Friday, March 21, 2025 | Vol. 10, No. 8 | | MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS | | |
My Dear Colleagues and Students,
It has been a remarkable month of celebrations, with a few more to come. Please join us when you can. I am happy to share my remarks at our opening celebration with the panel of “Women in Philanthropy” at the beginning of March:
WOMEN IN PHILANTHROPY CAREER EXPLORATION AND PANEL
March 4, 2025
Good afternoon, and welcome to all,
From the Ford Foundation to Habitat for Humanity, from the Smithsonian to the American Heart Association, nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in the life of the nation.
Nonprofits help build and support a vast array of communities. They utilize and foster a variety of skills. The work they do makes a difference. The English statesman Winston Churchill once said: “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” This strikes me as a fine description of working in the nonprofit world. It also describes philanthropy.
Philanthropy has been referred to as “one of the cornerstones of a stable society.” It brings people together to solve a problem, address an issue, or meet a need. It’s a way of giving back and paying forward.
From the earliest days of this country, women have been in the forefront of philanthropic endeavors. In modern times, as more and more women went to college and entered the workforce, their ability to promote a myriad of causes increased greatly. Realizing the intellectual, social and economic benefits of education, they consistently chose to help others achieve those benefits. In the words of Saleh Aloufi and Candler Weinberg of the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, “Women have shaped careers as philanthropists and educators, used education to foster social change, and played a crucial role in establishing and maintaining a wide variety of institutions where education takes place.”
Aloufi and Weinberg cite Ms. MacKenzie Scott as one of the exemplars of modern philanthropy. They describe her approach this way:
Rather than imposing her own ideas or agenda, Scott has let the nonprofits use the funds as they see fit, recognizing their expertise in the fields in which they work. Scott’s contributions have brought much-needed attention to these organizations...inspiring others to support them as well.
As President of Hostos, I can speak directly about the enormous impact of Ms. Scott’s philanthropy. In 2021 Hostos received $15,000,000 from Ms. Scott — the largest gift in the College’s history. Her most generous support provides us with the resources to augment existing programs and services and to create new plans and initiatives in our pursuit of student success. Ms. Scott’s most generous gift will have a positive effect on Hostos for decades to come.
Ms. Scott reflected on the nature of giving in all its forms, and this is the conclusion she drew:
...Something greater rises up every time we give: the easy breathing of a friend we sit with when we had other plans, the relief on our child’s face when we share the story of our own mistake, laughter at the well-timed joke we tell to someone who is crying, the excitement of the kids in the school we send books to, the safety of families who sleep in the shelters we fund. These immediate results are only the beginning. Their value keeps multiplying and spreading in ways we may never know.
Today you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the whys and wherefores of nonprofits and the art of philanthropy. I know you’ll appreciate what our distinguished guests have to say, and I wish you all an informative and inspiring afternoon.
Mil gracias y bendiciones,
Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
President
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“‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers”
By Emily Dickinson
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
Source: The Poems of Emily Dickinson, edited by R. W. Franklin (Harvard University Press, 1999).
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| MS. MACKENZIE SCOTT'S GIFT: PRESIDENT'S INITIATIVES | | |
Submitted by Research Programs Director Sofía Oviedo, Ph.D.
Events and Opportunities
Multi-Faith Symposium
The Third Annual Multi-Faith Symposium and Luncheon will be held on April 2, from 1 – 3 p.m. in the Savoy Multi-Purpose Room. This event seeks to bring the Hostos community together to share and learn how we can engage in genuine dialogue to support and better understand our different forms of faith/spiritual expression in our community. Faith leaders from the community will be joining us to discuss with us how we can all come together to build a stronger community that supports and honors diverse forms of faith/spiritual expression and that works together to advance social justice. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to join in this important dialogue and opportunity for learning and growing together.
Panel at the HRC
On April 3, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., the Hostos Research Center is hosting the panel research presentation, “Exploring STEM Students’ Experiences Through an Intersectional Lens,” that will bring together esteemed scholars in the field including Dr. Lissette Delgado-Cruzata, CUNY John Jay College (NY); Dr. Lourdes E. Echegoyen, The University of Texas at El Paso (TX): and Dr. Yudi Vargas Lewis, Weber State University (UT). The panel is presented as part of the Hispanic Serving Institutions-HUBS, “Intersectionality as Inquiry and Praxis: Race, Class, Gender and Ethnicity for Student Success in STEM” (HSI–HUBS), a five-year long National Science Foundation (NSF) grant-funded partnership between The City College of New York, Lehman College, Hostos Community College, The University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, and Central New Mexico Community College. This collaborative project is examining Latinx students’ performance in STEM and non-STEM majors, using an intersectionality approach, to create a more comprehensive understanding of Latino/a/x students’ experience in higher education. The event will be held in person at the HRC and online via Zoom. Click here to register for either option.
Submit Your Nominations for President’s Recognition Barbeque
There is still time for faculty and staff to submit student nominations for the President’s Recognition Barbeque in Honor of Student Resiliency that will honor up to 15 students that have demonstrated persistence and resiliency in achieving their academic goals while overcoming significant challenges.
Nominations for consideration for the President’s Recognition Barbeque in Honor of Student Resiliency must be received by March 28, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. To nominate a student please complete the nomination form here.
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| INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT (OIERA) | | |
Submitted by AVP of Institutional Effectiveness Babette Audant, Ph.D.
Institutional Space: Sanctuary Space, Part II
Universities and colleges are under systematic attack by the federal administration. There are legal safeguards in place that will either halt or delay and defang many of these efforts. And yet, many (most) of us (CUNY, Hostos, individual students, staff and faculty and “us” as a collective) are in a strategically defensive mode while staying true to our mission despite and because of the chaos and uncertainty around us.
Last week, I suggested that evaluating our institutional effectiveness include interrogating the spaces that comprise Hostos’ campus and situation in the South Bronx: how spaces are designed and allocated; how we move through and inhabit space throughout the college; and how our experiences of and in these spaces shapes our relationships to one another and our sense of belonging. The campus provides space for inquiry, research and knowledge production, fulfilling our academic roles. The campus, like many campuses across the country, also provides sanctuary in multiple ways that make learning possible for students by acknowledging their human-ness, their embodied selves. This role is prioritized at Hostos, not treated as something “extra”, but rather central to how we support students’ success.
“Sanctuary" is often used to denote a religious shrine or other sacred space from which a person cannot be removed without sacrilege. Whether religious or not (and in this case, not), sanctuary is a place of asylum, of protection. For many Hostos students, the campus is such a place. With little space outside to provide respite from the bustle of the Concourse, there are spaces inside (the A-building Atrium, for example) that provide that buffer. The Library, a space governed by norms we learn as children, is a hushed, welcoming place for students desperate to escape the never-ending cacophony that signifies city life, especially when home offers no privacy or quiet. Resources including the food pantry, the childcare center and counseling communicate that this is a space where students’ material needs and well-being are seen and provided for. Hostos is a haven where one’s identity can be safely expressed, expanded, and where social connections develop into a sustaining web.
We do a lot at Hostos to create sanctuary spaces. Returning again to the responses to a small survey I administered in fall 2024 — there were numerous acknowledgements of what we have in place, and reflection on what would communicate and fulfill this function we serve more profoundly. Many comments included reference to food and its power to convene, to create community — some in anticipation of a fully functioning cafeteria. One shared a more radical approach to food service on a college campus that included access to warm meals in addition to our food pantry, sponsored by a bold, visionary donor. In response to the dearth of places where faculty and staff can gather informally, let alone with students, one respondent suggested a coffee shop while another suggested a pop-up cafe as a way of claiming space, if only for a few hours. A few respondents wondered how to counter the surrounding concrete with more greenery (sidewalk trees, a revived garden) and introduce more beauty to our span of the Grand Concourse.
What many respondents mentioned was the importance and even urgency of hearing from students about what they see, experience and also lack when they walk through our halls. What does our campus communicate to students, how is it safe (or not), where does it signal a sense of belonging, or of alienation? How and where does the College function as a sanctuary, and how can we strengthen that sense of asylum? These questions and more can help us begin to integrate consideration of space as a more intentional component of institutional effectiveness, and support iterative development of an emerging practice.
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Highlighting CUNY Policies You Should Know
Submitted by Executive Counsel and Labor Designee Eugene Sohn, Esq.
CUNY Conflict of Interest Policy
It is the policy of the University that all of its activities shall be conducted in accordance with the highest standards of integrity and ethics and in a manner that will not reflect or appear to reflect adversely on the credibility, objectivity, or fairness of the University, its leadership, faculty or staff. Read more here.
| | OFFICE OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS | | |
Submitted by Dean Ana I. García Reyes
Thanks to SOMOS, Inc. and All Partners
Thank you for the warm and generous welcome extended to the Hostos family at this year’s SOMOS, Inc. New York Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force Legislative Conference, under the theme “Justice in Action.” It was a privilege to participate in a weekend filled with important discussions on equity, education, and community-driven solutions. What brought us the greatest joy, however, was seeing our Hostos students so warmly received, their voices uplifted, and their leadership celebrated. From their participation in workshops and roundtables to their presence at the 27th CUNY/SUNY Model Senate Project reception, our students represented the very best of our community with pride, passion, and purpose. We are deeply grateful to Assemblywoman Karinés Reyes, CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, and SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. for creating spaces where student voices are at the center of the conversation. Sharing these moments with colleagues, elected officials, and friends from across the state was a powerful reminder of why we do this work: to support, empower, and elevate the next generation of leaders. See more here.
Thanks to Our Supporters
Thank you to all our supporters for hosting the Hostos Office of Community Relations and for the warm welcome extended at several events in the first half of March, including the State of the City Address led by Council Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, a staunch Hostos and CUNY supporter. Congratulations to Speaker Adams, who held an impressive convening that brought together government officials, executives, business leaders, educators, community organizations, and New Yorkers from all walks of life. Additionally, we are grateful for the opportunity to participate in a series of cultural heritage community celebrations throughout February and March, honoring Black History, Dominican Heritage, and Women’s History Month in the Bronx, Manhattan and NYS. Thank you to all who welcomed us and invited Hostos to be part of these important gatherings that celebrate and uplift our diverse communities.
Applications Open: Study Abroad Program in the Dominican Republic
Applications are open for our Summer 2025 Professional Development and Study Abroad Program in the Dominican Republic. Interested individuals should contact Mr. Gerson Peña at gpena@hostos.cuny.edu for details.
| | OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY | | |
Submitted by Chief Diversity Officer, Title IX Coordinator, and 504/ADA Coordinator Philip Oliveri, Esq.
International Transgender Day of Visibility
Dear Hostos Community,
On March 31, we recognize International Transgender Day of Visibility, an opportunity to celebrate and affirm our community's diverse experiences and identities. At Hostos, we strive to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of gender identity or expression. Transgender Day of Visibility is not only about recognition; it involves empowerment and advocacy, amplifying the voices of transgender and non-binary individuals, standing in solidarity with them, and advocating for their rights and equal treatment.
To honor this day, the Hostos LGBTQIA+ Consortium has scheduled a tabling event in the Atrium on Monday, March 31, from 3:30 - 5 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn more about the experiences of transgender and nonbinary people, explore available resources, and show your support for an affirming campus community. Visibility matters, and together, we can foster a space where identities are seen, valued, and respected. As we commemorate this day, let us continue to educate ourselves, challenge harmful stereotypes, and actively support transgender and non-binary members of our community. Together, we can create a Hostos campus where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued.
Best,
Philip
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Submitted by Director Ivano Leoncavallo
Logo Consistency
Esteemed Colleagues,
The pride we all take in Hostos Community College is palpable, and the noble work that is done here daily by the faculty, staff, and students to educate and uplift underserved communities in the South Bronx has earned the College a reputation as a mission-driven institution dedicated to justice and equity. Our values and our work are a part of the Hostos brand, as is the legacy of our namesake, Eugenio María de Hostos. And another key part of the Hostos brand is our visual identity, with our logo figuring prominently in that category. It is like the banner that represents our mission, our values and our work. And, as such, it is to be protected and cherished.
Naturally, in the course of doing our daily work, we apply the Hostos logo to a multitude of things, from webpages, flyers, posters, lecterns, email signatures, documents, merchandise, etc. And in the application of so many logos on numerous projects with looming deadlines, it is tempting to simply copy/paste a logo from an existing asset and reuse it, rather than sourcing an original logo file from a dedicated source, such as the Hostos Logos and Marks page on the website.
However, the logos being copy/pasted have often been compressed through email or other applications, and the image quality is degraded and the brand colors altered. Over time, this results in the unchecked propagation of logos that are not in the correct brand colors. Please see the illustration here, showing the correct logo and color palette, alongside off-brand logos pulled from the website and a shared internal document.
There is a noticeable softening of the image, and a marked difference in the colors of the blue Hostos logotype and the colors of the sun logomark. This is the visual equivalent of spelling our name as “Hastes” instead of “Hostos”, or of displaying an American flag with orange stripes.
These off-brand logos have proliferated unchecked over time and are now everywhere, in both printed and digital forms. In fact, they have become so pervasive that there appears to be a general misconception that they are interchangeable. However, per the published Hostos Brand Guidelines, they are logo violations. So, in an effort to maintain brand consistency and integrity, we need to apply the same rigor to our brand management that we do to the other aspects of our daily work. That will require that we collectively begin weeding out all the incorrect logos wherever they might appear and replace them with logos freshly sourced from the website or a local archive of logos downloaded from the site to your computers. We also need to refrain from recycling logos as we generate new documents, digital assets, or printed materials for events and marketing. It will likely take a while, but if we approach it with our Hostos “manos a la obra” spirit, we will eventually have a consistent brand to represent the College.
My hope in raising awareness about this issue is to inspire the College community to be more vigilant about the use of the correct logo and help preserve the integrity of our visual identity. This will better reflect the seriousness with which we take our work as an institution and the self-respect and pride we share in the Hostos brand.
I thank you all for your attention to this matter and urge you to reach out with any questions or concerns at ileoncavallo@hostos.cuny.edu.
| | OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS (OAA) | | |
Submitted by Provost and VP Shiang-Kwei Wang, Ph.D.
Congratulations to Lecturers Clarence Robertson and Srecko Mavrek for receiving the 2024 CUNY Teaching Award
A profound congratulations to English Department Lecturer Clarence Robertson and Education Department Adjunct Lecturer Srecko Mavrek who were both honored on March 13 by the CUNY Office of Academic Affairs with the 2024 CUNY Teaching Awards.
They were joined by CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez; Anne Lopes, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic & Faculty Affairs; Shiang-Kwei Wang, Hostos Vice President and Provost; and Andrea Fabrizio, Dean of Academic Affairs. Our two outstanding faculty received these 2024 CUNY Teaching awards that recognized their demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence and student success and their significant contributions to enriching the educational experience for students and advancing the University’s mission.
Lecturers Robertson and Mavrek were nominated by Provost Wang after being recognized by President Cocco De Filippis last spring with the 2024 Hostos Excellence in Teaching Award. A hearty congratulations to both lecturers!
The 2025 Hostos Teaching Excellence Awards selection will be announced soon. The recipients will be recognized at the College by Dr. Cocco De Filippis and Provost Wang at a ceremony hosted by the Office of Academic Affairs on May 12.
Professors Amnie and Trachman Present at BCC’s Twelfth Annual Community College Excellence Conference
Hostos Professors Asrat Amnie, Coordinator of the Community Health Unit, and Julie Trachman, Coordinator of the Biology Unit, presented their innovative work to transform the classroom by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into coursework and classroom culture.
When CUNY Bronx Community College (BCC) issued a call for proposals, these forward-thinking faculty members boldly stepped up, confident in the transformative impact of their work. Their proposals were accepted, and on March 13, joined AI early adopters from across CUNY to showcase their visionary projects at the Twelfth Annual Conference on Community College Excellence.
This dynamic two-day conference, organized by BCC’s Center for Teaching, Learning & Technology, explored how educators are revolutionizing teaching through AI, equipping students with the skills and competencies needed for future careers. The event was themed AI-Integrated Curriculum Design: Enhancing Career Readiness and Transforming Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age.” Thank you, Professors Amnie and Trachman, for your innovative thinking!
| | STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (SDEM) | | |
Submitted by IVP Althea Sterling, Ed.D.
Athletics
Track & Field Tryouts – Started March 17th!
Are you ready to show off your athletic skills? Track & Field Tryouts began on March 17th. If you’re interested in being a part of the team, please reach out to Brent Wilson, Director of Athletics, at bwilson@hostos.cuny.edu to sign up!
Intramural Sports – Starting April 1st!
Get ready for some friendly competition this spring! Our Intramural Sports programs are kicking off on April 1 with two exciting options: Co-ed Basketball and Co-ed Volleyball.
To sign up, contact Marquee Poole, Athletics Program Coordinator, at mpoole@hostos.cuny.edu.
Stay active and involved with Hostos Athletics! Sign up today!
CUNY EDGE
Collaborative Workshop: Writing a Winning Personal Statement
On March 12, CUNY EDGE, in collaboration with the Scholarships Office, held a workshop to help students craft a winning personal statement, a crucial skill for scholarships, job applications, and college admissions.
During the session, students learned how to effectively structure their personal statement, highlight their strengths and experiences, tailor their writing to different opportunities, avoid common mistakes and make their application stand out. Indeed, this workshop gave students the opportunity to gain valuable insights and enhance their writing skills.
We are excited to welcome our CUNY EDGE members on April 23 for our upcoming workshop on Time Management and Study Skills. Stay tuned for more details!
Student Activities
Graduation Picture Ready: Don't forget to schedule your graduation photo session!
The next sessions will take place next week (March 25, 26, 27 and 28) followed by additional sessions in April and May. Students can schedule an appointment by visiting the photographer’s website. selecting “Schedule Appt”, entering school code 08611 and then choosing the date and time that is most convenient. Students can sign up to receive additional graduation updates (about ordering graduation rings, requesting letters for employers, requesting letters to invite relatives from other countries, etc.) by visiting this website and filling out the form.
For additional information about Commencement, including instructions for how to apply for graduation, visit the Commencement website at www.hostos.cuny.edu/commencement.
Transfer Services
Looking to transfer to a four-year college? Have questions?
To schedule a one-on-one appointment for personalized support, fill out our intake form here.
Don’t miss the chance to explore your transfer options.
Counseling Center
Don’t miss out on the great events we have created for you!
Demystifying the World of Trafficking: A Game of Taboo
Date: Thursday, April 3 | 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Where: FDR
Join us for an interactive game of Taboo, presented in collaboration with the “Enough is Enough” program and the Breaking the Silence Club. Learn about human trafficking, its warning signs, and how you can support safety in your community. The session will be facilitated by Leah Stone, LMSW, Brittany Chambers from the “Enough is Enough” program, and Tiffany Pringle, LMSW, from the Bronx DA's office. Gift cards will be awarded to the winning team, and food will be provided! Don't miss out on this important and engaging event!
Health and Wellness
Wellness Wednesdays Meditation
Date | Time: Every Wednesday until April 30 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: C-152 [Dance Studio]
Take a break and join us for Wellness Meditation on Wednesdays! Meditation is a great way to reduce stress, boost focus and memory, improve your mood, and lower blood pressure — all in just a few minutes! FREE to all students! No registration needed. All equipment is provided. Just bring yourself and a Hostos ID. Don’t forget to sign in when you arrive!
One Stop Fresh Food Produce Distribution
In collaboration with CUNY/NYC Council and B&Y Catering, the Hostos One Stop Program proudly offers students access to fresh, nutritious food. To support our students’ well-being, we will distribute 70 fresh produce boxes every other Wednesday at noon in the Savoy Building:
- - March 26
- - April 2, 9, 30
- - May 7
Students may participate every other week during the eight-week distribution period from March 12 - May 7.
For questions or more information, please contact Ms. Madeline Cruz at mcruz@hostos.cuny.edu or Ms. Rossini Pérez at rperez@hostos.cuny.edu.
Family Empowerment Program: Chat and Chew Series
Money, Money, Money - Financial Wellness
Date: Thursday, April 3rd
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Description: What you need to know about financial aid, available scholarships, writing effective personal statements. How to manage your finances.
Sugar Impact
Date: Thursday, May 1st
Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Description: Everything you need to know about sugar and its impact on you and your family’s health.
Register here for these workshops!
For more information contact Christeen Francis, at 718-518-4474 or email chfrancis@hostos.cuny.edu.
POEMS TO INSPIRE THE COMMUNITY
“Fire”
By Nikita Gill
Remember what you must do
When they undervalue you,
When they think
Your softness is your weakness,
When they treat your kindness
Like it is their advantage.
You awaken
Every dragon, every wolf,
Every monster
That sleeps inside you
and you remind them
what hell looks like
when it wears the skin
of a gentle human.
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| ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE (ADM) | | |
Submitted by SVP Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne
Asbestos Abatement on 3rd Floor of Building B
Asbestos abatement of B-building’s 3rd floor started later than originally expected but the work has begun. Abatement began Wednesday, February 26, at 10 p.m. The shifts are from 10 p.m. - 7 a.m. Marya Shuksta, Environmental Health & Safety Director, is in contact with the contractor daily. Each day, she sends out the air sampling results from the previous night’s abatement shift. So far, every set of results has shown the airborne fiber concentrations to be at acceptable levels.
The asbestos abatement is supposed to last for three months but it is possible that it will extend through June or July. If you have any questions for Marya Shuksta, you may email her at mshuksta@hostos.cuny.edu.
Floor Renovation of A Building Old Wing
With the completion of the Air Handling Unit project in the old wing of building A, Campus Operations has initiated another project in that space. The floors of the old wing have been in dire need of a floor replacement. It is a project that has high visibility and impact. Campus Operations performed Phase One in late December, during the winter holiday. Phase one involved the renovation of the corridor floors. All work performed by the vendor was completed in the evenings so there would be no impact or disruption to the occupants. Phase Two involves replacing the floors in the classrooms, labs, and offices of the old wing. As with the first phase, the work will be scheduled for the evenings so there is virtually no disturbance to the occupants of those rooms. The second phase has not yet been scheduled but is anticipated to begin in the latter half of spring semester.
| | CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (CEWD) | | |
Submitted by Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham, Ph.D., LCSW
CEWD has Raised $1,414,613 to Cover the Cost of Tuition for 714 Students Since FY 2023
In response to the impact of the global pandemic on the communities we serve, CEWD increased its efforts to provide students with scholarships and no-cost programming. Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, 714 students have enrolled in CEWD’s no-cost programming. Over the past three fiscal years, CEWD has raised $1,414,613 so that our students can enroll in an occupational training or basic education program at no cost to them. The vast majority of students (628 or 88%) enrolled in one of our medical and health training programs such as Certified Billing and Coding Specialist, Community Health Worker, and Certified Nursing Assistant.
In addition, CEWD offers English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and General Equivalency Diploma (GED) courses at no-cost to students. With funding from CUNY Central, the Adult Learning Center (ALC) offers ESOL and GED classes and the CUNY Fatherhood Academy (CFA) provides fathers, ages 18-30, with GED preparation classes. To date, 738 CEWD students have enrolled in ALC’s no-cost ESOL courses and 403 have enrolled in ALC’s no-cost GED courses since FY 2023. In addition, since FY 2023, 84 CEWD students have enrolled to date in CFA’s no-cost GED courses.
CEWD remains committed to identifying resources that will allow us to continue providing our students with no-cost programming, so they can achieve their educational and career goals.
CEWD Virtual Information Sessions
To learn more about CEWD’s program offerings, please attend one of our upcoming Virtual Information Sessions.
- Wednesday, April 2, 6 PM
- Saturday, April 12, 11 AM
- Wednesday, April 16, 6 PM
- Wednesday, May 7, 6 PM
- Saturday, May 10, 11 AM
- Wednesday, May 14, 6 PM
- Wednesday, June 4, 6 PM
To register for a session, go here.
| | INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT (DIA) | | |
Submitted by VP Colette Atkins
2025 Annual Scholarship Benefit Update, $100,000 Premium Sponsorship from Stavros Niarchos Foundation
The Division of Institutional Advancement is pleased to share that the webpage is now live for the 2025 Annual Scholarship Benefit! Visit www.hostosbenefit.com to purchase tickets and see this year’s honorees: Benny Lorenzo, Managing Partner at Aspira Capital Management; Cira Ángeles, Co-founder, President, and CEO of L.A. Riverside Brokerage; and Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón, Partner at Winston and Strawn, LLP. We hope you will join us for this celebration of student success and community impact.
We are also pleased to announce that Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) has once again supported the College as a Premium Event Sponsor. We are grateful to SNF for its continued commitment to the success of Hostos students. We would also like to acknowledge our other committed sponsors: 1199 SEIU, Bronx Terminal Market, BronxCare, ConEdison, UBS/Friends of the Chairman, Winston & Strawn LLP, L+M Development Partners, and the Oyate Group.
Two New Foundation Board Members
In February, the Hostos Community College Foundation Board appointed two new members: Mohammad Baig, Vice President and Regional General Manager, Greater Northeast at Trane; and Benny Lorenzo, Managing Partner at Aspira Capital Management. The Board is pleased to welcome these two local leaders, who have demonstrated their support for Hostos students through scholarship support, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities.
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Celebrating the Accomplishments of the Hostos Community
Make sure to check our website and follow us on social media for all updates: Instagram (@hostoscollege), Facebook (HostosCC), and LinkedIn (CUNY Hostos Community College).
Hostos Lieutenant Anastasia Koutsidis Represents the College in CUNY Women’s Conference Week
Congratulations to Lieutenant Anastasia Koutsidis, who recently participated in the CUNY Women’s Conference Week. Lt. Koutsidis participated in the panel, “Strength in Service: Women Leaders on Empowerment and Leadership.” She has served for 27 years with the CUNY Department of Public Safety and is a graduate of York College with a Bachelors in Community Health Education. Lt. Koutsidis started her career at York College in 1998 and left in 2011 to teach full time at the Public Safety Academy. In 2012 Anastasia was asked to go to Guttman Community College where she spent the next 9 years as head of their Public Safety Department. Currently Anastasia is our Operations Lieutenant, where she assists in the daily operations of the department. We’re proud of you! Thanks for representing us at this event, which strengthens, supports, and elevates CUNY women through insight and inspiration!
SGA President Dainma Martínez Testifies Before NYC Council in Defense of CUNY Community Colleges
On Thursday, March 13, Dainma Martínez, President of the Student Government Association (SGA) at Hostos Community College, delivered a poignant testimony before the New York City Council Committee on Higher Education, as part of the Council’s Budget and Oversight Hearing on the Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Martínez called on city leaders to protect critical funding for CUNY community colleges and to reject proposed budget cuts that threaten the future of students across the city. Listen to her full testimony here.
Hostos Students Participate in 2025 NYS Model Senate Project
On Saturday, March 9, a dynamic delegation from Hostos Community College proudly represented the school at the 2025 SOMOS Inc. New York Conference in Albany. The City University of New York (CUNY), in partnership with the New York State Assembly and Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, hosted its annual Model NYS Senate Project as part of the conference’s events. Students nominated by the presidents of each CUNY campus engaged in a robust mock debate on the Senate floor, bringing their lived experiences and leadership skills to the heart of state government. See more here.
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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.
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Title: WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH | Reading Black and Latina Feminisms to Read Ourselves
Date | Time: Wednesday, March 26 | 4 - 5:15 PM
Location: Hostos Research Center
Description: Join Ileana Jiménez for this timely conversation. Dr. Jiménez completed her Ph.D. in English Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently a PRODiG Fellow in the English Department at Stony Brook University, where she is also an affiliate faculty with Latin American & Caribbean Studies and an associate faculty with the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department. Her research focuses on Black and Latina feminisms, feminist and queer pedagogies, and digital feminist activism in the high school English classroom. Students, faculty, and staff are all warmly invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.
Title: Women's Empowerment Brunch: What is Your Legacy?
Date | Time: Thursday, March 27 | 12 - 2 PM
Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room
Description: We are surrounded by outstanding women who are leaders in business, government, education, healthcare and more. This event will ask an esteemed panel of women to consider their leadership legacy — what is the world they want to create for the next generation, and how are they uplifting other women to realize that vision? All are welcome for this brunch and panel discussion, moderated by Development Officer Idelsa Mendez. Professors are encouraged to promote this event to students to identify mentorship opportunities. This event is sponsored by Ms. MacKenzie Scott's Gift: President's Initiatives.
Title: Transgender Day of Visibility
Date | Time: Monday, March 31 | 3:30 - 5 PM
Location: A-Atrium
Description: Celebrate Trans Day of Visibility with pizza, music, and solidarity! Wear pink or light blue to show your pride or allyship and show off your lewks with a step and shoot!
Title: Spring 2025 Kindergarten Fair
Date | Time: Wednesday, April 2 | 9 - 11 AM
Location: Children’s Center
Description: Come and meet representatives from various NYC public and charter schools. Please note that if your child was born in 2020 and lives in New York City, they are eligible to attend kindergarten in Fall 2025! See you then!
Title: From Hostos to the Bench: Honoring Judge Sarjo Barrow’s Journey
Date | Time: Thursday, April 3 | 11 AM - 1 PM
Location: Hostos Art Gallery
Description: Originally from Gambia, Immigration Judge Sarjo Barrow began his higher education in the U.S. at Hostos Community College. He was appointed in 2024 as an immigration judge by the United States Department of Justice. The Honorable Sarjo Barrow will discuss his journey to this distinguished position. This event is sponsored by Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiative.
Title: Spring Job Fair
Date | Time: Thursday, April 3 | 1 - 4 PM
Location: Hostos Gym
Description: Meet employees who can guide you to exciting career paths. You must register by March 25 here.
Title: Peace & Poetry: An Anthology
Date | Time: Tuesday, April 22 | 10 AM
Location: Hostos Research Center
Description: Join us for the presentation of “Peace & Poetry: An Anthology,” which features selected original poems recited during the Fall 2023 and 2024 Peace & Poetry events. Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis, President, will share remarks about this project along with the Editorial Team. This book is possible thanks to the generous support of Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives.
Title: Book Presentation by Hostos Professor Emeritus Orlando Hernández
Date | Time: Tuesday, April 22 | 3:30 PM
Location: Hostos Research Center
Description: President Cocco De Filippis invites you to this book presentation to commemorate the teachings of our namesake Don Eugenio María de Hostos on the day of our College’s founding. Books will be raffled and a Q&A will follow after Professor Hernández’s lecture.
Title: Black @ Hostos: Beyond Borders: Future of Immigration in America
Date | Time: Wednesday, April 23 | 2 - 3 PM
Location: C-391
Description: This event will examine the current climate surrounding immigration in America and consider the future implications of the current administration. Guest speakers will be announced soon.
Title: College-Wide Senate Meeting – April 2025
Date | Time: Thursday, April 24 | 3:30 PM
Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room
Title: “Educating for the Future: Career Competencies for Today's World, the Role of AI in A Changing Workforce, and COIL”
Date | Time: Friday, April 25 | 10 AM - 1 PM
Location: Hostos Research Center
Description: You are invited to a Friday symposium that will focus on preparing our students for a workforce impacted by AI and how, in this environment, COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) can give our students the skills to succeed. To register, please go here. Light refreshments and lunch will be served.
Title: 2nd Hostos Community College First-Time Homebuyers Conference
Date | Time: Saturday, April 26 | 10 AM - 4 PM
Location: Hostos Cafe
Description: The State of New York Mortgage Agency is coming back to Hostos for another First-time Homebuyers Conference! Come for an informative day packed with resources to help you determine if home-buying is right for you. This event is open to Hostos faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the community.
Title: 3rd Annual Student Symposium
Date | Time: Monday, April 28 | 9 AM - 5 PM
Location: Various
Description: The Office of Academic Affairs invites you to the third iteration of our student symposium. Join us to learn about our students’ incredible work across disciplines.
Title: 2025 Annual Scholarship Benefit Gala
Date | Time: Thursday, May 1 | 6 PM
Location: Glen Island Harbour Club
Description: Join the Hostos Community College Foundation for this year's Annual Scholarship Benefit Gala at Glen Island Harbor Club on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Learn more about it here.
Title: College-Wide Senate Meeting – May 2025
Date | Time: Thursday, May 15 | 3:30 PM
Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room
Title: 2025 Honors Convocation
Date | Time: Wednesday, May 21 | 6 - 9 PM
Location: Main Theater
Description: Join President Cocco De Filippis and the Office of Academic Affairs as our 2025 graduates receive their well-deserved academic honors and scholarships.
Title: 2025 Commencement Ceremonies
Date | Time: FIRST CEREMONY on Tuesday, May 27 at 2 PM |
SECOND CEREMONY on Wednesday, May 28 at 11 AM
Location: Main Theater
Description: Let’s celebrate this cherished moment in community with our graduates. More details about acquiring cap and gown, and tickets 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.
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