Friday, May 1, 2026 | Vol. 12, No. 12

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS

My Dear Colleagues and Students,

As we begin the month of May, I wish you much success in your studies and a successful semester. I am happy to share my remarks from Earth Day.

Earth Day Event

April 22, 2026

Hostos Research Center

President’s Remarks

Since 1970, April 22 has been designated as Earth Day. How wonderful to note that it is also Hostos Community College’s 58th birthday today.

A result of the 1960s Environmental movement, Earth Day celebrates the glory of the natural world and serves as a potent reminder of our role as good stewards of the planet’s resources. During Earth Week (April 18–22), more than a billion people in almost 200 countries will participate in this year’s festivities and activities.

It is no secret how much damage has been done to the land, sea, and sky by those who should preserve the health and integrity of the planet. This is why we must all, individually and collectively, do whatever we can to save our precious ecosystem and all of its inhabitants, from the tiniest of creatures to the largest. Our future, and that of future generations, depends on it. Robin Wall Kimmerer in “Braiding Sweetgrass” reminds us, “All flourishing is mutual,” a truth that calls us to recognize our deep interdependence with the living world. We are indeed all kin, the children of Mother Earth.



The 2026 Earth Week theme is “Our Power, Our Planet,” and focuses on safe and sustainable sources of energy. I am grateful to our Provost, Dr. Andrea Fabrizio, and the indefatigable Chairman of the Natural Sciences department, Dr. Yoel Rodríguez, Dr. Sofia Oviedo and many colleagues for their work organizing this week’s activities, and to our esteemed colleagues from Bronx Community College, Dr. Neal Phillip and Paramita Sen, who will share their expertise and insights with us here today. I urge you all to take advantage of the teach-ins and activities scheduled for the rest of the week throughout the College.

Mil gracias y bendiciones,

Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.

President

POEM

INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT

Submitted by AVP Babette Audant, Ph.D.



Accreditation Updates: Federal Disruption, DEI Rollbacks, and How We Stay the Course

MSCHE (Middle States Commission on Higher Education) (Middle States Commission on Higher Education), for all its faults, has taken seriously the threat of additional accreditation commissions whose failure could further weaken public support for accreditation commissions and for higher education overall. Accreditation determines which institutions qualify for federal financial aid including Pell grants and loans and without students receiving federal financial aid, most institutions could not survive. MSCHE’s president, Heather Perfitti, has been increasingly outspoken about the role of accreditation, speaking to various publics who might not otherwise know what accreditation is and why it matters - and why MSCHE’s peer review process is so important. 

Accreditation (and the self-study process) conducted by peers matters. It’s an opportunity that we would not undertake, not to the required depths, to review how well we have come through on our commitments, how successfully have we anticipated and responded to external and internal opportunities? How have we held true to our mission? What have we learned - as an institution - and how has that informed our understanding of what we must do next? We undergo self-study first as an internal process informed by our status as a member institution of a major public University, serving specifically situated students. Then, we participate in a conversation with our peers from outside of CUNY, learning from their questions and observations. It is not always a beautiful process. It is often a grueling time-consuming process, but it is an honest one: member organizations take part in good faith and are themselves accredited thanks to the work of other assemblages of peers. 

MSCHE has also proactively reviewed its Standards and proposed edits shared in an open review process. The Commission will vote on the changes in late June; the new Standards, reduced from seven to five, will be in effect as of July 1, 2026. Among the promising changes is a stronger focus on evidence that demonstrates mission alignment. Among the troubling changes is the removal of DEI, which was integrated across the Standards in 2023. The removal of DEI is in direct response to the federal government’s determination that practices and policies that acknowledge, address, support and advance diversity, inclusion and equity are illegal. 

In reality, the removal of DEI from the MSCHE standards is troubling because of the action’s symbolic weight but does not change our work. DEI was integrated across the standards, and the D, E and I were undifferentiated and undefined. How each institution demonstrated its commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion varied widely across institutions, shaped by context, and by mission. Hostos’ mission, as well as CUNY’s, clearly state commitments to increasing access, increasing socio-economic mobility and equity, and serving a diverse student population. Institutions are still held accountable for meeting the needs of all their students, across their differences. IPEDS (aka National Clearinghouse data), NYSDOL, CUNY and other major compilers of institutional data continue to disaggregate by gender, race/ethnicity, age, and other variables that consistently if imperfectly help hold us accountable for achieving our mission. Institutional commitments to justice, equity, access and socio-economic mobility are foundational. Does the removal of “DEI” from the MSCHE standards change the way we report institutional data or document effectiveness? It would be foolish to say nothing changes; the changes require and have already required us to be more aware about how we frame our work and aware of the politics of staying the course. And it gives us more reason to stand our ground, because our ground was won thanks to those who fought for these principles. So, we remain persistent, resilient and stubborn - and wait, because among the constants is that tides turn.

GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Submitted by Director Eric Radezky, Ph.D.

NYC Housing Connect: Affordable Housing Lotteries

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) create affordable housing opportunities for many household income levels and sizes. The buildings are privately owned but HPD and HDC provide monitoring and oversight.

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

Visit NYC Housing Connect to register, sign up for email alerts, access a list of frequently asked questions, and find and apply for affordable housing opportunities. Find out more about Housing Connect and how to submit an affordable housing application on their About page.

OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY

Submitted by Associate Director Stephanie Oliviero





Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course for Both Employees (E-SPARC) and Students (SPARC)

All employees and students are required to complete the Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course (“E-SPARC” for employees and “SPARC” for students).  These are web-based training programs developed by the State University of New York in partnership with the City University of New York to satisfy the New York State requirement that every college must adopt a comprehensive orientation and ongoing education campaign to educate students and employees about sexual misconduct, including domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, and sexual violence. These training programs educate students and employees about various topics relating to sexual misconduct and harassment.

If you have not yet completed your respective training, please do so as soon as possible. You can access your respective training on Brightspace. 

CUNY CAP & GOWN SURVEY

Submitted by 2026 Commencement Committee

Are you graduating in Spring 2026? Take the CUNY Cap & Gown Survey!

The CUNY Cap & Gown Spring Graduation Survey is now open and is an important step in your Graduation Checklist.

This survey gives graduating students the opportunity to share their valuable experiences and other areas important to student success. Your feedback will inform decision-making throughout the university. All responses are voluntary and held in strict confidence.

How to access the CUNY Cap and Gown Survey:

• Log into CUNYfirst
• select STUDENT CENTER
• select TASKS and HOLDs
• select GRADUATION SURVEY
• select “CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE SURVEY”
• On the last page, click “Submit”
• *You’ll know it is complete when it no longer appears on your graduation checklist
• CUNY Cap and Gown Graduation Survey Instructions

Note: Students will have access to the survey once their CUNYfirst degree checkout status is reflected as any of the below:

• In Review
• Pending
• Awarded

NEWS FROM THE DIVISIONS

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS (OAA)

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

LEARN Program | Lincoln Hospital – Spring 2026

This spring marks the first semester that Hostos students have interned at Lincoln Hospital through the LEARN Program (Leadership Education Administrative Rotation and Networking), a paid internship initiative that provides college students with hands-on experience in hospital administration and healthcare settings. As the semester nears its close, we celebrate Maimouna H., who has an interview pending for a permanent role in Community Health, and recognize Michelle E., Zoenidia R., Madison E., and Ilse C. T., as they near completion of their internships in Office Technology at Lincoln Hospital.

Career Readiness at Hostos Community College

Faculty and Employer Feedback Helps Shape Career-Infused Degree Maps

This semester the development of career-infused degree maps was accomplished across several departments including Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Business, and Allied Health, with valuable faculty contributions from Professor Rodriguez-Fernandez, Professor Moise Koffi, Professor Biao Jiang, Professor Nieves Angulo, Professor Linda Ridley, Professor Ed McNally, Professor Petal Leuwaisee, Professor Jarek Stelmark, Professor Diana Macri, Professor Rodney Blair and Professor Kathleen Ronca. This collaborative work helps strengthen the connection between academic pathways and student transfer and career readiness.

Through employer outreach this semester, Hostos gathered feedback that is helping strengthen the Career-Infused Degree Maps initiative. Employers including Con Edison, Damian Family Care Center, NYC Health + Hospitals, Ariva, Boardwalk Labs/Octopilot AI, and New York Power Authority emphasized that students should begin career preparation early and build both professional and technical readiness. In addition to communication, customer service, professionalism, and adaptability, employers highlighted the importance of learning workplace technologies such as Outlook, eClinicalWorks, Salesforce, Excel, PowerPoint, JDE business/accounting software, and emerging AI-related tools. They also pointed to technical skill areas including clinical documentation, client intake, scheduling platforms, report creation, coding, UI/UX design, engineering knowledge, and problem-solving. Across industries, employers stressed that students should demonstrate readiness through projects, portfolios, certifications, internships, externships, hackathons, volunteer experiences, and other hands-on learning opportunities.

Focus 2

Through the Career Services application and funding from the student technology fee, Hostos has acquired FOCUS 2, an online career, major, and education planning platform designed to support students’ academic and career decision-making. The system includes a career planning readiness component aligned to Hostos academic programs and career competency self-assessment aligned with the NACE Career Readiness Competencies. A soft launch will take place in June 2026 and a full launch in August 2026. FOCUS 2 will help students explore majors offered at Hostos; connect majors to career pathways; assess interests, skills, personality, values, and career readiness; and create action plans for their academic and professional goals.

Campus Visit with EAB Navigate 

Sarah Brennan, Hostos Navigate Program Owner

On April 15, 2026 the Office of Academic Affairs hosted EAB-Hostos strategic lead for an afternoon of conversations with Hostos senior leaders, advising and student services leadership as well as with our Faculty Champions. The discussion topics ranged from strategic ways to use Navigate, how we are using and piloting tools within Navigate as well as challenges and opportunities for the coming semesters. Thanks to all Hostos and CUNY leaders, who shared their time, expertise and experiences to create a meaningful day of conversations.  

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Unit Invites You to 14th Student Conference

Please see the program below: 

14th Student Conference in Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

11 AM – 3:30 PM | Hostos Research Center (C-130)

All are welcome!

Latin American and Caribbean Studies Unit, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Student Club, Hostos Dream Team

11 AM - 12:15 PM 

Introduction and Poetry Workshop: BUILDING THE SELF: WRITING TOWARDS MUSE with Yesenia Montilla. 

12:20 - 1:30 PM 

Community Lunch and Immigrant Rights Workshop with Attorney Valcarcel. 

2 - 3:30 PM 

Keynote Lecture: Dr. Yomaira Figueroa-Vásquez, Director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) and a Professor of Africana, Puerto Rican and Latino Studies at Hunter College (CUNY) + Cafecito and Refreshments

STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (SDEM)

Submitted by VP Althea Sterling, Ed.D.

A Message from Vice President Sterling

Campus‑Wide Update: Hostos and the CUNY–Constructive Dialogue Initiative

Dear Members of the Hostos Community,

This update highlights where Hostos Community College currently stands within the City University of New York’s multi‑year Constructive Dialogue Initiative—a systemwide effort in partnership with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI)—and outlines the next steps for expanding meaningful campus engagement.

Background and Systemwide Context

Last semester, President Daisy Cocco DeFilippis addressed the Hostos community regarding CUNY’s launch of the Constructive Dialogue Initiative, which reinforces the University’s commitment to constructive dialogue, civil discourse, and mutual understanding—skills that are essential in academic, professional, and civic spaces. The Constructive Dialogue Initiative at CUNY has gained national recognition for its impact and was recently highlighted in Inside Higher Ed. More than 5,000 students, faculty, and staff across CUNY have completed training focused on navigating conflict, building trust, and leading respectful conversations.

Hostos Participation to Date

Service to students and the surrounding community has long been central to Hostos’ mission. Our institutional values closely align with the goals of the Constructive Dialogue Initiative, positioning the College to engage meaningfully as the work expands across CUNY.

At Hostos, 40 members of the campus community—including students, faculty, staff, and administrators—have successfully completed CDI facilitation dialogue training and certification, strengthening campus-wide capacity for meaningful dialogue and problem solving.

To coordinate and sustain this work, Hostos has established a Constructive Dialogue Steering Committee. The committee is advancing CDI‑aligned efforts while identifying where constructive dialogue principles are already embedded in campus programs and practices.

Current committee efforts are focused on:

• Identifying and highlighting existing programs and practices that reflect CDI principles
• Increasing visibility and shared language around constructive dialogue
• Supporting Deeper integration of constructive dialogue within the campus culture 

What’s Next at Hostos

As Hostos enters the next phase of integration, the CDI Steering Committee will host a campus‑wide Town Hall, May 4 to:

• Share how constructive dialogue is already being practiced at Hostos
• Hear from students, faculty, and staff who have completed CDI training and certification
• Gather input on additional opportunities for campus integration

The Town Hall will support broader campus engagement and help identify future training opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.

Looking ahead, Hostos will continue exploring ways this initiative can complement existing programs and strengthen our shared commitment to inclusive learning environments and respectful engagement. Priority areas include:

• Leadership development, including the Student Leadership Academy
• Co‑curricular experiences
• Student‑facing and campus‑wide processes
• New Faculty Orientation programs

Together, these efforts build campus‑wide capacity for communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and community trust—key foundations for student success and institutional excellence.

We invite the Hostos community to join this conversation and help shape how constructive dialogue continues to grow on our campus.

Campus Town Hall | Monday, May 4 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Savoy Multipurpose Room

Financial Aid

The 2026–2027 FAFSA® Is Live!

Great news, Hostos! The 2026–2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is open and ready for submission. This is the first and most important step in applying for federal, state, and institutional financial aid, including grants, work‑study, and loans.

We strongly encourage all students to submit their FAFSA as early as possible. Early submission helps ensure timely processing and access to the maximum financial aid you may be eligible for, as some funds are awarded on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

Important reminder for New York State students:

Once you complete your FAFSA, you should also complete the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) application, if applicable. TAP provides additional funding and requires a separate application after FAFSA submission.

Special May Invitation!

During the month of May, we invite both students and staff to stop by the Office of Financial Aid to meet our new Financial Aid team members! This is a great opportunity to:

• Get assistance with FAFSA submissions
• Ask general financial aid questions
• Learn more about grants, loans, and scholarships
• Meet the staff who are here to support your success

We look forward to welcoming you and helping you get ready for the 2026–2027 academic year!

Transfer Services

Summer Starts in Transfer on June 1

Summer in the Transfer Office begins June 1st, and we are ready for you.

The Transfer Lab lives in the D Building, Room 101, and all summer long — Monday through Thursday, 10 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon — someone will be there waiting to help. No appointment necessary. No forms to fill out before you arrive. Just come.

If you want to reach us before you stop by, or if summer has you somewhere else and you need guidance from a distance, we are always reachable by email. Director Rocio Rayo is at rrayo@hostos.cuny.edu, and Assistant Director Samantha Maldonado is at smaldonadogarcia@hostos.cuny.edu. Write to us anytime.

For students: the path is still open — but it moves on its own timeline.

If you have been thinking about transferring for Fall 2026 and haven't applied yet, take a breath — and then take action. It is not too late. But transfer unfolds in layers, and each one takes time. Applications take three to four weeks to be reviewed before an admissions decision comes through. Once it does, you will need to accept your offer in CUNYfirst — a small step that is entirely yours to take. After that, it's another two to three weeks before an advisor is assigned and your credits are evaluated. Then comes course selection.

Every week of June and July is a gift. Every week you wait in August is a week you no longer have. The students who move through transfer with intention are almost always the ones who started early.

And a date worth writing down now: the priority deadline for Spring 2027 transfer is September 15th, 2026. Faculty, if you are assembling your syllabus, we would be so grateful to see that date on it. It is also on the academic calendar.

For faculty: we would love to come to you!

If you are teaching this summer, please reach out to Rocio or Samantha, or simply wander over to the D Building and find us in Room 101. We are happy to visit your classroom and speak with your students directly — transfer feels less abstract when there are real people behind it.

We also have a short video about our office that travels well to Brightspace. Ask us for the link and it's yours. And if you are getting your fall syllabus together and would like to include information about Transfer Services, schedule a class visit, or simply know what we're about — we are here, and we are easy to find.

A campus-wide outreach to faculty teaching in the summer is coming in early June, so you may be hearing from us soon.

Fall 2026 — Mark Your Calendars:



• September 15 – Priority Deadline for Transfer Application
• September 22 — Mini Transfer Fair, 11 AM to 1 PM
• October 20 — Main Transfer Fair, 11 AM to 1 PM
• October 20, 21, 22 – Transfer Week Events (more information coming soon!)
• November 10 — Mini Transfer Fair, 11 AM to 1 PM

These are joyful events. Bring your students. Send them our way. Let transfer be something they look forward to.

Transfer Services: D Building, Room 101,  Monday–Thursday, 10 AM – 3 PM 

Rocio Rayo, Director, rrayo@hostos.cuny.edu 

Samantha Maldonado, Assistant Director, smaldonadogarcia@hostos.cuny.edu

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE (ADM)

Submitted by SVP Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne

IT Updates: Strengthening Security and Streamlining Services

Hostos Community College, in collaboration with CUNY CIS, continues to roll out important updates to its IT systems and policies, with a strong focus on data security, operational efficiency, and student support. Below is a summary of some of the latest security developments, presented by AVP of IT/CIO Dilawar Grewal at the April 16 Senate Meeting.



CUNYBuy Requisitions for Software, IT Services, and Subscriptions

All purchases of software, IT services, and subscriptions made through CUNYBuy now require attestation from the CIO, which will be obtained from the requestors. Individuals submitting these requests must provide a formal attestation regarding the safety of any CUNY data to be used in relation to software, IT services provided by third parties, or subscriptions to software or services which involve CUNY data. Further, for all third-party products, the CIO will require a user management plan that assures CUNY that all credentials are secure and the 3rd party is held responsible for credential security. Requests submitted without this documentation will be escalated to CUNY for further review, which could delay processing times.

Stronger Data Security Measures

To better protect university data, the use of portable storage devices such as flash drives and external hard drives is no longer permitted. Faculty and staff are also not permitted to store CUNY data on Google Docs. Approved platforms include enterprise versions of OneDrive and Dropbox. Looking ahead, CUNY CIS plans to implement Data Loss Prevention (DLP) technologies, which will introduce clearer guidelines for classifying, labeling, and securely sharing sensitive information.

Standardized Student Email Addresses

CUNY is standardizing student email formats across all campuses. All students will have a CUNY ID in the format Firstname.Lastname##@login.cuny.edu and are required to enroll in multi-factor authentication (MFA). Student campus emails will be in the format FirstName.LastName##@stu-mail.hostos.cuny.edu. All CUNY communications between students and faculty/staff are expected to be addressed only to CUNY provided email addresses. Personal email accounts should not be used for any official correspondence.

Centralized Endpoint Management

CUNY is implementing centralized management tools for all devices. Apple devices are now being managed through JAMF, with Microsoft Intune rollout planned for Windows systems. These tools will allow CUNY CIS to deploy updates, manage software, and enhance security across all endpoints. Additionally, CUNY is moving toward centralized purchasing of devices, with four-year colleges already receiving pre-configured systems and community colleges expected to follow.

Network Refresh

Hostos is nearing completion of a major network refresh in partnership with CUNY CIS and Cisco. This project aims to standardize infrastructure and improve oversight. A final phase involving core network systems will be completed soon and may require a brief, temporary outage. The campus community will be notified in advance.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (CEWD)

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

CEWD Job Fair a Success!

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, seventy (70) CEWD students and alumni participated in on-site interviews and employment opportunities.  

Special thanks to our employer partners in attendance: 

SKIP of New York, Assist Ambulance, Community Healthcare Network, Workforce1 Healthcare Career Center, QSAC (Quality Services for the Autism Community), Towne Nursing Staff, Vertical Staffings, New York State Office Of Mental Health - Bronx Psychiatric Center, Lincoln Hospital (Health and Hospital Corporation), R.A.I.N. Total Care, and La'Dorch Home Care. 

Thank you, Juan Vazquez, Interim Operations Manager/Industry Specialist, and the CEWD Team that helped make the event a success. 

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

This is a newly added course with funding from Con Edison. This no-cost program includes Your Role in the Green Environment modules from 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 has 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

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.

Thank You for Supporting the 2026 Scholarship Benefit

The Hostos Community College Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to Hostos faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the College for supporting the 2026 Scholarship Benefit. We were pleased to welcome nearly 300 guests to celebrate community leaders and further the College’s mission to provide accessible higher education to all who seek it. This year’s Benefit raised more than $350,000, which will support scholarships and beneficial programs for Hostos students. Your attendance and generosity illustrate your shared commitment to supporting our dedicated students.

To see photos from the event, visit www.hostosbenefit.com in the coming weeks.

If you missed out this year but would still like to make a gift, visit www.GivetoHostos.com.

Graduating? Apply for your Alumni ID!

Spring 2026 graduates are invited to apply for a Hostos Alumni ID! ID cards will be issued once a student’s graduate status is processed and confirmed by the Registrar’s office, which typically takes 2-3 months. Visit the alumni ID card page or contact Alumni Relations Manager Felix Sanchez at fsanchez@hostos.cuny.edu to learn more.

VP of Institutional Advancement Hosts Weekly Office Hours – Recurring Notice

Do you have an idea to improve Hostos? Stop by VP Julie Gafney’s office in D-204 between 3–4 p.m. on Wednesdays to discuss your ideas and learn about the grant-seeking process! Concepts can include academic or student service improvements. Please note: all ideas are welcome, but not all are fundable. Strong concepts will have a clear alignment with broader institutional priorities as outlined in the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.

Opportunity of the Week

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: Arts Education, Civic Engagement

Deadline: Applications are Accepted on a Rolling Basis

Funding: $15,000-35,000

More information: Kornfeld Foundation

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!

Community Voices Come Together at Hostos Spring 2026 Peace & Poetry Event

Hostos Community College proudly presented its Spring 2026 Peace & Poetry event on Wednesday, April 29, uniting students, faculty, guest artists, and community members in a powerful celebration of language, reflection, and collective healing. Held at the Hostos Research Center (HRC), the event showcased poetry as a dynamic force for connection, resilience, and self-expression during National Poetry Month and honored the College’s 58th anniversary.

Enjoy some of the talented poets featured at the event here, and read their inspiring work here.

Student Scholarship Takes Center Stage at Hostos Fourth Annual Student Symposium

Hostos Community College hosted its Fourth Annual Student Symposium on Tuesday, April 28, welcoming students, faculty, staff, and guests to a daylong celebration of student research, creative work, and academic inquiry. Read more here.

Hostos Marks Earth Day by Centering Student-Driven Science

On the morning of April 22, Earth Day, the Research Center at Hostos Community College was filled beyond capacity. Held during the College’s Earth Week and under the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” the gathering also marked the institution’s fifty-eighth anniversary. Read more here.

The Niceties Premieres at the Hostos Repertory Theater

On Wednesday, April 22, the Hostos Repertory Company premiered its new production of The Niceties, a contemporary play by Eleanor Burgess in which a college student and her history professor engage in a polite discussion of the student’s essay on American history which escalates into a heated and provocative debate about race, history, and power in modern-day America. Read more here.

Hostos Student Advocates on Behalf of Domestic Violence Survivors

Our College is home to students of remarkable resilience and brilliance. In an interview with Monica Morales of Monica Makes It Happen, Nicole Branca, CEO of New Destiny Housing and wife of Dr. Ernest Ialongo, Professor and Chair of the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department and the Hostos College-Wide Senate, shares the success story of one of Professor Ialongo’s former students.

The conversation highlights New Destiny Housing’s services and support for survivors, and mentions our students’ domestic violence advocacy and more. The mention begins at 16:20 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: TODAY! Second Annual CUNY BMI Symposium

Date | Time: Friday, May 1 | 9 AM - 3:30 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center

Description: The CUNY Black Male Initiative (CUNY BMI) is hosting its Second Annual Symposium at our College. The event provides a research space where students can share their research projects, connect with faculty throughout CUNY, and, most importantly, feel valued and empowered as future academics and professionals in their fields.

Title: 558 Grand Concourse Design Presentation

Date | Time: Tuesday, May 5 | 10 - 11:30 AM

Location: C-391

Description: Hostos Community College warmly invites the entire college community to an exciting design presentation for the future of the 558 Grand Concourse Post Office building.

Title: 14th Latin American and Caribbean Studies Student Conference

Date | Time: Tuesday, May 5 | 11 AM - 3:30 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center

Description: The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Unit, Latin American and Caribbean Studies Student Club, and the Hostos Dream Team invite you to the 14th LACS Student Conference. Learn more about the field and career opportunities available to you!

Title: HRC Scholars Program Mini Conference

Date | Time: Wednesday, May 6 | 10 AM

Location: Hostos Research Center

Description: Join us on Wednesday, May 6, for a wonderful showcase and celebration of the research that our students have developed over the course of the academic year with the mentorship and support of Hostos faculty mentors and CUNY Graduate Center fellows. The program will include a poster exhibit, oral presentations, lunch, and networking with the participants.

Title: HRC Scholars Program Mini Conference

Date | Time: Wednesday, May 6 | 10 AM - 2 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center

Description: Join us on Wednesday, May 6, for a wonderful showcase and celebration of the research that our students have developed over the course of the academic year with the mentorship and support of Hostos faculty mentors and CUNY Graduate Center fellows. The program will include a poster exhibit, oral presentations, lunch, and networking with the participants.

Title: Drag Show at the Blackbox!

Date | Time: Wednesday, May 6 | 4 - 6 PM

Location: Black Box (C-151)

Description: Janae SaisQuoi returns to Hostos with more glamor, glitz, and lewks! Take a break from studying and join Rainbow Hostos outside of the Black Box theater at 4 PM for snacks and a show that will keep you energized through the end of the semester!

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 prepare them better.

Title: Research Presentation: “Expanding CUNY’s Mission: The History and Scope of Continuing Education”

Date | Time: Monday, May 11 | 10 AM - 12 PM

Location: Hostos Research Center

Description: John Mogulescu and Bonne August will talk about “Expanding CUNY’s Mission: The History and Scope of Continuing Education,” 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 has brought significant change to CUNY and New York City. Take a look here.

Title: 4th Annual Hostos Multi-Faith Symposium and Luncheon

Date | Time: Monday, May 11 | 1 - 2:30 PM

Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room

Description: Hostos Community College invites all members of the Hostos family to attend the fourth annual Multi-Faith Symposium and Luncheon. This annual event is a wonderful way to usher in the spring season as we come together to learn how we can best honor and support diverse forms of faith and spiritual expression. We are pleased to have Dr. Henry Goldschmidt, Director of Programs at the Interfaith Center of NY, facilitating an interactive workshop that will engage us in interfaith dialogue and community-building. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend!

Title: Lavender Graduation Ceremony

Date | Time: Friday, May 15 | 3 - 5 PM

Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room

Description: Celebrate your graduation with your chosen family and the Hostos LGBTQIA+ Council. Lavender Graduation ceremonies are celebrated throughout the country for students who are not always able to be out to their families. Students will receive a rainbow graduation stole to wear at the main ceremony, and a certificate with their chosen name. 

Title: CUNY Start: Spring Alumni Exchange

Date | Time: Tuesday, May 19 | 1:30 PM

Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room

Description: The CUNY Start: Spring Alumni Exchange will bring together current students and alumni to share experiences, build connections, and celebrate their journeys. We will also be working in collaboration with some of our campus partners for student resources. 

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: Tuesday, May 26 at 11 AM & Wednesday, May 27 at 11 AM

Location: Main Theater

Description: Let’s celebrate one of the most cherished milestones of our College! More information here.

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.