EL SEMANARIO HOSTOSIANO/HOSTOS WEEKLY | April 29, 2022 | Vol. 4 No. 13, Spring 2022 Semester

Friday, April 29, 2022 | Vol. 4 No. 13, Spring 2022 Semester

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS

My Dear Colleagues and Students,

I don’t need to tell you that we are in the final stretch, just several weeks before the end of semester, final exams and commencement. I am thinking of all of you and wishing you a successful and productive end of semester. I am informed that as of this week the number of students who have successfully filed for a degree or certificate is at 1,089. Final numbers are confirmed on August 1, potentially as it has happened in previous years, graduate numbers may grow even more.

There is tremendous excitement around as we plan the commencement program, and Executive Chief of Staff Kreymer has been sharing information with the committee and college community. Just to highlight and announce important recognitions, please join us in celebrating as a member of the Hostos family the following:

Proposed Program:

Commencement Speaker: Elías Alcántara, Chair, Hostos Community Advisory Council

and Senior Vice President, Macquarie Group

Student Leaders:

Valedictorian: Brigitte Thiombiano

Salutatorian: Gabriela Torres

Community Leader and Honorary Degree:

Honorary Associate in Humane Letters: Ms. Elba Cabrera, Member, Hostos Community College Foundation

Presidential Medals:

Student Recipient:

Brigitte Thiombiano

Faculty Recipients:

Professor Yoel Rodríguez, Natural Sciences Department

Professor Cynthia Jones, English Department

Staff Recipient:

Ms. María Vasquez, Nurse, Student Health Services

Administration Recipient:

Ms. Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne, Senior Vice President of Administration & Finance

Community Recipient:

Mr. Aldrin Rafael Bonilla, Executive Vice President, Fund for The City of New York

Pre-Commencement Celebration

Thursday, May 26, | 11 a.m. | Evelina Antonetty Park

Commencement Ceremonies:

Fall and Winter semester graduates

Tuesday, May 31 | 2 p.m. | Main Theater

and

Spring semester graduates

Thursday, June 2 | 11 a.m. | Main Theater

Thank you for your support as we celebrate our students and our own professional and personal satisfaction in a job, once again, well done.

Mil gracias y bendiciones, Daisy

Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.

President

A POEM TO HONOR OUR UKRAINIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS

In That Life I Would Have Dwelt…

By Yuri Burjak

In that life I would have dwelt in Lvov (or maybe Vienna)

in a narrow street, on the first floor,

with flowers standing on the balcony

and an old bike in the entrance;

I would have been in love with a café waitress,

a girl with a Galician accent and a dark gaze,

and I’d have heard the “Radetzky March” from the barracks —

drums mixed up with the overseas drill;

I would have gone to a secret address to resist the aliens

threatening Europe,

and been taken for questioning from Lonsky Prison,

and perhaps somewhere, among the women covering their faces with shawls

in the prison yard after the retreat and before the attack (and the beginning of opera),

would have been my black-eyed girl.

“In That Life I Would Have Dwelt…,” by Yuri Burjak (see NYTimes, Book Review, p. 27, Sunday, April 17, 2022)

2022 CUNY TCLI MENTEE

Message from Erica Chito Childs, Chair and Professor of Sociology, Hunter College, and 2022 CUNY TCLI Mentee

Dear President Cocco De Filippis and the Hostos Community:

Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into your vibrant campus community! I am so honored to have had the opportunity to spend a two-week residency and get to know the amazing students, faculty, staff and administration. From the moment I walked in the doors on Grand Concourse and 149th, I was overwhelmed by the positive energy. President Cocco De Filippis began my visit with a poem and home-made flan, which embodies the passionate and authentic leader that she is. Yet, everyone I met was equally amazing, like the public safety officer who joyfully walked me to my destination on my first day, sharing stories of his many years on the job. While walking across campus, I watched and listened as students played beautiful music on the piano, casually between classes. I learned of all the amazing opportunities for students, student accomplishments and even bigger plans for the future. As a long-time resident of the Bronx, I have passed by the campus countless times, but now I am so thankful to be an extended part of the Hostos family.

With deep gratitude and appreciation.

PRESIDENT’S INITIATIVES

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

Dear Students and Colleagues,

It is hard to believe that the month of May is just around the corner, and we will soon begin to wrap up the semester with preparation for finals and graduation. While the next few weeks will be full of activities, there are many opportunities still in store for the Hostos community through the Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives. I am excited to share updates on our current initiatives and provide information on how you can participate.

Students looking for a part-time job this spring and summer are encouraged to apply for opportunities through the Jobs on Campus initiative. There are several job opportunities currently available across the Hostos campus that will provide students with workforce skills, professional development, and supportive mentoring. Students that are interested in applying can do so through the HIRECAIMANS symplicity career link. Students can obtain additional support through the Career Services office and can visit Succeed@Hostos to schedule an appointment.

The NextGen Public Health Scholars 2+2+2 Program is a new initiative that partners Hostos Community College and Columbia University to provide students interested in pursuing careers in public health and epidemiology with full scholarship support for their undergraduate and graduate education, mentoring, and resources to help them achieve their professional goals. On Monday, we held a virtual information session in collaboration with our colleagues from Columbia University, and you can view the recording here to learn more about the program.

The application deadline has been extended to May 6, and I encourage all interested students to get started right away and download the application here.

The Hostos Research Center (HRC) and Committee on Sponsored Programs and Grants (CSPG) is hosting a special two-day virtual event, the Hostos Grant Writing Workshop Series Kick-off Event on May 5 – 6 with Dr. Anthony DePass, an expert grant development specialist with decades of experience leading training programs in the field. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to this educational event that will provide key grant development insights and core foundational knowledge to strengthen your grant writing skills. Click here to see the agenda and Zoom links for participants.

In addition, the HRC and CSPG issued a new Call for Proposals for the 2022 IDEAS Project Development Awards (Innovating, Developing, and Executing Actions with Success). Faculty and staff are invited to submit proposals addressing institutional needs and/or current research questions with potential to be translated and materialized into a full-fledged project eligible for external funding. Each HRC-CSPG – IDEAS Project will receive $1,000 or $2,000 as a summer 2022 stipend/start-up funding to develop a grant proposal to be submitted to an external funding opportunity.

Application deadline is May 31, 2022. | Click here to access the full Call for Proposals.

For more information and to request a form please email Sofia Oviedo at soviedo@hostos.cuny.edu | Tel: 718-518-4309.

INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, RESEARCH, AND ASSESSMENT

Submitted by Dean of Academic Affairs Institutional Effectiveness, Research, and Assessment

Bringing AY21–22 to a close: Annual planning and assessment timelines

Spring break was an opportunity to relax, refresh, and disconnect. The return to work after spring break is—for me, at least—a stark reminder that there are only a few weeks before the end of the semester, finals, and graduation. And, that it’s time for academic departments to complete and review annual planning and assessment reports (A-PART). The timeline for academic A-PARTs is included below for reference.

In the next few weeks, faculty will be completing their assessment of program learning outcomes (PLOs) and making recommendations for next year based on analysis of their findings. Assessment for its own sake is a bit like “one hand clapping” without the identification of the “what’s next?” or, closing the loop. Using the results of assessment—qualitative as well as quantitative data—to inform planning is the why of these processes: a cycle of learning and applying what we learn. Repeat.

Department chairs and program directors seeking support, please contact Director of Assessment AJ Stachelek (astachelek@hostos.cuny.edu) to schedule a one-on-one meeting in the coming weeks.

Any data needed from OIERA to support end of year planning and assessment should be requested now to ensure sufficient time for review and response. Please reach out to Sen. Director, OIERA, Piotr Kocik (pkocik@hostos.cuny.edu).

Closing the loop! Department chairs, please reach out to Natasha Brewer in OAA (nbrewer@hostos.cuny.edu) to schedule a meeting with Provost Wang to review your respective A-PARTs, discuss recommendations and resource allocations including space and release time.

This is the timeline for academic A-PARTs:

October–April

Program directors coordinate the assessment of courses aligned to the program learning outcome (PLO) based on the curriculum map, providing faculty support in conducting the assessment and analyzing the data collected.
Department chairs and unit coordinators will continuously monitor activities and record results as activities are completed in the A-PART and in the college-wide operational plan in December and March.

May–June

Program directors finalize the assessment and propose actions based on the results of the assessment, along with resources or support needed to implement the change.
Department chairs and unit coordinators finalize the results and propose actions based on the results of the activity, along with resources or support needed to implement the change.
Provost and department chairs review the proposed actions and finalize activities for the following academic year, including those to be included in the college-wide operational plan.

September–October

Department chairs finalize implementation plans with faculty, including those included in the college-wide operational plan. Department chairs communicate all assessment expectations for the academic year including Gen Ed, PLO, APR, and grant-funded initiatives.

POLICY OF THE WEEK

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

Jury Duty Policy

Employees summoned to jury duty must notify their immediate supervisor and the Human Resources Office as soon as possible that they have been summoned and must submit a copy of the jury duty summons at this time. While serving jury duty, employees must keep their supervisors updated on a daily basis regarding the expected duration of service. When returning from jury duty, employees are required to submit a copy of the completed jury duty certificate to their supervisor and the Human Resources Office. A completed jury duty certificate will include the employee’s name, dates of jury duty service and the signature or stamp of the appropriate court clerk. If all of the above requirements are met, full-time employees except for certain skilled trade titles will be paid for their time serving jury duty without charge to leave credits. For federal and out of state jury service (as opposed to local or New York state jury service) the same procedure applies, but employees who received pay while performing jury service must reimburse the college if they receive a per diem jury service allowance from the federal or out of state governmental jurisdiction. Reimbursement may be done through the Human Resources payroll unit.

Certain skilled trade titles not entitled to be paid for their jury duty may at their discretion request the use of annual leave instead of receiving the per diem allowance from the court. Part time employees including college assistants, adjuncts, and other hourly employees will be paid either $40 for each of the first three days of jury service or their regular pay if less, if such employees perform jury service during their regularly scheduled hours of work.

NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Submitted by Shiang-Kwei Wang, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Honors Convocation

The 38th annual Hostos Honors Convocation is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The ceremony will be in-person in the Hostos Main Theater and is designed to recognize students for stellar academic achievement and performance and acknowledge students for their contributions as leaders among their peers and in the community. The ceremony will include recognition of students receiving distinct awards, academic departments awards and awards from participation in special programs such as Student Leadership Academy and Honors Program, to name a few. For two years during the COVID pandemic, Honors Convocation was conducted virtually. This return to an in-person ceremony is special as we come through the pandemic together as an academic community and Hostos family. The student honorees will be joined by the college President, Provost and Vice Presidents, and Deans as well by faculty, staff, family and friends. Participation in the theater as a recipient or audience member requires proof of full vaccination. All faculty and staff members are welcome to participate in the ceremony by observing as a member of the main audience or by sitting on stage to celebrate the students who are being recognized for excellence in academics, leadership, and service. Honors Convocation is a close collaboration between the Senate Scholarship and Awards Committee (SSAC) - chaired by Dr. Damaris-Lois Lang, Associate Professor of Natural Sciences - and the Office of the Vice President and Provost for Academic Affairs led by Dr. Shiang-Kwei Wang.

Dental Hygiene Patient Care Facility is now OPEN! (Recurring notice)

All Services are Provided at No Cost

The Dental Hygiene Clinic is a teaching facility that provides comprehensive patient care while adhering to the most current sterilization techniques.

Our services require more than one visit in order to provide comprehensive dental hygiene care. Appointments are normally two (2) hours in duration.

Clinic Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday | Morning and Afternoon Hours

500 Grand Concourse, B-Building, Room B-124 | Tel: 718-319-7943 | Learn more about the Hostos

Dental Hygiene Clinic here.

(Established in 1970)

CAIMAN CLUES

The “Caiman Clues” for the Spring ’22 semester

Students: Every week, for the Academic calendar year, read the Caiman Clues for helpful tips and reminders.

Caiman Clues —Your Hostos Helping Hand to Success

NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT

Submitted by Vice President of Student Development & Enrollment Management La Toro Yates, Ph.D.

I, Too

By Langston Hughes

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.

They send me to eat in the kitchen

When company comes,

But I laugh,

And eat well,

And grow strong.

Tomorrow,

I’ll be at the table

When company comes.

Nobody’ll dare

Say to me,

“Eat in the kitchen,”

Then.

Besides,

They’ll see how beautiful I am

And be ashamed—

I, too, am America.

About Langston Hughes

Spotlight on the Accessibility Resource Center

ARC students and staff opened up the CUNY Accessibility Conference with opening remarks and an introduction of Vice Chancellor Maybank. They also closed the conference by presenting with the Mayor’s office. The presentation was titled: Getting Things Done in the Name of a More Accessible New York: The Power of Numbers, Partnerships, and Calculated Planning.

In collaboration with OAA and EdTech, we have launched the Blackboard Ally pilot. Blackboard Ally program allows document conversions to accessible formats and evaluates courses offered at Hostos for accessibility. The new software has generated some inquiries, and we will be meeting with OAA to discuss how better to assist the college as the university rolls this out in Fall 2022 to all faculty.

Hostos Children’s Center

Infant/Toddler Expansion: Desert Grant (Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

Application submitted on 4/20/22 to OCFS. Award date on or around June 15.
Applied for 18 infant/toddler slots at an award rate of $12,000 per slot.

Moving Up Ceremonies/Preparations Underway: On May 24th we will host the Moving Up Ceremony for the Children enrolled in the Center. Our two-year-olds will be Moving Up to threes and some of our fours will be Moving Up to Kindergarten. Stay tuned for celebration details.

NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

Campus Operations (known previously as Buildings and Grounds) has been quietly conducting its work in keeping campus buildings in good working order and providing a clean, safe, and comfortable working and learning environment. Among the office’s current myriad projects are 1) the renovation of the former bookstore space and 2) assisting the Children’s Center in their recertification process.

Campus Operations is in the process of conducting a complete renovation of the former bookstore space in the C-building. The renovated space will house the Hostos Research Center (HRC), whose mission is to foster a culture of research and grants development and enhance student access to professional experiences. The Hostos Research Center and the Committee on Sponsored Programs and Grants (CSPG) are offering a Grant Writing workshop series in early May, and have recently sent out a Call for Proposals for the IDEAS Project Development Award which is open to all Hostos faculty and staff. The HRC’s initiatives are among several being supported by the MacKenzie Scott gift.

In the Children’s Center, in addition to routine rigorous cleaning and disinfecting, the Campus Operations crew has replaced all faucets with touchless versions and performed lead testing. They are diligently working with the Center to ensure that the Center meets all recertification standards in regards to the building and space functions. Hostos is proud to be able to serve student-parents by offering access to a safe, nurturing, affordable, high quality, educational learning environment for their children as they pursue their higher education.

NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

CEWD Staff Spotlight

Each week CEWD will highlight a staff member that began their trajectory as an Hostos student. We hope you share in our commitment to hiring our own and promoting them from within.

CEWD Staff Spotlight: Aleris Gonzalez, Non-Traditional Career Counselor

Aleris Gonzalez, Career Services’ Non-Traditional Career Counselor began her Hostos journey in Fall 2004 when Aleris enrolled as a freshman. Working hard and following her advisor’s advice, Aleris graduated in 2007 with an Associates degree in Liberal Arts. During her time as a Hostos student, Aleris first worked as a Work-Study and then College Assistant for the Career Services Department. Aleris successfully transferred to John Jay where she graduated in 2011 with her Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology and a minor in Counseling. Aleris’ first job out of college was working for The East Harlem Tutorial Program before moving on to a law firm where she was employed as a Paralegal Assistant. Knowing her passion was helping people with a more hands-on approach, Aleris returned to Hostos’ Career Services in 2015 working with students as the full time Non-Traditional Career Counselor.

“While being at Hostos, I didn’t only obtain a degree, I was also able to prepare myself for the real world. I have many accomplishments at Hostos, but my biggest accomplishment has been to be able to give back to my community and guide our students through their professional development journey.”

Saint Barnabas Hospital’s Wellness Alliance Welcomes CEWD as Newest Member

SBH Wellness Alliance welcomed Hostos Division of Containing Education and Workforce Development as their newest member last week during their monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 20. The SBH Wellness Alliance (SBHWA) is conducted through Saint Barnabas Hospital’s Community Affairs and External Affairs Department in recognition of the importance of community partnerships. While promoting health equity, access and cultural sensitivity, the SBHWA regularly brings together community partners and stakeholders with the common goal of improving the health and wellbeing of the community served. Last Wednesday included 20+ representatives from organizations throughout the Bronx. Peter Mertens, Assistant Dean, made a well-received presentation on CEWD’s portfolio of programs including CUNY’s NYC Accelerated Workforce Recovery Hub, Non-credit to Credit Alignment and the Hostos Mackenzie Scott Scholarship for Adult and Continuing Education. Members were particularly interested in the free and tuition-based certifications leading to employment and/or college.

Re-Opening of Prow Building’s Front Entrance sees 100+ People Visiting for More Information.

CEWD, for the first time in two years, reopened the Prow Building front doors located at 560 Exterior Street at the corner of East 149th Street. While the River Avenue entrance reopened in September 2021, the main entrance had remained closed until last week. Approximately 100+ individuals visited requesting information on CEWD programming. The 149th Street entrance is open five days a week, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The River Avenue entrance is open 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

View the Continuing Education & Workforce Development Spring 2022 Catalog

NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Get Your Ticket for the 2022 Annual Scholarship Benefit

Wednesday, May 18 | 6 p.m.

The 2022 Annual Scholarship Benefit is just around the corner! Join us on May 18 at the beautiful Glen Island Harbor Club as we celebrate the outstanding community committed to helping Hostos students thrive. To see sponsorship opportunities or to purchase your discounted faculty, staff, or alumni ticket, please visit the website.

2022 Alumni Laugh-A-ThON – CANCELED

The 2022 Laugh-A-ThON has been canceled. If you purchased a ticket, please contact Alumni Relations Manager Felix Sánchez to confirm that your gift may be allocated as a donation to the 20.22 Class Campaign or a scholarship fund of your choice.

Let’s Keep the Hostos 20.22 Class Campaign Momentum Going!

The 2022 Spring Commencement is coming up, and the 20.22 Class Campaign is underway! Make a gift toward our transformational student support funds and help future Hostos alumni to persist.

Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture

April 2022

The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture continues to book world-class artists who illuminate the rich culture of the South Bronx. Please see upcoming performances below and visit the website to check out the full spring calendar.

Upcoming Events

Josean Jacobo

Herencia Criolla

Friday, April 29 | 8 p.m.

Acclaimed Dominican pianist and composer Josean Jacobo performs live and in-person on the stage of the Repertory Theater with his extraordinary musicians Daroll Méndez on upright bass and Otoniel Nicolás on drums. In Herencia Criolla, Josean Jacobo and his trio will perform new material balancing their musical heritage of Dominican music with an exciting contemporary jazz sound.

Get tickets here.

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company

An Educational Journey to the Battle of Puebla – The Story of Cinco de Mayo

Saturday, April 30 | 3 p.m.

Take a journey to learn about the impossible Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Folk and native traditions in song and dance, performed by the acclaimed Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, will guide you through the influences that led to the famous battle, its heroes, and the undeniable Mexican spirit that continues to inspire us today. This is the story of Cinco de Mayo!

Get tickets here.

Spanish Harlem Orchestra

Featuring Paquito D’Rivera and Herman Olivera

Saturday, May 14 | 8 p.m.

Under the direction of pianist Óscar Hernández, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra (SHO) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band that has set the gold standard for excellence in authentic—New York style—hard core salsa. Joining SHO are Paquito D'Rivera, whose artistry with the saxophone and clarinet defies boundaries spanning jazz and Latin jazz, and Herman Olivera, a master of the sonero tradition, best known as the lead vocalist for the Eddie Palmieri Orchestra.

Get tickets here.

BRAVO NEWS

Hostos Named as One of 25 Semifinalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

Eugenio María de Hostos Community College has been named as one of 25 semifinalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.