hostos One Stop in the D building, or email One Stop Manager Madeline Cruz at mcruz@hostos.cuny.edu. 

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!

Foundation Board Directors Invest in Reviving Hostos Alumni Homecoming

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, Hostos Community College will host its first Alumni Homecoming in more than a decade. This once-beloved event fizzled after staff transitions, but two visionary Board members are investing their own capital in reviving the Homecoming as an annual celebration of Hostos’ lifelong impact on its graduates. 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: Nai Ni Chen: Lunar New Year Celebration

Date | Time: Sunday, February 8 | 3 PM & Tuesday, February 10 | 11 AM

Location: Hostos Main Theater

Description: Gallop into 2026 with a joyful, high-energy Lunar New Year celebration led by the internationally acclaimed Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company. This vibrant, family-friendly program features graceful Chinese dance, exciting world premieres, and dynamic live music – all inspired by the unstoppable spirit of the Horse, symbolizing speed, strength, passion, and freedom. Celebrate the Lunar New Year through movement, music, and shared joy. A festive experience perfect for audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds! Get tickets.

Title: Valentine’s Day Prom

Date | Time: Wednesday, February 11 | 5 - 7 PM

Location: Hostos Cafeteria (Building C, Third Floor)

Description: Everyone is invited to share love at the Hostos LGBTQIA+ Council's Valentine's Day Prom! DJ Kidd Swagg is back with a fresh playlist, dinner will be served, and the cafeteria will shine. Mount Sinai's YASS! program will provide STI testing to ensure your Valentine's Day is fun and safe, and other local organizations will join to share LGBTQIA+ resources. All we need is YOU! Please note that alcohol is not permitted at this event and students' bags will be searched. If you are bringing someone who is not a Hostos student, please ask them to complete this form so we can provide their name to Public Safety.

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: 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. We are pleased to announce that 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 announce the revival of 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 proud to announce 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: More details coming soon.

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.