Friday, February 25, 2022 | Vol. 4 No. 5, Spring 2022 Semester
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MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS |
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My Dear Colleagues and Students,
It is good to see life returning to the campus and to celebrate with our students and colleagues being able to greet one another and find ourselves sharing a space so loved by the Hostos family.
This past week was about embracing and celebrating diversity in a number of activities outside of the classroom. Just think of the powerful discussions that took place in various venues including Black History Month celebrations, the Black at Hostos town hall, Dominican Heritage Month activity, and continued Candid Conversations, sponsored by the SGA. Friday evening, I received confirmation from our wonderful Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee our final report submission has been successful. Also Friday evening, at 60% occupancy, we held a live performance of “Pepatian Presents: From Poor to Puerto Rico,” which was received with enthusiasm by the audience. Late Friday evening, Dr. Yates shared about the victory of two of our basketball teams — read more about this in the Bravo News section below.
Our first meeting of the semester with the Hostos Community Advisory Council had generous discussions about planning for our first industry summit in the early part of the summer, and our Committee on Sponsored Programs and Grants engaged in a conversation on grants writing. I feel so energized as I share in the enthusiasm of being a part of thoughtful educational opportunities for our students and the multiple opportunities to support faculty mentoring their students on research in different academic fields.
I wish you all another productive and hopeful week.
Mil gracias y bendiciones, Daisy
Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
President
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A POEM IN HONOR OF DOMINICAN HERITAGE MONTH: |
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“Poem 33”
By Julia Alvarez
Sometimes the words are so close I am
more who I am when I’m down on paper
than anywhere else as if my life were
practicing for the real me I become
unbuttoned from the anecdotal and
unnecessary and undressed down
to the figure of the poem, line by line,
the real text a child could understand.
Why do I get confused living it through?
Those of you lost and yearning to be free,
who hear these words, take heart from me.
I once was in as many drafts as you.
But briefly, essentially, here I am.
Who touches this poem touches a woman.
“Poem 33” by Julia Alvarez, selected from Homecoming. New York: Penguin, Plume Book, 1996, p.102
About the author: renowned Dominican American writer Julia Alvarez is a 2013 National Medal of Arts recipient. Alvarez has written novels (“How the García Girls Lost Their Accents,” “In the Time of the Butterflies,” “¡Yo!,” “In the Name of Salomé,” “Saving the World, Afterlife”), collections of poems (“Homecoming,” “The Other Side/ El Otro Lado,” “The Woman I Kept to Myself”), nonfiction (“Something to Declare,” “Once Upon A Quinceañera,” and “A Wedding in Haiti”), and numerous books for young readers (including the “Tía Lola Stories” series, “Before We Were Free,” “Finding Miracles,” “Return to Sender,” and “Where Do They Go?”). Visit author Julia Alvarez’s website to learn more.
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MIDDLE STATES SELF-STUDY UPDATE |
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Submitted by MSCHE Steering Committee Co-Chairs Professor Kate S. Wolfe and Professor Nelson Nuñez Rodríguez
Final Report has been submitted to Middle States
The Steering Committee (SC) submitted a final report and supporting documentation to Middle States last February 18. The final narrative can be accessed in the Hostos MSCHE site. The 100-page document and almost 1000 evidence pieces embody the last 10 years of the institution’s aspirations and vision for the future. This body of information represents the voices of around 100 Hostos members working during the last three years compiling and analyzing information despite the unforeseen changes in our lives we experienced in the last two years.
The institution shows maturity and resilience during the Self-Study process. There is a value in the Self-Study process itself as the Steering Committee co-chairs anticipated. Definitely, these outcomes of our efforts will nurture the development of upcoming 2023–2028 institution strategic plan, and more importantly, create and sustain opportunities to substantiate the promise to our students indicated by our mission: access to higher education, intellectual growth, and socioeconomic mobility through the development of linguistic, mathematical, technological, and critical thinking proficiencies.
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Submitted by Director of Research Programs Sofia Oviedo, Ph.D.
Research Programs Update for the Week of February 25, 2022
Dear Students and Colleagues,
As we have been celebrating Black History Month and reflecting on the notable contributions and accomplishments of Black Americans, I would like to briefly share the inspiring story of Dr. May Edward Chinn. A pioneer in the medical field and cancer research, Dr. Chinn overcame many obstacles including systemic racism and sexism in order to practice medicine and raise the standard of health care in Harlem, where she served her community for 50 years. Throughout her life, Dr. Chinn embodied a love of learning, tenacity, perseverance, and a commitment to helping others. While a student at Teachers College, she was encouraged by a professor to pursue a career in science and chose to become a doctor because of the lack of doctors in Harlem.
This was a formidable career choice considering that there were only 65 Black women doctors in the entire country at the time. In 1926, Dr. Chinn was the first Black woman to graduate from University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College and to hold an internship at Harlem Hospital. She was also the first woman to ride with the Harlem Hospital ambulance crew on emergency calls. City hospitals during this time denied admitting privileges to Black physicians, so she opened a private practice, where she confronted daily the consequences of racism and poverty on the health of her patients, with many ailing from cancer. She made it her mission to learn as much as she could to fight this disease. Her diligent efforts led to a position at the Strang Clinic, where she engaged in groundbreaking cancer research using family medical histories to detect cancer in its early stages.
Her story is inspiring to me because, despite the challenges and barriers that Dr. Chinn faced, she never gave up and was persistent in completing her education and gaining the specialized experience that would enable her to directly impact the community she cared so much about. I share this story in the hope that it will inspire you to continue moving forward in your educational and life-fulfilling journey at Hostos. This is a special community that is committed to supporting the needs of our students through a vast array of services and programs that foster academic growth, career development, and community-building.
This commitment is particularly embodied in the Ms. MacKenzie Scott Gift: President’s Initiatives for Student Success, College Growth and Stakeholders’ Engagement, which are currently underway and generating much excitement across Hostos. We have received positive responses from students, faculty, and staff to the various initiative announcements and over the coming weeks, I will share updates on how these efforts are directly benefiting students and making our community stronger.
Learn more here about the President’s Initiatives for Student Success, College Growth, and Stakeholders’ Engagement or contact me, Sofia Oviedo, Ph.D., Research Programs Director | Tel: 718-518-4309 | Email: soviedo@hostos.cuny.edu.
To learn more about Dr. May Edward Chinn’s story click here.
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Submitted by Executive Counsel & Labor Designee Eugene Sohn, Esq.
The City University of New York Policy on Drugs and Alcohol
The City University of New York ("CUNY") is an institution committed to promoting the physical, intellectual, and social development of all individuals. As such, CUNY seeks to prevent the abuse of drugs and alcohol, which can adversely impact performance and threaten the health and safety of students, employees, their families, and the general public. CUNY complies with all federal, state, and local laws concerning the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol.
Read the full policy here.
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OFFICE OF GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS |
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Submitted by Director of Governmental and External Affairs Eric Radezky, Ph.D.
This week’s updates come from the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs and AMNY.
Fair Fares – Ride for Half Price
Fair Fares is an NYC program that allows eligible New Yorkers to qualify for a MetroCard at a 50% discount. Mayor Adams and the City Council recently made the program permanent, but a recent story in AMNY shows that only about one-third of eligible New Yorkers are taking advantage of this cost-saving program. Check your eligibility on the Fair Fares website where you can apply today. The website also has information on ordering a replacement card if you lost yours.
File Your Taxes with NYC Free Tax Prep – Income Limits Apply
The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs offers free tax prep options and providers for individuals and families below certain income thresholds. Anyone who lives or works in New York City can use an NYC Free Tax Prep site. Services offered include assisted self-prep, virtual tax prep, drop-off service, and in-person tax prep. Income limits and other eligibility requirements may apply. Learn more at nyc.gov/taxprep or call 311 and ask for tax preparation assistance. See other frequently asked questions on the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs website.
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NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
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Spotlight on Faculty Achievement
The Office of Academic Affairs is pleased to congratulate Sanjay Arya, Assistant Professor of Radiologic Technology in the Allied Health Sciences Department, who was selected as a recipient of a RAD-AID ASRT Foundation Outreach Fellowship.
Professor Arya’s fellowship in Guyana will allow him to share time and expertise, and provide invaluable benefits, for the people of Guyana. Additionally, he will spend time at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in Georgetown, Guyana, to lecture and collaborate with radiology colleagues on-site. The fellowship will be facilitated through RAD-AID.
RAD-AID International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. This organization makes networks with various partners, for example, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, the private sector, government agencies, technology companies, and health institutions to bring radiology and medical imaging to low resource regions of the world for increasing radiology's contribution to global public health initiatives and patient care. This is achieved by delivering education, equipment, infrastructure, and support. RAD-AID began in 2008 at Johns Hopkins University and has grown to include 14,000 volunteers from 146 countries, serving 85 hospitals in over 38 countries. About Rad-Aid.org.
American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) is a society that represents radiologic technologists in the United States of America and is one of the partners of RAD-AID. The ASRT Foundation has collaborated with RAD-AID to offer funded opportunities to support radiologic technologists and radiation therapists interested in volunteering for this cause. Recipients of this award join RAD-AID project teams in international initiatives designed to improve access to quality medical imaging and radiation therapy for populations in need.
Academic Affairs wishes Professor Arya success with his contributions to the people of Guyana and we look forward to learning more about Professor Arya’s experiences and achievements when he returns to campus.
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EdCast with Professor Linda Hirsch: Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Matters
Is education complete without social and emotional learning? Dr. Linda Hirsch speaks with David Adams, CEO of Urban Assembly, about the fundamentals and benefits of SEL in the classroom and its impact on helping students live productive and responsible lives.
Watch EdCast: Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Matters on YouTube here.
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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
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NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT |
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Submitted by Vice President of Student Development & Enrollment Management La Toro Yates, Ph.D.
Shout-out to the Women's and Men’s Basketball teams and a poem by Phillis Wheatley
Athletics
We want to give a shout-out to the Women's and Men’s Basketball teams for bringing home the CUNYAC Championships on Friday, February 18, 2022. It was amazing to see the cohesion between the teammates on the court while executing the game plan outlined by the Coaching staff. The Women's and Men’s teams also cheered for each other during their respective games and celebrated the victories as one “Familia de HOSTOS."
The Women’s Basketball team, ranked #10 nationally, will now move onto the Region XV Tournament as the 2-seed. The regional tournament winner moves onto the NJCAA Nationals in Rochester, Minnesota. The Men’s Basketball team will now move onto the Region XV Tournament as the 4-seed. The regional tournament winner moves onto the NJCAA Nationals in Rock Valley, Illinois.
Please take a moment when you see our Women's and Men’s Caimans say congratulations and wish them luck in their upcoming games! I would be remiss without stating that both Women's and Men’s Coaches (Dwight Shaw and Marquee Poole, respectively) won Coaches of the Year in the CUNYAC Conference. I am very proud of the student-athletes and coaches who represented Hostos Community College during the CUNYAC championship games, and the positive direction Athletic Director Erick Smiles is moving the Caiman Athletic and Recreation programs.
On Being Brought from Africa to America
By Phillis Wheatley
'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refin'd, and join th' angelic train.
About Phillis Wheatley and the poem On Being Brought from Africa to America.
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Higher Education Services Corporation: Excelsior Scholarship Spring Term 2022 Application Deadline is March 7, 2022
To apply, students must meet eligibility requirements, including:
- Be residents of New York State.
- Plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two or four-year college.
- Complete 30 credits per year towards their program of study.
- Be on track to graduate on time with an associate degree in two years or a bachelor's degree in four years.
To complete the application, you will need
- 2019 IT-201 NYS Income Tax Return(s) for you and your parent(s) or your spouse, as applicable.
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NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE |
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Administration & Finance is pleased to inform the Hostos community that new furniture has been placed in the fourth and fifth floors of the C-building, overlooking the atrium. This provides additional seating areas where students, faculty and staff can enjoy their time on campus — to relax, eat, study, and socialize. |
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COVID-19 Vaccinations and Booster Shots
Hostos is offering extended hours for COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots, beginning Tuesday, February 22. Vaccinations and booster shots are available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Vaccination vehicle located on the Grand Concourse in between the B and C buildings. Health information for students, staff, and faculty will also be available inside the C-building.
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Submitted by Chief Information Officer and Assistant Vice President of IT Varun Sehgal
News from the Succeed@Hostos Initiative
Providing the tools and initiatives to bring the campus together around student success
The Succeed@Hostos Team is a thoughtful and dynamic group of individuals whose collaborative work and leadership has contributed to exemplary outreach strategies and implementation standards that have allowed us to increase our ability to provide academic advising, faculty engagement and non-curricular services to our students. The team works together to provide the tools that empower faculty and staff units to serve students no matter where or how they attend classes at Hostos. In their August newsletter, the global EAB / Starfish community profiled the great work that the Succeed@Hostos Team has been doing to integrate and onboard Hostos service groups into the Succeed@Hostos student engagement system.
Although the whole team works diligently to implement strategies and features to support student success, we would be remiss if we did not recognize the above and beyond efforts of two of our team members. Sid Mohamed (SSCU) and Sara Rodberg (ASAP) are core members of the team who advocate on behalf of students and advisors, for the tools and services that advisors and success coaches need to connect students with the offices that provide services which are essential to student success. Sara and Sid's energy and focus makes them a dynamic duo who powers the team’s enthusiasm and belief in Hostos' purpose of seeking and providing tools for our students with the best support our community can offer. Beyond that, they have proposed and promoted the alignment and execution of campus wide initiatives using the tools and features that are present within Succeed@Hostos. For instance, thanks to Sara, we are currently looking at five initiatives in the campus operational plan for AY 2021–2022 that we believe Succeed@Hostos can facilitate and fast track to a successful implementation.
As you can see from the chart below, our team’s membership reflects our belief that it takes a village to help our students achieve success and achieve their goals.
Team Member | Department/Title
Jeff Barnes, Deputy Chief Information Officer (IT)
Sarah Brennan, Executive Associate to the Provost & VP of Academic Affairs
Sara Rodberg, ASAP Academic Advisor
Siddique Mohamed, SSCU Academic Resource Center Manager
Safiya Faustin, SSCU Senior Coach
Minfeng Lin, Director of SDEM Information Services
Juana Alejandro Soriano, ASAP Data Coordinator
Flor Araujo Payano, SSCU Coach
Karla Contreras, Dual Degree Advising Coordinator
Piotr Kocik, Director of OIERA
We have implemented many new initiatives to improve the work that our advisors, faculty and staff do to support our students and there are more important initiatives that we are working on including a Retention scoring dashboard and aligning our offerings with campus operational goals.
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NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
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The Center for Bronx Non-Profits Presents the 4th Annual CBNP 2022 Women’s RESILIENCE Conference: Women Navigating the Tumultuous Waves of Change
Come to the virtual conference to meet a diverse group of accomplished women. Each will share their inspiring stories of challenges and successes in these rapidly changing times.
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NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
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Hostos Alumni Class of 20.22 Campaign
The Office of Alumni Relations’ Class of 20.22 Campaign is off to a great start, and we extend our sincere thanks to those who have given so far. Please help us to honor the Class of 2022 by making your gift today. Click here to learn more and to make a gift in support of the future Hostos graduates.
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Upcoming Office of Alumni Relations Events
Please mark your calendar and save the date for the following upcoming alumni events. More details to follow.
3/24/2022 – Virtual – Career Services and OAR Alumni Mixer
4/21/2022 – In-person – Hostos Alumni Mixer
4/22/2022 – Engineering Alumni Awards (Location TBD)
5/19/2022 – In-person – Alumni Laugh-A-Thon
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Get to Know the Scholarship Website (Recurring notice)
DIA urges all student-facing faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with the Academic Works website and to check back in with it throughout the semester, as new opportunities may become available. There are a wide variety of opportunities for students with financial support based on major, volunteerism, need, meritorious achievement, and more. You are the experts in what our students need, so please encourage students to see if they qualify for a spring scholarship. Please note, DIA and the Hostos Community College Foundation serve only to secure funds for scholarships and do not participate in award decisions. For any application questions, please contact the scholarship office.
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Our top-seeded Hostos Community College men's basketball team are CUNYAC Champions again! The Caimans hoisted the trophy for a second straight season and the sixth time in school history.
The #4 seeded Caimans began their Region XV playoff push facing off for the fourth time this season and second time in five days against the #5 seeded Tigers of Queensborough Community College in the quarterfinals of the Region XV playoffs. The Caimans controlled much of the first half but a late push by the Tigers cut the halftime lead of the Caimans down to two points 25-23 heading into the locker room. The second half saw the Caimans push their lead to ten points two different times before Queensborough responded with a 10-0 run in the last four minutes of the game capped off by a Khari Ojeda-Harvey three pointer with 6.8 seconds left to tie the game at 54 apiece. On the ensuing Caimans possession the Tigers were whistled for a foul sending Hostos guard Joshua Brown to the free throw line where he calmly went two for two giving the Caimans the 56-54 lead. The Tigers had one more attempt missing a three point attempt at the buzzer for the win. With the win the 4-seeded Caimans now head to the Region XV semifinals where their opponent will be #1 seed Suffolk Community College.
Read the rest of the story here.
No. 10 Hostos Wins Fifth Consecutive CUNYAC Community College Women’s Basketball Championship
For a fifth consecutive season, the Hostos Community College women's basketball team is CUNYAC Champions, defeating Bronx, 86-40, on Friday night to win the 2022 CUNYAC/HSS Community College Women's Basketball Championship.
The nationally ranked No. 10 Caimans turned in a strong performance on the campus of BMCC, hoisting the championship trophy for a conference-record ninth time in program history. Hostos is now one of two schools to win five consecutive championships in league history, accomplishing the feat for the first time since BMCC (1998–2003).
Read the rest of the story here.
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A Presentation on Social Justice: Black lives matter every day of the year, but we celebrate in February
Division of Student Development and Enrollment Management
Monday, February 28 | 3 p.m.
As Black History Month comes to an end, join VP La Toro Yates, in welcoming his guest,
Dr. George White, Jr., who will give a presentation titled “One Nation Under A Social Justice Groove.” Dr. White is an author, professor, and Interim Dean for the School of Arts and Sciences at York College.
Attend the Zoom event here.
Women’s History Month: “Women Leaders Round Table: Leading through Challenging Times”
Office of the President
Friday, March 4, 2022 | 11 a.m.
With guests, Senator Alessandra Biaggi, Councilmember Amanda Farías, Assemblymember Karines Reyes, and Assemblymember Amanda Septimo
Attend the Zoom celebration here.
Women’s History Month Lecture: “The Road Ahead for Women of Color: Pandemic Lessons and Opportunities”
Women and Gender Studies Program
Tuesday, March 8 | 3:30 p.m.
With Special Guest, Dr. M. Cristina Alcalde
Register for the event here.
Black at Hostos: The Origins of The Great Migration
Office of the President
Wednesday, March 23 | 3:30 to 5 p.m.
In this event, we will cover the period from 1916 to 1970 and discuss the primary factors and significance of the migration of thousands of southern African Americans.
Access the Zoom link here.
Save the Date - Annual Women’s Resilience Conference
Center for Bronx Nonprofits
Friday, March 25 | 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Center for Bronx Nonprofits' annual conference celebrates women and their place as leaders in their communities.
Zoom link forthcoming.
Black at Hostos: The Origins of Juneteenth
Office of the President
Wednesday, April 27 | 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Join us as we explore the historical origin of the 158-year-old upcoming holiday, which celebrates the emancipation of African Americans from slavery in the United States.
Access the Zoom link here.
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ABOUT EL SEMANARIO HOSTOSIANO/THE HOSTOS WEEKLY
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El Semanario Hostosiano/The Hostos Weekly is a weekly communication vehicle designed to unite our multiple voices as we share news about members of the Hostos family, provide updates on our work and upcoming events, and disseminate policy that impacts our work.
Published on Fridays at 9 a.m.
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For inclusion in The Hostos Weekly, please send your items to:
Please keep submissions to no more than two paragraphs of written content and note,
we are unable to add attachments to our publication.
Find the Spring 2022 Publishing Schedule for El Semanario Hostosiano here.
Past issues of El Semanario Hostosiano/The Hostos Weekly can be found here.
Look for The Hostos Weekly each Friday.
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