Friday, September 12, 2025 | Vol. 11, No. 3 | | MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS | | |
My Dear Colleagues and Students,
I am delighted to share my remarks from our first Stated Meeting of the College, held this week on September 3 at the Savoy Multipurpose Room.
OPENING REMARKS
Stated Meeting of the College
The Beginning of a New Semester
Tuesday, September 9
Dear Members of the Hostos Family,
Thank you Michelle-Lee St. Marthe for this beautiful celebration. It is good to be with you all - continuing students, faculty, staff and management team, sharing our All College Beginning of the Semester gathering. Thank you, Diana Kreymer, our moderator, and the wonderful team of speakers, and a special thank you to the Office of the President staff for the beauty of this afternoon. This presentation is intended to feature a rich array of diverse voices, underscoring the generous team efforts taking place in our College. It is also in keeping with the by-now-established practice in the Hostos Weekly, designed to share information often and widely, and for the college community to hear perspectives and information from multiple voices.
I affirm, once again, our commitment to being an inclusive community, where all are welcomed and all are cared for regardless of race, ethnicity, nation of origin, and where differences of opinions are heard respectfully, understanding that it is that willingness to listen to one another that makes us a hopeful and loving community.
It takes infinite love to engage with generosity and hope in the labor of teaching us all about the progress being made at Hostos, documenting this work, questioning in thoughtful ways areas that need improvement, with the expressed purpose to shed light and to continue to make progress in this journey of love that is teaching and learning at Hostos.
I also point to the need to remain vigilant and to refer any student experiencing the need for support to VP Sterling and her team. I note the Rapid Response Legal Support for the CUNY Community informational opportunities from the CUNY Citizenship Now! Office, as shared via email communications at Hostos.
In presentations and updates this afternoon, you will hear from SGA President Nichelle Hemphill about their proposed work this year; College Senate Chair Ernest Ialongo; a budget update and plans for the renovations of 558 from SVP Esther Rodriguez-Chardavoyne; the generous engagement of SDEM and OAA that produced an enrollment growth that augurs well for Hostos and invites reflection on the importance of retention to successful graduation at Hostos. Chief Diversity Officer Phil Oliveri will discuss required trainings under Title VI and Title IX, as well as upcoming opportunities. AVP Audant will present the Operational Plan Update and the PMP review results. There are a number of upcoming cultural and educational opportunities, and Deputy to the President Diana Kreymer will be sharing an update. At the end of the presentations, there will be an opportunity for questions and answers.
My dear Hostos family, Hostos Community College is committed to living its mission in a generous and talented ways. Let me just affirm the six pillars of our HCC Mission Statement:
● Provide access to higher education.
● Serve as a community resource.
● Celebrate diversity and multiculturalism.
● Facilitate socio-economic mobility.
● Develop linguistic, mathematical, technological and critical thinking proficiencies.
● Foster intellectual growth and lifelong learning.
These pillars are supported by the work taking place to support our Institutional Priorities:
● Systems Alignment: Enhance our coordinated efforts to better support student academic momentum and completion.
● Academic Competencies: Foster student development of General Education competencies and language and math skills to support success in subsequent academic steps and in the job market.
● Community Resource Hub: Sustain and strengthen Hostos’ role as a resource hub for our community.
Finally, I end my brief remarks with a quote you will hear me bring up often from Pablo Neruda’s Nobel Laureate speech: “All paths lead to the same goal; to convey to others what we are…but in this dance or in this song there are fulfilled the most ancient rites of our conscience in the awareness of being human and of believing in a common destiny.”
I believe that our common destiny is that of a community of purpose; an academic community that partners with multiple stakeholders and works closely together in harmony and in concert, to ensure that Eugenio María de Hostos Community College will live up to the promise made in our mission to embrace diversity and opportunity as the birthright of all.
Thank you for your support.
Mil gracias y bendiciones,
Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
President
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“Love in the Classroom”
By Al Zolynas
For my students.
Afternoon. Across the garden, in Green Hall,
someone begins playing the old piano —
a spontaneous piece, amateurish and alive,
full of a simple, joyful melody.
The music floats among us in the classroom.
I stand in front of my students
telling them about sentence fragments.
I ask them to find the ten fragments
in the twenty-one-sentence paragraph on page forty-five.
They’ve come from all parts
of the world — Iran, Micronesia, Africa,
Japan, China, even Los Angeles — and they’re still
eager to please me. It’s less than half
way through the quarter.
They bend over their books and begin.
Hamid’s lips move as he follows
the tortuous labyrinth of English syntax.
Yoshie sits erect, perfect in her pale make-up,
legs crossed, quick pulse minutely
jerking her right foot. Tony,
from an island in the South Pacific, sprawls
limp and relaxed in his desk.
The melody floats around and through us
in the room, broken here and there, fragmented,
re-started. It feels Mideastern, but
it could be jazz, or the blues — it could be
anything from anywhere.
I sit down on my desk to wait,
and it hits me from nowhere — a sudden,
sweet, almost painful love for my students.
“Nevermind,” I want to cry out.
“It doesn’t matter about fragments.
Finding them or not. Everything’s
a fragment and everything’s not a fragment.
Listen to the music, how fragmented,
how whole, how we can’t separate the music
from the sun falling on its knees on all the greenness,
from this moment, how this moment
contains all the fragments of yesterday
and everything we’ll ever know of tomorrow!”
Instead, I keep a coward’s silence.
The music stops abruptly;
they finish their work,
and we go through the right answers,
which is to say
we separate the fragments from the whole.
In “Teaching with Fire: Poetry that Sustains the Courage to Teach,” 2003, pp. 52.
| | MESSAGE FROM STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA) PRESIDENT NICHELLE HEMPHILL | | |
Good day to you all!
I hope you had the opportunity to participate in the welcome week events at the Student Government Booth, as well as the SDEM BBQ at the park across the street. Both events were filled with valuable resources that you can find on the Hostos campus that are free and valuable to students, no matter what they may be looking for, such as the Family Empowerment Program (FEP), which is for student-parents, the Counseling Center, Student Activities, the Student Leadership Academy (SLA), Hostos Athletics, CUNY EDGE, the Food Pantry, CUNY CARES, the Scholarships Office, Transfer Services and the Children’s Center.
There are also a host of clubs at Hostos that you can join and engage with outside of your class hours. Hostos Community College currently has 56 registered clubs, including the Nursing Club, Dental Hygiene Club, Origami Club, Caiman Podcast Club, Math Club, Community Health Club, The Dreamers Club, and several honors societies and special interest clubs. I hope that you will take a walk to the Student Government Association (SGA) booth on the C-building’s third floor to inquire about the clubs that are on campus, and if there is not a club that fits your interest, you and some like-minded individuals are totally encouraged to create a new Hostos club. The SGA is excited to see what the clubs have planned for the semester and hopes to partner with them on some exciting activities that we hope all of you will come and join in on, to keep the college festivities in motion. Participating in events and joining clubs is a very powerful way to own your college experience, find something new to explore, and make an impact upon your community.
The SGA values community service and a commitment to the college community and the university. If you would like to get involved in something that asks a little more of you than just serving as a club member or club leader, we invite you to explore the Hostos SLA, where you can develop and hone leadership skills and invest time in volunteering and community service, or the SGA, where you can help serve as a representative of the student body. We currently have five openings in the Student Senate. Applications can be picked up in C-371.
Your SGA is here to serve and represent you. Please feel free to visit us in our offices on the fifth floor of the C-building (our Fall office hours are now posted), visit the SGA Information Booth and connect with our members or representatives there, or learn more about us here. We are excited to see you at events and activities around the campus, and we truly hope that the first weeks of the semester have gone along smoothly for you.
| | MS. MACKENZIE SCOTT'S GIFT: PRESIDENT'S INITIATIVES | | |
Submitted by Sofia Oviedo, Ph.D., Research Programs Director
Mentor/Mentee Jobs on Campus Opportunities Available!
Hostos students are invited to apply for part-time on-campus job opportunities available through Mentor/Mentee Jobs on Campus. Students will gain valuable work experience, on-the-job mentoring from a faculty/staff mentor, and professional development support to promote career readiness and future job retention. Students can work up to 10 hours per week and are paid $20/hour. Students are eligible to apply if they are currently enrolled as a part-time/full-time student and have a minimum GPA of 2.7. Academic and administrative departments that are interested in participating this academic year and hiring a student mentee are also invited to apply. Please use CUNYFirst credentials to access the applications.
Application deadline for students and departments for Fall 2025 is October 15!
Mentor/Mentee Jobs on Campus Student Application
Mentor/Mentee Jobs on Campus Department Application
Families United in Education Invites Family Members to Apply!
The Families United in Education Program (FUiE) is inviting all family members who are currently enrolled at Hostos to apply for the fall semester cohort. FUiE is designed to support and encourage family members, including siblings, cousins, spouses/legal partners, parent/adult children, who are enrolled in degree programs to make satisfactory progress toward degree completion. The program offers monthly mentoring, educational workshops, access to social supports, and cultural engagement experiences. If you are interested in applying, complete the screening application here. The deadline to apply for fall enrollment is October 24, 2025. For more information, contact Ms. Christeen Francis, FUiE Program Manager, at chfrancis@hostos.cuny.edu.
| | INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH AND ASSESSMENT (OIERA) | | |
Submitted by Assistant Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness Babette Audant, Ph.D.
Highlights of Key Performance Indicators: Part II
Gateway English and math completion signifies the development and demonstration of college-level foundational skills. Students in all CUNY majors (with very few programs) are required to complete these components of the Pathways Required Core (vs the Pathways Flexible Core). Successful completion of Gateway English* and math is correlated with stronger first-term and first-year retention in addition to preparing students for subsequent coursework. For these reasons, Gateway completion is tracked at CUNY as well as nationally as a KPI (key progress indicator). At Hostos, in addition to tracking the rate of Gateway completion among first-time full-time freshmen (FTFTF), we also track attempt rates and look at sub-cohorts of first-year students, one of the Strategic Progress Indicators, or SPIs, to which we committed in the Hostos Strategic Plan, Elevating Justice.
Some background: At Hostos, Gateway courses were revised ~five years ago in response to a CUNY mandate to eliminate developmental coursework. Guided by the CUNY mandate, faculty in English and Math took initiative and designed models of Gateway English and math, respectively, that include versions of foundational courses with integrated academic support. Additionally, Hostos invests in tutors who are embedded into 51% of ENG co-req sections and all Math SI (Supplemental Instruction) courses, providing real-time support in addition to the time allotted for instruction. Notably, thanks to faculty commitment to the redesign of these critical courses, Hostos implemented the new models nearly two years ahead of CUNY’s deadline.
Where we are today: In AY2024-25, Hostos' first-time full-time freshmen (FTFTF) completed Gateway English and math at significantly higher rates than in AY2023-24. English Gateway rates have rebounded among FTFTFs at an extraordinary rate, increasing from 53.2% (Fall 23) to 68.7% (Fall 24). To put this into system-wide perspective, while English Gateway completion rates increased CUNY-wide (i.e., from 61.4% to 70.4% among community college students), Hostos’ rates increased by 15.2 percentage points, an unprecedented 28.3% rate of improvement. Math Gateway now exceeds pre-pandemic rates, increasing from 49.5% (Fa23) to 56.1% (Fa24).
Among the contributing factors are an increase in attempt rates among FTFTF: English attempt rates rose from 89.2% (Fa23) to 96.6% (Fa24), and math attempt rates rose from 53.2% (Fa23) to 68.7% (Fa24). Advisors and other defining components of First Year Experience (FYS), including First Year Seminar (FYS), are successfully communicating the importance of completing Gateway coursework in Year 1.
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Even as Gateway completion rates are increasing for both female and male students, there are gender-based outcomes gaps at Hostos in English and Math: female students typically achieve higher completion rates in English and lower completion rates in Math than male students. For Gateway English, the gap in female/male outcomes increased over the past three cohorts: in AY2022-23, both female and male students’ completion rate was 57.3%. In Gateway math, the gap in female/male outcomes decreased over the past three cohorts: in AY2022-23, female students’ completion rate was 49.3% and male students’ completion rate was 54.9%, a 5.2 percentage point gap. In AY2024-25, female students’ completion rate was 56.2% and male students’ completion rate was 56.8%, a 0.6% percentage point (1%) gap.
How do we sustain and continue to improve Gateway completion? Next steps include building on expanded faculty training, integration of SI, and advisor use of Gateway attempt and completion data, including by using Navigate to target outreach and exploring ways to strengthen SI faculty/peer/student feedback loops.
| | OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS | | |
Submitted by Director Eric Radezky, Ph.D.
The NYC Public Engagement Unit: Benefits on Your Block, Upcoming Dates in Washington Heights, Inwood, Tremont, Belmont and West Farms
This week’s update comes from the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit.
This September and October, the NYC Public Engagement Unit is hosting free community resource and benefit enrollment fairs every Saturday in neighborhoods across the five boroughs. Residents can be screened for benefit eligibility with dozens of NYC agencies and apply on-site.
One event will be held in Washington Heights/Inwood on Saturday, September 13, in the West Bronx areas of Tremont, Belmont, and West Farms on Saturday, September 27, and in the Northeast Bronx on Saturday, October 4.
Learn more about the agencies and services that will be at these events, as well as what documentation you should bring to sign up for services, by visiting the Benefits on Your Block website.
| | OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY | | |
Submitted by Dean Ana García Reyes
Thank You for Inviting Us into Spaces of Learning and Celebration
Hostos Community College is grateful to have been invited to recent events that brought together leaders, innovators, and friends in education and community building.
On August 14, 2025, The Office of Community Relations proudly represented Hostos at City & State’s “Education in New York Summit: Shaping Tomorrow’s Schools Through Innovation” at the Jewish Museum. The summit convened highly influential leaders and thinkers across education to share ideas and debate critical issues such as school choice, closing the achievement gap, and special education services. It was inspiring to exchange perspectives, engage in dialogue, and connect with policy makers and educators at this full-house gathering. We thank City & State for creating such a powerful space for learning and networking, and we celebrate the outstanding speakers who enriched the day’s discussions.
On July 14, 2025, we also joined the NYLPRW 17th Annual Scholarship Gala at Marina Del Rey. Congratulations to President and CEO Eunice Santiago and the Board of Directors on a successful celebration of leadership, scholarship, and community. We are especially proud of the recognition given to Hostos and CUNY colleagues, alumni, and students, including Dr. Aldrin Bonilla, Hon. Ischia Bravo, our own nursing student awardee, Ines Leon Mora, and Hon. CUNY Trustee Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. It was a joy to celebrate alongside so many distinguished leaders, colleagues, and friends, including CUNY presidents, administrators, and community partners. The NYLPRW continues to elevate and amplify the achievements of our diverse Latino communities, and we were honored to be present to applaud their work.
We thank our hosts for welcoming Hostos into these vital spaces of engagement, where ideas are shared, voices are amplified, and community is strengthened. We look forward to continuing to learn, celebrate, and build together.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, we join the nation in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month. I am pleased to invite the Hostos community to participate in the following upcoming events:
- Distinguished Latino Leaders and Student Scholars Awards Ceremony
September 17, 2025, at 3 PM
Hostos Research Center
- Professional Development & Study Abroad Program Teachers’ Reunion
September 25, 2025, at 4 PM
Gregorio Luperón High School, Manhattan
This past summer was filled with meaningful connections, collaborations, and celebrations for Hostos Community College. Together with our community partners, elected officials, colleagues, and scholars, we worked to strengthen the bonds that uplift our students, faculty, and the broader Bronx and New York community.
The Office of Community Relations is deeply grateful to our community friends, partners, and elected officials for inviting us to so many enriching gatherings this summer. These opportunities remind us of the power of collaboration and shared purpose.
As part of our ongoing engagement with policymakers and external stakeholders, we proudly welcome all who wish to join the Hostos family, whether as prospective students, partners, or event collaborators. Thank you for continuing to refer students to our programs and for inviting Hostos to be part of such vital cultural and community events. We look forward to building on this momentum and celebrating many more milestones together.
| | OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY | | |
Submitted by Chief Diversity Officer, Title IX Coordinator, and 504/ADA Coordinator Philip Oliveri, Esq.
CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct
This Policy states:
CUNY students, employees and visitors deserve the opportunity to live, learn and work free from sexual misconduct. Accordingly, CUNY is committed to:
- Defining conduct that constitutes sexual misconduct.
- Providing clear guidelines for students, employees and visitors on how to report incidents of sexual misconduct.
- Providing ongoing assistance and support to all parties after allegations of sexual misconduct have been made.
- Promptly and respectfully responding to and investigating allegations of sexual misconduct, pursuing disciplinary action when appropriate and taking action to investigate and address any allegations of retaliation.
- Providing awareness and prevention information on sexual misconduct, including widely disseminating this policy, as well as a “Students’ Bill of Rights” and implementing training and educational programs on sexual misconduct to college constituencies.
- Gathering and analyzing information and data that will be reviewed in order to improve safety, reporting, responsiveness and the resolution of allegations of sexual misconduct.
- Distinguishing between the specific conduct defined as Title IX sexual harassment by the USDOE and sex discrimination as prohibited by this policy.
- Ensuring compliance with the federal regulations under Title IX, and other federal, state and local laws.
This is CUNY’s sole policy to address sexual misconduct, and it is applicable at all CUNY colleges and units. This policy will be interpreted in accordance with the principles of academic freedom adopted by CUNY’s Board of Trustees. Read more here.
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Submitted by Interim Provost and VP Andrea Fabrizio, Ph.D.
From the Senate Floor to the National Palace: Recognition for Teaching and Contribution
Academic Affairs is proud to congratulate Professor Juan Soto-Franco from the English Department on his recent recognition for teaching abroad. On June 2, 2025, Prof. Soto-Franco was recognized as a Meritorious Teacher residing abroad by the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader; the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Peña; Minister of Education, Luis Miguel Decamps; and Minister of Science and Technology, Franklin Garcia Fermin. The ceremony was held at the National Palace in the Dominican Republic, which had national and international coverage on multiple online newspapers and social media. Articles and posts featured Professor Soto-Franco’s video interview and article. After receiving the recognition, Prof. Soto-Franco reported that it was a very emotional moment that provided him with motivation to continue his commitment to teaching with high quality and renewed energy at Hostos, and working within the Bronx community. Prof. Soto-Franco was joined by Hostos Dean of Community Relations Ana Garcia Reyes, who nominated him for this prestigious award.
ASAP in Action
Submitted by Sidd Mohammad
ASAP is kicking off Fall 2025 with great energy after a strong Spring semester. Seventy-two percent of our students hit their academic benchmarks, and the program has grown to serve over 1,200 students. Just last week, ASAP wrapped up the Summer Institute with an amazing turnout of 276 new students. ASAP administrators and advisors are excited to keep the momentum going and help even more students stay on track toward graduation.
Remaking/Remarking the US Constitution
Submitted by Tram Nguyen, English Department
On August 21, 2025, more than 20 professors across disciplines gathered for "Remaking/Remarking the US Constitution," a professional development institute generously funded by Core Books: A Multi-Campus CUNY Humanities Proposal and led by Profs. Gregory Marks, Tram Nguyen, and Amina Tajbhai, all from the English Department. A panel of experts featuring Profs. Kris Burrell and Helen Chang from the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department, and Jessica Lee from Columbia University, spoke to the constitutional issues and debates that are prevalent today.
IVP and Provost Fabrizio gave remarks to commence the pedagogy workshop in the afternoon and noted that it was a pleasure to see so many colleagues excited to engage in discussions and pedagogical development about a material topic. Faculty in attendance will teach the founding documents of the United States and encourage students to participate in Constitution Day on September 17, 2025, as well as attend a special lecture by Prof. Amy Wood on prison reform on October 7, 2025. More information to come!
| | STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT (SDEM) | | |
Submitted by VP Althea Sterling, Ed.D.
CUNY EDGE
Calling All CUNY EDGE Students: In-Person Orientation!
CUNY EDGE is excited to welcome our students to this semester’s in-person Orientation on Wednesday, September 17 at 2 PM!
This event is exclusively for CUNY EDGE students and will cover essential topics to help you succeed this semester, including:
- How EDGE helps fulfill HRA mandatory requirements.
- Completing school letters.
- Addressing case-related concerns, such as carfare and childcare.
- Accessing valuable services and resources on campus.
The information shared will help set you up for a successful academic semester and year ahead.
Bonus perks:
- Free food and refreshments will be served!
- By attending and participating in our workshops, including this orientation, you could be eligible for a $60 Amazon gift card!
A registration link will be sent to EDGE members via email. We look forward to seeing you there!
Financial Aid Office
Get Money to Help Pay for School: Have you applied for FAFSA? TAP?
There is still time to apply for the 2025-2026 TAP by filling out the FAFSA. Once submitted, New York State residents attending NYS campuses can link directly to the TAP application.
Scholarship Office
As the new academic year begins, the Scholarship Office is ready to support you in achieving your goals. We understand that financial barriers can be challenging, and we are committed to helping you find the scholarships and resources you need.
Stay tuned for upcoming scholarship opportunities, step-by-step workshops, and events designed to make the application process easier. Workshops will cover:
- How to apply for scholarships.
- Writing strong personal statements.
- Answering supplemental questions.
- Finding external opportunities.
Ready to apply? Click here to get started. For questions, visit us at the Scholarship Office (D-101W) or email Marina Esquilin, Scholarship Coordinator, at mesquilin@hostos.cuny.edu.
Student Leadership Academy
The Hostos Student Leadership Academy invites students to apply for an exciting opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and make an impact on society. Applications are now open, and workshops begin on 9/12/2025.
Whether you’re looking to strengthen your leadership skills, explore new opportunities, or make a difference in your community, the Academy offers programs and experiences designed to meet your goals.
The Academy also prepares students to:
Program Highlights:
- Develop leadership skills through workshops and community service.
- Prepare for student government, scholarships, fellowships, and job opportunities.
- Participate in conferences, retreats, and weekly workshops with renowned speakers.
Programs Offered:
- Emerging Leaders Program: Open to all students (including CUNY Start, CLIP, and Early College Program). Focus on developing leadership skills and community volunteering (16 hours/semester).
- Student Ambassador Program: For students with leadership experience. Requires 40 hours of volunteer service/semester, a 3.25 GPA, and participation in weekly workshops.
- SOS Team: Support campus activities and initiatives. Requires 24 volunteer hours/semester and a 2.8 GPA.
- Hostos Volunteer Corps: Flexible volunteering with no GPA requirements — serve at least one event each semester.
Get Involved:
Apply to the Hostos Student Leadership Academy
Apply for the Emerging Leaders Program
Apply for the Student Ambassador Program
Apply for the SOS Team
Join the Volunteer Corps
Record your independent volunteer efforts
For more info, reach out to Jason Libfeld, Student Leadership Coordinator at jlibfeld@hostos.cuny.edu or call 718-518-6541.
Follow us on social media: Facebook | Instagram: @hostossla | YouTube
We look forward to your involvement in the Fall 2025 semester!
Athletics and Recreation
Fall Sports are Back!
Are you interested in joining a fall sports team? We are now recruiting for the following sports this fall semester:
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Women’s Volleyball: Train and compete under the leadership of Coach Jhonnattan Fernandez. Email: jfernandez@hostos.cuny.edu.
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Cross Country: Push your endurance and join our competitive running team with Coach Bryce Holland. Email: bryceholland2.1@gmail.com.
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Esports: Level up your gaming skills and compete in one of the fastest-growing sports with Coach Cristopher Garzon. Email: crisga1998@gmail.com.
Keep up with the latest game schedules and team updates. Visit the Hostos Athletic Department website regularly for real-time information at https://hostosathletics.com.
Fall Intramurals: Get in the Game for Some Pickleball
Join us every Wednesday morning, starting September 10 for open play pickleball! It’s a great way to learn the game, get moving, and enjoy a friendly, welcoming environment. All skill levels are welcome!
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| ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE (ADM) | | |
Submitted by SVP Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne
Guide for Work Order Requests
With a new academic year now upon us, we recognize that many events are being planned. A majority of these events will require the services of our amazing Facilities and Custodial staff. Please use the guide below for requesting facilities services.
- For emergency situations, please call Public Safety (x6888) or 911.
- For immediate or urgent needs, please call the relevant extension only to report the following conditions or needs; do not create a work order.
- Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning: x4488
- Unusual Odors or Malodors: x4488, x4349, or x6888
- Leaks, Floods, or Spills: x4488, x4469, or x6888
- Bathroom Supplies: x4488, x4469
- Electrical Outage: x4488
- Health and Safety Concerns: x4349
- Exterminator Requests: x4349
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For Non-Urgent Work Order Requests, there are designated individuals in each division or department who are authorized to submit a Facilities Work Order request in the Archibus system. Per CUNY Central’s policy, only these designees* are allowed to submit a work order through Archibus. Please speak with the respective designated individual regarding the submission of your service request.
All non-emergency requests for service must be submitted through the work order system. Use the Facilities Work Order System to request non-urgent repair, cleaning, and maintenance tasks such as light bulb replacement, moving furniture, installation of shelving, painting, or floor restoration. The work order system organizes tasks for each member of the Campus Operations staff, so please do not make service requests to individual members of the engineering, maintenance, or custodial staff.
Please note that Campus Operations does not provide furniture assembly services; assembly services must be procured from the furniture vendor.
*Be aware that unless a designee needs to be replaced, no new designees can be added to Archibus.
Campus Operations is more than happy to help the College community. Please do your best to provide advance notice so they can provide you with the best service possible.
| | CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (CEWD) | | |
Submitted by VP Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham, Ph.D., LCSW
New York City’s First-ever Community Interpreter Bank (CIB) Training Course Developed and Implemented by CEWD at Hostos
In collaboration with the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state was launched this year, NYC’s first-ever Community Interpreter Bank (CIB)! Supported by the New York City Council, the initiative is designed to expand language access by recruiting, training, and dispatching interpreters to serve Limited English Proficient (LEP) New Yorkers. Training completers who become certified will either be contracted with a worker-owned language cooperative or work as independent contractors. The initiative is led by the NYIC, African Communities Together (ACT), Asian American Federation (AAF), Haitian Americans United for Progress (HAUP), and Masa.
Through everyone's collective outreach efforts, 125 individuals completed the Interpreter Training Interest form, representing over 18 languages, including Fulani/Pulaar, French, Telugu, Hindi, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese, Arabic, Spanish, Korean, Wolof, Urdu, Brazilian Portuguese, K'iche, Kaqchikel, Zapoteco, Italian, Finnish, and Soussou. The first cohort of 23 participants successfully completed the 48-hour Community Interpreter training. Of these, 15 participants completed the additional 12-hour Medical Interpretation training, and 12 participants completed the 12-hour Legal Interpretation training (developed and facilitated by Immigrant ARC). Notably, nine participants successfully completed both Medical and Legal trainings.
Announcement
The CEWD Fall 2025 Catalog is available. Please click here, to browse our online catalog.
CEWD Information Sessions
To learn more about CEWD’s program offerings, please attend one of our upcoming Information Sessions:
Saturday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m. (Virtual)
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 12:30 p.m. (Virtual)
Saturday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. (Virtual)
Wednesday, Oct. 15, 12:30 p.m. (Virtual)
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 12:30 p.m. (Virtual)
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 12:30 p.m. (Virtual)
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6 p.m. (In-Person)
Saturday, Jan. 10, 11 a.m. (Virtual)
To register for a session, visit https://tinyurl.com/HostosCEWD.
Still Recruiting Students for CEWD’s No-Cost Community Health Worker Training Program
CEWD is currently enrolling students in our no-cost Community Health Worker (CHW) Training Program. The CHW training program prepares students to provide effective community outreach, build trust with communities, support connections to care and support services, and contribute to the overall health and well-being of their communities.
Students that enroll in CEWD’s CHW program receive textbooks, assistance with transportation (if needed), and a stipend upon completing each module in the training program. In addition, students that successfully complete the CHW Training Program may be eligible to obtain credit for prior learning that can be applied to their college transcript when they enroll in a Hostos degree program. CHW students can earn up to nine (9) academic credits towards an A.S. degree in Community Health or an A.A.S. in Aging & Health Studies at Hostos.
To learn more about the CHW program, please contact Jaunia Clarke at jclarke@hostos.cuny.edu.
| | INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT (DIA) | | |
Submitted by VP Colette Atkins
Hostos Alumni Faculty and Staff Directory Updates
Strengthening the Hostos alumni network starts with you! If you are a Hostos grad who works at the College, please complete this form or reach out to Alumni Relations Manager Felix Sanchez at fsanchez@hostos.cuny to confirm your contact information.
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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).
Congratulations to Dean Carlos Rivera
Hostos Community College is pleased to share that Carlos Rivera, Interim Associate Dean of Student Development and Enrollment Management (SDEM) and Director of Admissions and Recruitment, is among the 26 fellows selected for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities' (HACU) seventh cohort of its Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. Read more here.
Kudos to Proyecto Access STEP Program!
The Hostos Proyecto Access STEP program successfully delivered a hybrid summer session from June 30 to August 14, 2025, engaging over 120 middle and high school students in a rigorous STEM curriculum that emphasized critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world application. The program’s impact was enriched through strong partnerships with institutions such as NYU Langone Medical Center, SYEP (providing paid internships), the NSF H-TEC Program (supporting cybersecurity pathways), the HOPE Program (hands-on STEM activities), and the Children’s Harlem Zone (tutoring support). Students were further motivated by distinguished guest speakers, including Dr. Aleida Pérez of Brookhaven National Laboratory and Ms. Aishwarya Minocha, Vice President of Cybersecurity at Citibank, while Professor Reginald Dorcely, STEP/CSTEP Coordinator, highlighted the value of service learning and community-centered research. The summer culminated on August 4 with the STEP Showcase, where students presented 10 interdisciplinary research projects across Biological Life Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Human Services. Additionally, Proyecto Access secured renewed NYSED funding to support 264 STEP students and 124 CSTEP undergraduates annually over the next five years, reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence, mentorship, and community engagement in preparing the next generation of STEM leaders.
Congratulations to Professor Moise Koffi and his incredible team for making all of this happen during the summer!
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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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Volleyball Home Games
Thursday, Sept. 18 | 6 PM
Location: Gym
Opponent: Queensborough Community College
Thursday, Oct. 2 | 6 PM
Location: Gym
Opponent: Fashion Institute of Technology
Saturday, Oct. 4 | 12 PM
Location: Gym
Opponent: LaGuardia Community College
Thursday, Oct. 9 | 6 PM
Location: Gym
Opponent: Kingsborough Community College
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Title: Constitution Day
Date | Time: Wednesday, September 17 | 12:30
Location: C-391
Description: The Office of the President, in partnership with Professor Marcella Bencivenni of the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department, invites you to our special Constitution Day event! Join us in the discussion as we reflect on how the U.S. Constitution continues to shape everyday experiences, from questions of privacy to encounters with law enforcement, and why it remains such a vital foundation for our rights and freedoms. There will be a dynamic panel with Hostos History Professors Marcella Bencivenni and Kristopher Burreell, along with Helen Chang (Political Science) and Mariana Díaz-Wionczek (Psychology). Everyone can enjoy cultural presentations, educational video viewing, and more. There will also be voter registration!
Title: Distinguished Latino Leaders and Student Scholarship Ceremony
Date | Time: Wednesday, September 17 | 3 - 5 PM
Location: Hostos Research Center (C-130)
Description: Join President Cocco De Filippis and Community Relations Dean Ana García Reyes in recognizing Latino community trailblazers. Awardees include Julissa Gutierrez, Chief Diversity Officer, The Office of NYS Governor Kathy Hochul; Mónica Carrillo, Director, Latin America and the Caribbean, Myriad USA and Founding Director of LUNDU Centro de Estudios y Promoción Afroperuanos; Miosotis Muñoz, NYC Deputy Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs; and Angel Antonio Ruiz Laboy, Director of Arts and Culture, Center for Puerto Rican Studies. Meritorious students will receive 1199SEIU-sponsored scholarships.
Title: Hispanic Heritage Month | Hostos and Salomé Ureña: Reformers of Dominican Education
Date | Time: Thursday, September 18 | 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Location: Hostos Art Gallery
Description: Join President Daisy Cocco De Filippis and her guests, internationally renowned poet Chiqui Vicioso and Professor Emeritus Orlando Hernández, for an enriching literary conversation about Salomé Ureña and Eugenio María de Hostos in Santo Domingo. This will be a bilingual event.
Title: September 2025: College-wide Senate Meeting
Date | Time: Thursday, September 18 | 3:30 - 5 PM
Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room
Title: Still Hostos | Hostos Alumni Employee Lunch & Learn with CEWD
Date | Time: Thursday, September 25 | 12:30 - 2 PM
Location: Hostos Art Gallery
Description: Hostos alumni working at the College in any capacity are invited to attend a luncheon on September 25 to give your feedback on Hostos’ existing alumni programming and to share your ideas for the coming year. Additionally, Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development Evelyn Fernandez-Ketchum will share career-advancement resources that are available to you as Hostos employees. To ensure there is enough food for all attendees, please RSVP to fsanchez@hostos.cuny.edu by Monday, September 22.
Title: Aramis Camilo – 40 Years of Merengue
Date | Time: Friday, September 26 | 7:30 PM
Location: Main Theater
Description: Get ready for a night of rhythm, celebration, and Dominican pride! This electrifying concert honors 40 years of music from merengue legend Aramis Camilo. Fresh off his appearance at the 2025 Premios Los Nuestro and recipient of a Special Soberano Award for his incredible contributions to Dominican music, Aramis, who is known for his hits like “El Motor” and “La Varita,” takes the stage for a one-night-only anniversary event. The party doesn’t stop there! Joining him are special guests, including Henry Jiménez, Lilu, Wishow, DJ Albert, DJ Frank, and more. Plus, experience the vibrant spirit of the Dominican Republic with live folkloric dance performers. Get tickets here.
Title: Hispanic Heritage Month | A Conversation with Artist Kayleen Berry: How Ecological Inquiries Shape Art Today
Date | Time: Tuesday, Oct. 7 | 3 PM
Location: Hostos Repertory Theater (C-130)
Description: The Office of the President invites all members of the Hostos community to a special artist presentation with Kayleen Berry, a Puerto Rican artist originally from the Bronx, and a member of the Hostos family, who will be sharing how ecological research informs her artistic practice. RSVP here.
Title: “Tuya Siempre, Julita” by Roberto Ramos Perea
Date | Time: Wednesday, Oct. 8 | 7 p.m.
Location: Hostos Repertory Theater
Description: Much has been said about Julia de Burgos, her poetry and her tragic life. However, history continues to surprise us with new findings about her lovers and her struggle to become what she eventually was and continues to be, the greatest Puerto Rican national poet in our entire history. Get your ticket and don't miss the secret love life between these two poets... Julia de Burgos and Luis Llorens Torres, caressing each other to the rhythm of the waves of the sea and plagiarizing each other's verses. Contact the Box Office for tickets at 718-518-4455.
Title: 19th Annual Hostos Community College Foundation Scholarship Fund Golf Outing Classic
Date | Time: Thursday, Oct. 9 | 10 AM - Registration; 11 AM - Lunch;
12 PM - Tee off; & 5:30 PM - Cocktail Reception
Location: Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Courses
Description: Enjoy a round of golf and support your favorite community college! Join for the whole day at the scenic Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf Courses or just for the cocktail hour and awards dinner. All proceeds support emergency scholarships for Hostos students. To purchase tickets and see photos from last year, visit www.hostosgolfouting.com.
Title: October 2025: College-wide Senate Meeting
Date | Time: Thursday, October 15 | 3:30 - 5 PM
Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room
Title: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Date | Time: October 17, 2025 | 7 PM
Location: Repertory Theater
Description: As part of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Initiative, this free concert series brings world-class chamber music — including works by Beethoven, Brahms, and Elgar — directly to the Bronx community.
Title: Full Circle Souljahs
Date | Time: October 25, 2025 | 8 PM
Location: Repertory Theater
Description: Bronx dance legends Kwikstep and Rokafella reunite for a groundbreaking hip-hop choreography performance, blending street dance traditions with deep cultural roots and honoring the Bronx origins of the art form.
Title: Danza Fiesta – Annual South Bronx Folk Festival
Date | Time: November 15, 2025 | 3 PM
Location: Main Theater
Description: A vibrant festival celebrating Puerto Rican and South Bronx folk traditions, featuring music, dance, and cultural performances in the heart of the community.
Title: November 2025: College-wide Senate Meeting
Date | Time: Thursday, November 20 | 3:30 - 5 PM
Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room
Title: Spanish Harlem Orchestra – “Salsa Navidad”
Date | Time: December 6, 2025 | 8 PM
Location: Main Theater
Description: A festive holiday salsa concert featuring beloved classics and new music. Led by this Grammy-winning ensemble, the show bridges traditional and contemporary sounds.
Title: December 2025: College-wide Senate Meeting
Date | Time: Thursday, December 20 | 3:30 - 5 PM
Location: Savoy Multipurpose Room
Title: Papo Vázquez – “Holiday Jazz & Latin Jazz Parranda”
Date | Time: December 21, 2025 | 3 PM
Location: Main Theater
Description: Grammy-nominated and NEA Master Artist Papo Vázquez celebrates the holiday season with parranda music and Latin jazz–influenced holiday songs — a warm, inclusive celebration perfect for families.
| | 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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