Friday, March 13, 2026 | Vol. 12, No. 7

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS

Dear Colleagues and Students,

It has been a kind week in terms of the weather and the joyful presence of students, staff and faculty at the College. I hope you’ve had opportunities to join some of the very powerful Women’s History Month activities, and the many informative conversations provided by SDEM and OAA.

I know we are all staying on the course of engagement, working closely with one another, ensuring that this will indeed be another successful retention semester for us all.

I conclude these brief remarks by encouraging you to follow the many productive activities that will take place this semester with the support of Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives. Dr. Oviedo continues to share information on opportunities as well as outcomes. Stay tuned.

I wish you a productive end to the workweek and a restful and enjoyable weekend.

Mil gracias y bendiciones,

Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.

President

POEM

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

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



Educating for Diversity Supports Community Learning and Engagement

March is a particularly eventful month of learning, cultural celebration, and community engagement with many wonderful activities sponsored by Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: Educating for Diversity Initiative. Last week, Professor Jennifer Tang from the Hostos Library hosted a powerful book presentation with author Jonathan Conyers, who shared his personal memoir, “I Wasn’t Supposed to be Here,” with our students, faculty, and staff. The author engaged thoughtfully with students as he answered their questions and reflected on his experiences.

This week, we celebrated Dominican Heritage Month with a half-day symposium, “The Evolving Health, Culture and Educational Landscape of Dominicans in the USA,” co-chaired by Dean Ana Garcia Reyes and Dr. Wilfredo Burgos-Matos. The program featured curated panels that focused on health, education, arts & culture, and women’s leadership roles. Hostos alumni and distinguished professionals led discussions that shed light on the achievements and contributions of Dominican communities, which provided valuable insights into the community’s powerful cultural legacy. Women’s History Month was also celebrated with a book discussion hosted by Professor Christine Choi and the Women and Gender Studies Council, featuring guest speaker Dr. Laura Horak, author of “Trans Cinema: Making Communities, Identities, and Worlds,” who offered an introductory exploration of cinema by trans creators. 

More events are in the works, so check here for all the details.

Nominate Students for President’s Student Recognition Tea

Today is the final day for faculty and staff to submit student nominations for the President’s Recognition Tea in Honor of Women’s History Month. This is an incredible opportunity to recognize students who have overcome adversity and remained steadfast in their educational pursuits. Nominations for the President’s Recognition BBQ in Honor of Student Persistence and Resiliency will close on March 27, providing an additional opportunity to honor outstanding students.

Nominations for the President’s Recognition Tea must be received by March 13, 2026, by 11:59 PM.

To nominate a student, please complete the nomination form here.

HRC Events

Hostos Research Center Colloquium Series

Date | Time: March 16, 2026 | 12:30 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center (C-130)

Description: The Hostos community is invited to attend the next event in the Hostos Research Center Colloquium Series that will feature a research presentation by the members of the HRC Steering Committee, Director Sofia Oviedo, Professor Yoel Rodriguez, and Professor Antonios Varelas, who will present their recently published article Building a Culture of Grantsmanship at an Urban Community College via Internal Grant Opportunities.

NextGen Public Health Scholars 2+2+2 Information Session

Date | Time: March 17, 2026 | 3 – 4 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center (C-130)

Description: Hostos students interested in pursuing a career in public health and applying to this transformative scholarship program are invited to an information session with Hostos and Columbia University representatives.

Hostos Research Center Colloquium Series

Date | Time: March 18, 2026 | 2 – 3:30 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center (C-130)

Description: Professor Inmaculada Lara-Bonilla from the Humanities department will share the rich contributions of Latina literary authors to theory and philosophy through her 2025 ADELANTE research, Giannina Braschi’s Putinoika (2024): Radically Polyphonic Writing and the Moving Seat of Freedom, which explores the elements that underpin the Puerto Rican author’s philosophy of writing, as well as her phenomenology of reading and writing as a multivalent proposal for liberation.

INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT (OIERA)

Submitted by AVP Babette Audant, Ph.D.

Expanding the Definition of Institutional Research (IR): Exploring AI-enabled Qualitative Methods

Institutional effectiveness is generally assessed using quantitative data to provide baselines, identify trends and suggest correlations. And, while numbers are not typically ever presented without narrative analysis (one of OIERA’s foundational commitments is to provide context and explanation, to communicate and facilitate access), we’ve typically grounded all of our reports in quantitative data because this is what available databases and analytic tools have made the most reliable and accessible.  

Some qualitative data is already incorporated into end-of-year reports, such as the Hostos Operational Plan final report and the Strategic Alignment Report (SAR) submitted to CUNY. This is typically qualitative data collected via large-scale institutional surveys, such as the Cap & Gown (which asks CUNY students about their post-graduation plans and career planning/development experiences) or the CUNY-wide student experience survey. These data are qualitative to an extent and then quantified for purposes of analysis; the students’ voices and word choices are not captured by these surveys. 

Artificial intelligence is already being used to power data analysis platforms, including Excel and Power BI. Of greater interest to the OIERA team is learning to use AI to help us, as well as faculty and staff, use anonymized student feedback or responses, gathered via text or transcription (ALWAYS with the students’ knowledge and participation), to learn more about how students are learning, engaging, building connections, and experiencing Hostos. Assessment happens all the time - and often students are demonstrating what they’ve learned at moments that are difficult to capture using only rubrics or other templates. Another gap in the assessment evidence we’ve been collecting is qualitative observations by faculty and staff about planning, teaching, curriculum development, or assessment itself. The digital tools we have today are so significantly different from what we had even three or four years ago; it’s a mistake for us not to expand how we assess and how we support assessment processes across the college. 

Part of the interest in what will be a slow evolution of practice is the marketing of AI-powered assessment tools across higher education that promise to mine quantitative data in real time to provide institutions with up to the minute insights about student behaviors and outcomes. The cost of these services is not generally made public; quotes are available upon consultation. We don’t need lightning speed data mining and we don’t need to surveille students in ways that threaten to make them the most vulnerable (biases are often built into AIs). The predictive course scheduling functions we have access to are more than sufficient. The CUNY Insights dashboards and CUNYFirst provide access to more data than most of us - OIERA included - will need to effectively assess student outcomes at a variety of scales, across a number of intersecting variables. What is starting to emerge in higher education in an interesting parallel to the rise of corporate AI-powered products is the integration of qualitative data as part of IR (institutional research), or IE (institutional effectiveness). Yes, much of it is and will be made possible by AI, but, careful, ethical use of readily available tools is sufficient to draw insights that can add perspectives and insights we’re otherwise missing. And, for OIERA, the invitation is to expand our mandate to do research, and not to limit ourselves to quantitative data only, but to explore how mixed methods approaches might be not only interesting, but meaningfully inform our work, to differently engage faculty and staff (and students!) in institutional assessment processes.

POLICY OF THE WEEK

Highlighting CUNY Policies You Should Know

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

CUNY-wide Sexual Misconduct Policy

This week, please take a look at the detailed Sexual Misconduct Policy for CUNY here.

GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Submitted by Director Eric Radezky, Ph.D.

Online NYC Voter Registration

Are you registered to vote?  The New York City Board of Elections has an online registration option.  You no longer need a paper application to register to vote, and using the online form takes only minutes. 

Other useful tools on the Board of Elections site include a way to check if you are registered to vote, the application for an absentee ballot, and an FAQ page about elections and voter registration in New York City. 

Don’t put it off, register to vote today!

OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY

Submitted by Associate Director Stephanie Oliviero



Ramadan

In this month of Ramadan, I extend warm greetings to all members of our diverse campus community who observe this sacred time. Ramadan holds profound significance for Muslims worldwide, marked by fasting from dawn until sunset, increased prayer, and acts of charity. It is a time of spiritual reflection and communal solidarity. In recognizing Ramadan, we affirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all community members feel valued and respected. Let us embrace Ramadan's values of compassion, empathy, and generosity. Let us be mindful of our Muslim colleagues and classmates, offering them support and understanding as they observe this important time. As we come together to celebrate our diversity and shared humanity, may this Ramadan be a source of blessing, peace, and joy for all.  

NEWS FROM THE DIVISIONS

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS (OAA)

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

First Year Mentorship Program Highlights

Submitted by Dr. Silvia Reyes, Director of Special Initiatives and Student Engagement

First Year Mentors continue to support new and transfer students as they acclimate to Hostos. As in previous years, mentors work closely with advisors, coaches, and faculty to help students build foundational skills, navigate academic and procedural challenges, and access key campus resources.

Since September 2025, FYE mentors have cofacilitated workshops, participated in campus events, answered student questions, and shared personal experiences to offer practical guidance. To support incoming Spring 2026 students, mentors hosted several New Student Gathering events, welcoming close to 100 students. They led ‑facilitated workshops, participated in campus events, answered student questions, and shared personal experiences to offer practical guidance. To support incoming Spring 2026 students, mentors hosted several New Student Gathering events, welcoming close to 100 students. They led small-group discussions, introduced students to learning platforms (Brightspace, CUNYfirst, Navigate), supported career ‑focused conversations, and provided campus tours and access to the resource fair.

Mentors also assisted with enrollment by helping students understand course requirements, plan schedules, and use Degree Works and Schedule Builder.

Through the First Year Seminar, mentors continued to provide firsthand insights, encourage students to view setbacks as learning opportunities, and strengthen their time management and academic confidence with academic platforms.

Mentors also contacted nearly 800 students via email and phone to guide them to new student gatherings, enrollment sessions, and other academic events.

Gateway to Year Two Program

Submitted by Dr. Silvia Reyes, Director of Special Initiatives and Student Engagement 

In Winter 2026, a group of students in the Gateway to Year Two Program participated in a three-day Career Research Seminar designed to provide them with practical tools and greater confidence in college-level work. They learned how to use OneSearch and Google Scholar, practiced reading more complex texts, and developed strategies for evaluating reliable sources. All activities were aimed at making research feel more manageable while strengthening overall academic skills.

The seminar also helped students connect their academic interests to future career paths. Through guided activities, they explored majors, career options, labor-market information, and relevant professional organizations. Students completed a short Career Profile assignment and shared their findings in supportive peer presentations. They also visited City College, giving them a clearer sense of transfer opportunities, market information, and relevant professional organizations. Students completed a short Career Profile assignment and shared their findings in supportive peer presentations. They also visited City College, giving them a clearer sense of transfer opportunities and long-term academic goals.

Early Prevention, Lasting Smiles!

Submitted by Dental Hygiene Student Thalia Japa

February is National Children's Dental Health Month, a time to focus on building healthy smiles through simple habits like brushing and flossing daily, choosing healthy foods, and visiting the dentist regularly. It can make a big difference. Tooth decay is common in children, but it's also highly preventable. Early education sets the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health.

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (SDEM)

Submitted by VP Althea Sterling, Ed.D.

Transfer Services

Transfer in Motion: The Stories Behind the Numbers

There is a moment in every transfer student’s journey that doesn’t show up in any dataset—the afternoon she sits at a kitchen table with a CUNYfirst confirmation page open on her phone, her child pulling at her sleeve, and decides that the message on the screen is real: she got in.

For some of our students, that screen loads at a library computer between shifts. For others, it arrives as a forwarded email from an advisor they almost didn’t return the call to. The 97 enrollment confirmations in this report each carry a version of that scene—private, unglamorous, and every bit as consequential as any ceremony.

But a transfer report is also, necessarily, a story about the students who didn’t land. The ones who applied and stalled, the ones we couldn’t reach, the ones who never saw a reason to try. Their numbers sit alongside the wins in the pages that follow—not as failures, but as the work still in front of us.

Cohort Snapshot

Of the 208 students who applied for graduation from Hostos this fall:

• 150 applied to four-year institutions
• 97 enrolled, a 64.7% conversion from application to enrollment
• 60.6% success among all reachable students who expressed interest

Other outcomes:

• 42 students were unreachable or uninterested
• 6 remained at Hostos
• 9 opted not to apply (seven in AAS programs: four ECE, two Digital Design-Animation, one Paralegal, reflecting workforce-oriented pathways)

This is our final update for the cohort as we turn toward spring 2026 campaigns.

Institutional Patterns

Lehman College remains the gravitational center of Hostos transfers. Thirty-six students enrolled there—well over a third of all successful transfers—reflecting both strong articulation and the practical reality of geography for our students. Twenty-one additional applicants didn’t convert, putting Lehman at a 63% rate.

Baruch and City Tech each posted the cycle’s strongest institutional conversion at 71%, and Hunter wasn’t far behind at 67%. When students commit to these schools, they tend to follow through.

The outlier is John Jay. Just 8 of 23 applicants enrolled, a conversion rate of 35%. The other fifteen, nearly all Criminal Justice majors, sit at accepted status with no enrollment to show for it. Whether the bottleneck is on the admissions side, the student side, or somewhere in between, fifteen stalled students at a single institution is a signal we can’t ignore.

City College also lagged at 44%. Its Liberal Arts applicants converted at just 43%, and two students—one in Computer Science, one in Nursing—were denied outright.

 By contrast:

• ECE posted the lowest conversion of any program at 46%—only 6 of 13 applicants enrolled—and four more ECE students never applied at all. That’s a combined ten students in a single program who didn’t advance.
• Criminal Justice converted at 50%, with its eight non-enrolled students clustered at John Jay.
• Liberal Arts, at 62%, looks respectable on its face, but the 19 students who applied and didn’t enroll represent the largest absolute number lost from any program—a population almost certainly shaped by the breadth of the major itself, where uncertainty about a receiving institution or intended field of study can stall momentum.

Program Performance: The story this cycle is one of programs delivering. 

• Computer Science posted a perfect 100% conversion rate — every student who applied enrolled, full stop. 
• Business Management converted 13 of 14 applicants at 93%, and Community Health wasn't far behind at 90%, with 9 of 10 students making it through. 
• Accounting (75%), Digital Media and Game Design (70%), and Nursing (67%) all performed solidly in the mid-range — strong pipelines with room for incremental gains.

Together, these six programs account for the majority of our successful transfers and represent advising models worth studying and replicating. ECE (46%) and Criminal Justice (50%) remain areas where targeted intervention is needed for the spring.

If there is one takeaway, it is this: transfer is not an abstract metric. It is a series of decisions made under real pressure. Our charge for spring 2026 is clear—protect momentum where it is strong, intervene where it stalls, and ensure that when the next student refreshes that confirmation page, the answer waiting is yes.

Student Leadership and Wellness Events

As we move through March at Hostos Community College, there’s still time to take advantage of a variety of leadership and wellness opportunities on campus. If you missed the initial invite, consider this your reminder!

• Student Leadership Academy – “Build What Lasts: The Choices You Make Today Shape the Leader You Become” with Fred Banny III on Friday, March 20, 3:30–5 PM in the Student Lounge (C-390).
• EmpowerHer Program HIV Testing FDR – Wednesdays: March 25, April 8 & 22, May 13 & 26, 9 AM–5 PM, C-313.
• EngageBronx HIV Testing FDR – Tuesdays: April 14, May 14, 11 AM–3 PM, FDR C-313 & C-391.
• Stress & Fitness: Trash Day Tuesdays – Tuesdays, February 24–March 31, 10:30–11:30 AM, Dance Studio (C-152). Stress reduction meditation sessions.
• Family Empowerment Program: Anger Management Series – Thursdays, March 12–April 30, 11 AM–1 PM, Hostos Children’s Center, Room A-109.
• Be a Hero: Hostos Blood Drive – Thursday, March 26, 11 AM–5 PM, C-391.
• From Sedentary to Strong – Tuesdays & Thursdays, Feb 24–Apr 2, 12–1:30 PM, Dance Studio (C-152).

Take this chance to strengthen your leadership skills, focus on wellness, and connect with your peers before March ends!

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE (ADM)

Submitted by SVP Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne

Important Notice: Body-worn Cameras

Beginning this month, the Hostos Community College Public Safety Department will be rolling out a body-worn camera program to strengthen safety, transparency, community trust, and accountability. After a comprehensive review, CUNY has concluded that implementing a body-worn camera program is a practical and safe industry standard that will advance the goals of the University and enforce campus safety efforts.

Body-worn cameras are small video recording devices that are typically affixed to an officer’s uniform. Only Campus Peace Officers will wear body-worn cameras while performing their official law enforcement duties. Body-worn cameras will not be issued to other civilian titles such as Campus Security Assistants or contract security guards.

Campus Peace Officers are required to activate body-worn cameras while conducting official law enforcement duties, such as responding to service calls, performing investigations, searching individuals or property, making arrests, and carrying out traffic stops. Routine engagements, such as conversations that an officer may have with participants in a community engagement activity, absent a law enforcement purpose, are not considered official law enforcement duties. 

Campus Peace Officers are not obligated to inform individuals when a body-worn camera is recording. However, in certain circumstances, it may be appropriate for a Peace Officer to notify individuals that their cameras are active. For example, such an announcement may be made if the Peace Officer determines that notification may facilitate de-escalation and promote cooperation.

For more information about CUNY’s implementation of body-worn cameras, please click on the following link: Body-Worn Cameras – The City University of New York.

If you feel that your safety is at issue, please speak to a Public Safety officer on campus or contact the Public Safety Department at 718-518-6888. 

Reminder to Stay Vigilant Against Phishing Scams

We want to remind everyone in our community to remain alert and cautious when reviewing email messages.

Recently, compromised Microsoft 365 accounts have been used in phishing campaigns posing as official notices from City University of New York (CUNY) and individual college financial aid offices. These fraudulent messages are designed to trick recipients into sharing personal information, login credentials, or clicking on malicious links.

If you receive a suspicious message — or if you believe you may have responded to a phishing email — contact the IT Help Desk immediately (718-518-6646).

How to Recognize and Report Phishing Attempts

Phishing emails can appear convincing, but there are warning signs to watch for:

• Examine the sender carefully. Does the message seem unusual? Is the sender’s name or email address unfamiliar or slightly altered?
• Pause before clicking. Take a moment to evaluate whether the message makes sense.
• Be cautious of “external source” warning banners. These often indicate the message originated outside the institution.
• Watch for requests for personal information. Official communications should not request passwords or sensitive information via email.
• Avoid clicking links or opening attachments in unsolicited messages. If you believe the request may be legitimate, manually type the official website address into your browser instead.
• Be extra careful on mobile devices. Smaller screens can make it harder to notice red flags.

Important Reminders:

• DO NOT reply to unexpected or unusual emails from any sender.
• DO be particularly cautious when an “external source” warning banner is present
• DO NOT reply to emails with any personal information or passwords. If you have reason to believe that the request is real, call the institution or company directly.
• DO NOT click a link or open an attachment in an unsolicited email message. If you have reason to believe the request is legitimate, type the company or institution's web address directly into your web browser.
• DO NOT use the same password for your work account, bank, Facebook, etc. In the event you do fall victim to a phishing attempt, perpetrators attempt to use your compromised password to access many online services.
• DO change ALL of your passwords if you suspect any account you have access to may be compromised.
• DO be particularly cautious when reading email on a mobile device. It may be easier to miss the telltale signs of phishing attempts when reading email on a smaller screen.
• DO remember that official communications should not solicit personal information by email.
• DO review the CUNY Phishing Advisories posted at security.cuny.edu under CUNY Issued Security Advisories.
• DO complete information security awareness training in Brightspace.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (CEWD)

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

Con Edison and Hostos CEWD Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology Training (87.5 hours) 

This no-cost program includes Your Role in the Green Environment modules from the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER), a provider of industry-recognized training and certifications for the construction workforce. 

Core - Introduction to Basic Construction Skills (72.5 hours): 

• Basics in safety 
• Using hand and power tools 
• Materials handling 
• Employability skills 

Your Role in the Green Environment (15 hours): 

• How to measure your carbon footprint and reduce it 
• How buildings affect the green environment 
• How green building rating systems work 

Incentives: 

•  NCCER textbooks 
•  PPE for construction work 
•  $50 gift card 
•  Industry-recognized NCCER credentials 

For more information, contact Hurriya Ali at sali@hostos.cuny.edu or 718-319-7986 or complete the inquiry form: https://qrco.de/ConEdHostosCleanTechnology. 

Read and Learn More about the History of Continuing Ed and Workforce Development in CUNY!

“Expanding CUNY’s Mission: The History and Scope of Continuing Education” is an exhibit that has gathered 181 documents to trace the history of CUNY’s Division of Adult and Continuing Education at the Central Office from its creation in 1984 in the Office of Academic Affairs through a 36-year evolution. That office, working closely with campus ACE programs, built a host of successful and lasting programs that continue to serve hundreds of thousands of students and have brought significant change to CUNY and New York City. Take a look here.

View the CEWD Spring 2026 Catalog 

Go here for the catalog.

CEWD Virtual Information Sessions

March  

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.

Liberal Arts A.A. Alumni Career Talk Panel Connects Alumni with Students

The Office of Alumni Relations and the liberal arts unit extend their gratitude to the students, faculty, and staff who attended the Alumni Career Talk Panel on March 10. Students heard directly from liberal arts alumni about how a Hostos liberal arts degree helped them launch a meaningful career or set them up to pursue an advanced degree. Thank you to the alums who came back to share and connect with current students: Sandra-May Flowers, Ebony Lloyd, Stepahanie Olivera de Araujo, and Gabriel Levine-Justicia.

Opportunity of the Week

To keep the Hostos community informed of available funding opportunities, the Division of Institutional Advancement will be using El Semanario to share weekly updates on relevant requests for proposals (RFPs) from foundations and organizations whose giving areas align with the College’s mission. If you believe you have a program that fits the description, contact Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager Kelsey Hillebrand at khillebrand@hostos.cuny.edu. Research grants, indicated in bold*, must pursue funding through the Research Foundation of CUNY (RF CUNY). This is not intended to be an exhaustive list, so please continue to search Pivot and GrantForward for additional opportunities related to your specific domains.

Area: Multidisciplinary Research to Support Education*

Deadline: April 15

Funding: $50,000

More information: Research Grants on Education: Small | The Spencer Foundation

Area: Aging and Health Studies (Research and non-research opportunities)

Deadline: May 1 (Letter of Intent)

Funding: $100,000-$250,000 (depending on project type)

More information: Apply for a Grant - RRF Foundation for Aging. Note that some program areas are only available in Illinois; some are national. 

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!

On Behalf of Athletics, Congrats to Our Basketball Caimans!

Hostos Athletics would like to share a heartfelt shoutout to our basketball teams! The men’s basketball team concluded the year with a remarkable achievement, capturing the CUNY Athletic Conference Championship and earning the distinction of conference champions within CUNY. Their success reflects a season defined by discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. This championship marks a significant milestone for the program and stands as a testament to the dedication of our student-athletes and coaching staff.

The women’s basketball team likewise represented Hostos with distinction, advancing in regional competition and demonstrating resilience and competitive spirit throughout the season. Their performance reflects continued growth and the strengthening foundation of women’s athletics at the College.

Together, both programs exemplify the values of scholarship, sportsmanship, and community that define Hostos. We commend our student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff for their hard work and for bringing pride to our campus.

Please check the Athletic Department for the latest schedules and updates at https://hostosathletics.com/. Stay connected with Hostos Athletics by following our Instagram account, @HostosAthletics, for the latest updates and highlights.

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: 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: “Elinor Glyn and the Invention of Modern Romance”: A Book Discussion with Columbia Professor Hilary A. Hallett

Date | Time: Monday, March 23 | 12:30 - 2 PM

Location: C-466

Description: Join Prof. Christine Choi (English) and Prof. Marcella Bencivenni (History) for a special Women’s History Month event featuring a book presentation by Dr. Hilary Hallett, professor of history at Columbia University. Published by Norton- Liveright in 2022, Inventing the 'It Girl' How Elinor Glyn Created the Modern Romance and Conquered Early Hollywood traces Glyn’s meteoric rise from a depressed British society darling to a renowned celebrity author who founded the modern 'sex novel' and taught early Hollywood how to depict heterosexual passion on screen.

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: Shirley 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: Spring 2026 Peace & Poetry

Date | Time: Wednesday, April 29 | 12 PM

Location: TBD

Description: We are now accepting submissions for the Spring 2026 Peace & Poetry Event until March 31! Join us during April National Poetry Month, to share and read your original poem, or one by a poet that you enjoy, that elevates peace and community-building. This event falls on the anniversary of Hostos Community College’s founding! Your shared submission can also be an opportunity to express and share about your experience at Hostos through poetry! Another inspiration may be nature, our planet or our environment as the 22nd is also Earth Day. Submit your poems here.

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 16, 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 through June 30. After June 30, the price will increase to $50. Register here.

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.