Friday, August 27, 2021 | Vol. 3 No. 1, Fall 2021 Semester
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MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS |
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My Dear Colleagues and Students,
In the first Semanario Hostosiano/Hostos Weekly of Academic Year 2021/2022, I write to thank you for your generous encouragement and for the ability to hope and to work diligently for a brighter future for all.
Mil gracias y bendiciones,
Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
President
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A POEM TO WELCOME A NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
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Reassurance
By Alice Walker, selected from “In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens”
I must love the questions
themselves
as Rilke said
like locked rooms
full of treasure
to which my blind
and groping key
does not yet fit.
and await the answers
as unsealed
letters
mailed with dubious intent
and written in a very foreign
tongue.
and in the hourly making
of myself
no thought of Time
to force, to squeeze
the space
I grow into.
About the Poet
Alice Walker is an internationally celebrated writer, poet and activist whose books include seven novels, four collections of short stories, four children’s books, and volumes of essays and poetry. She won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction in 1983 and the National Book Award. To learn more about Alice Walker visit alicewalkergarden.com.
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MIDDLE STATES SELF-STUDY UPDATE |
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Submitted by MSCHE Steering Committee Co-Chairs Professor Kate S. Wolfe, Professor Nelson Nuñez-Rodríguez
Self-Study Report Writing Process
The second draft of the Hostos Self-Study report will be ready by early September 2021. This “living” document represents a significant resource for both the institutional re-accreditation process and planning processes addressing priorities, creating innovative solutions and finding ways to impact the student experience most positively. This September draft aims to show Hostos’ uniqueness as the first draft was crafted following a compliance approach. This second draft includes feedback from Self-Study Steering Committee members, Hostos President and CUNY representatives. It will be shared with the Self-Study working groups and the whole Hostos community during early Fall. The document has to be submitted to MSCHE by late October in preparation for the Evaluation Team Chair preliminary visit scheduled for November 18th.
The final document should identify institutional strengths and challenges, and support it with appropriately analyzed evidence documentation. The Self-Study Steering Committee acknowledges the work of AVP Varun Sehgal, Gurudutt Sanjeev from IT, Professor José Soto-Franco and David Dos Santos from the EdTech office supporting the evidence organization process in the self-study SharePoint site. The accreditation process requires evidence to be ADA-compliant or legible PDF documents which support final draft findings. Thus, the report can utilize a well-organized Evidence Inventory that supports conclusions and inferences made in the report.
The final report is being written in one voice and shall represent a consensus-based, concise, fair and honest document of our institution’s journey. The Steering Committee members deeply appreciate the working group and all college members involved in the self-study. There is an intrinsic value in engaging around 100 staff, administrators, students and faculty members in a 3-year practice for learning how to gather and analyze evidence, understanding the meaning of evidence and using it to appropriately inform subsequent institutional steps. This collective effort, beyond specific findings, will definitely leave the institution in a better place to focus on identified priorities related to student access, retention and degree completion. The self-study completion will also reinforce how our daily actions manifest our mission’s commitment to provide a better future for our student population. Indeed, Eugenio María de Hostos thought that “schools have as a moral imperative the cultivation of conscience,” illuminates the introduction of our self-study narrative.
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INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS RESEARCH & ASSESSMENT
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Submitted by Director of Assessment, AJ Stachelek
Solidifying the Academic Assessment Infrastructure at Hostos
I am happy to welcome everyone back this fall semester! As we enter into a new academic year, I’m excited to share the ongoing evolution of Hostos’ assessment infrastructure.
The work towards updating and systematizing academic assessment last year culminated in clear processes and schedules for both academic degree programs and the General Education Pathways program. Through the work of the Academic Assessment Task Force (AATF), the Annual Planning and Assessment Reporting Template (A-PART) reports completed by the academic departments provided clear insight and direction in response to the overarching six goals for every academic department. The General Education Assessment Task Force (GEATF) facilitated collaboration among faculty across various academic departments, facilitating assessment and reporting of learning outcomes within the scheduled Pathways buckets.
To further the work of both task forces, and support faculty in sustaining and refining a culture of assessment, the assessment task forces are now committees, with Senate representation recommended by the Senate Executive Committee. Furthermore, an additional, junior faculty member will join each committee. This is intended to be an assessment mentorship opportunity, with the faculty member attending meetings to learn more about Hostos’ assessment systems early on in their career.
The Academic Assessment Task Force (AATF) is renamed the Degree Program Assessment Committee (DPAC). This committee will continue to support systematic annual assessment of program learning outcomes (PLOs) in all degree programs and support departments and degree programs undertaking the Academic Program Review (APR) process. DPAC is comprised of Professors Sanjay Arya, Marcella Bencivenni, Catherine Lewis, and Yoel Rodríguez, Acting Dean Olen Dias, and Director Piotr Kocik (ex officio). It will be chaired by Director of Assessment, AJ Stachelek, and a co-chair will be appointed at the start of Fall 2021.
The General Education Assessment Task Force (GEATF) is renamed the General Education Pathways Assessment Committee (GEPAC). This committee will continue to systematize assessment of General Education outcomes across buckets as they arise in the assessment schedule. GEPAC is comprised of Professors Jacqueline DiSanto, Sarah Hoiland, and Charles Rice-Gonzalez, and Director Piotr Kocik (ex officio). Similar to DPAC, it will be chaired by Director AJ Stachelek, with a co-chair appointed at the start of Fall 2021.
These two committees are an integral part of the work of enhancing assessment practices at Hostos. I extend a heartfelt thank you to the faculty and staff who have already been integral in this work and a strong welcome to those soon to join the members supporting this effort in the upcoming semester, and beyond.
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Submitted by Executive Counsel & Labor Designee Eugene Sohn, Esq.
Student and Employee Requests for Name and/or Gender Changes
Do you have a legal name change, preferred name and/or preferred gender identity?
Students who wish to change their names on official College records such as diplomas and transcripts may do so by presenting an original or certified copy of a court order reflecting the legal name change. Such a court order may arise in a variety or contexts, including a name change proceeding, an adoption proceeding, or a divorce decree. Employees and students may also select their preferred name (first and/or middle) for use on non-official College records such as College identification cards, course rosters, College email addresses, and honors and awards. A preferred name is not a legal name, but it is how the individual wishes to be addressed.
Employees and students may also select their preferred gender identity. No documentation is needed to update a preferred name or preferred gender identity.
Preferred pronouns:
While there is a process for gender and preferred name changes, these changes will not necessarily reflect a student’s or staff member’s preferred pronouns. It is nonetheless important to note that individuals have the right to be addressed by the pronouns of their choice (e.g. he, him, his, she, her, hers, they, them), regardless of how their sex was assigned at birth. Additionally, individuals must also be addressed by the titles that conform to their gender identity (e.g. Mr., Ms., or Mx.).
For more information about name and/or gender changes, please click on the following link:
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HOSTOS REOPENING UPDATE: WEEK OF AUGUST 23, 2021 |
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Submitted by Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne, Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance and Interim Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management
Preparing For a More In-Person Fall 2021
The month of August 2021 marks a careful, gradual shift to more activity on our campus. Scheduled appointments and work rotations will continue to help us safely limit the number of people on site at any time. And as we move through the Fall 2021 semester, we hope our students will benefit from having more access to in-person services and resources.
Such measures are outlined in the Campus Reopening Plan, which was developed and has been revised to match the CUNY Guidelines for Safe Campus Reopening and CDC and NYSDOH guidelines.
To further support our return, the COVID-19 Readiness page at www.hostos.cuny.edu/Ready has a new look so it’s now easier to find information about:
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What You Need to Know When Coming on Campus
Preventing the spread of COVID-19 is a communal effort, and these measures are most effective when layered together. So, when you’re on site, we ask you contribute to our community’s wellbeing by following some guidelines:
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Have proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result from within the past 7 days to enter. Specifically for our students, faculty, and staff that means:
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Fully vaccinated people should submit documents through CUNYfirst for verification to be exempt from testing.
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Unvaccinated people must complete weekly PCR testing at one of 20 CUNY-run locations, such as our site in the Hostos Art Gallery. (This also applies to partially vaccinated people, and those who prefer not to submit vaccination documents.)
- Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in shared spaces.
- Keep 6 feet apart from others whenever possible.
- Make sure you’re scheduled to be on campus or have an appointment.
- Limit elevators and bathrooms to 2 people at a time (or as posted).
- Avoid spreading germs by washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and practicing other hand and respiratory hygiene habits.
- Remember to stay home if you’re sick.
And don’t forget: you can email us with comments or questions throughout this process.
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NEWS FROM THE OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
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Submitted by Acting Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Charles I. Drago
Dear Hostos Famiglia,
Welcome to the 2021-2022 academic year! Our campus is ready! I hope everyone had a great summer and got some rest and relaxation.
New beginnings, new students, and new challenges. I believe that by virtue of our resilience, innovation, and dedication, Hostos has emerged stronger, better, and more relevant than ever. We have learned a great deal along the way and are now better prepared to face new challenges and opportunities. Several of our faculty this semester will start the semester as tenured professors and some will start anew as associate professors or full professors. Bravi!
We now have a permanent President who has great vision and will continue to move the College through these difficult times. A special thank you to all of our staff members who worked hard over the summer to clean and sanitize the facilities and our wonderful security officers who kept the College safe and provided counsel every step of the way.
I would like to express my gratitude for all the Department Chairs who went the extra mile over the summer. This just confirms the dedication to our mission! For those who helped make calls to students over the summer, gracias! I am filled with hope for the coming year and look forward to seeing everyone.
We are Hostos strong!
Seasons of Life
Poet, Catherine Pulsifer
Life brings many seasons
A new beginning a time to do
All of the things you want to.
A time to look at yourself
And put away any doubts.
Believe that you can succeed
You have the potential to exceed
So take a deep breath and go
Don't be discouraged if it's slow.
A season ends and a new one begins
Don't lose your smile or your grin
With a positive attitude with you
You will find success in all you do.
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Submitted by the CTL and EdTech
Fall 2021 | 25 Professional Development Workshops and “Are You Ready?” for all Registered Students
The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the office of Educational Technology (EdTech) continue working together to bring the latest trends, topics and solutions in the teaching and learning process. Offering faculty and staff pedagogically and technologically professional developments workshops.
This coming fall semester, the CTL and EdTech will offer 25 professional development workshops — CTL covering pedagogical discussions, EdTech covering existing and emerging digital tools. Showcasing best practices, reviewing the user experience, to optimize the educational learning tool.
The CTL and EdTech faculty led professional development workshop calendars can be found here.
“Are You Ready?” | EdTech Student Course
Currently, all registered students are automatically enrolled in this course.
“Are You Ready?” is an online, self-paced course available on Blackboard. Consisting of a self-assessment survey, a few brief videos, quizzes, a practice assignment, and a certificate of completion. “Are You Ready?” takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. It assesses a student’s readiness for online coursework. Covering topics such as working remotely and hybrid, on-campus services, and support, using content management systems and environments like Blackboard, Netiquette, CUNYFirst, Zoom, ePortfolios, Excel, PowerPoint and Word. Link to the EdTech Student workshop calendar here.
Additional resources can be found at the student section of the EdTech website.
As a course, ”Are You Ready?” was adopted and adapted by Bronx Community College, Guttman, Kingsborough, Lehman, and York College.
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Students: Every week, for the academic year, read the Caiman Clues for helpful tips and reminders.
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NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
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Submitted by Peter Mertens, Interim Dean, Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development and Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham, Executive Director, Workforce Development
Welcome to the Fall 2021 semester at Hostos Community College’s Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development (CEWD)
The faculty and staff at CEWD in collaboration with other divisions of the College have been preparing to continue to provide affordable quality education, job training, guidance and career services to incoming students. The CEWD is also working diligently on following safety protocols because our community continues to be our number one priority.
To that end, course instruction in Fall 2021 will include a blend of in-person, hybrid, and online courses. Many of our allied health job training certificate program courses will fall into the hybrid category because of their requirement for clinical experiences and hands-on skills development.
CEWD will continue to offer instruction and job training certification programs in in-demand industries like Allied Health, Cab, Commercial and Individual Drivers’ Licensing, Computer Technology, Construction, Counseling, Culinary Arts, Dental, Education, Fitness & Nutrition, Finance & Business, Pest Control, Real Estate, Security & Safety, Site Safety, Skilled Trades, and Teaching.
Other program offerings include preparation for the High School Equivalency (HSE) test known as TASC in English and Spanish, English for Speakers of Other Languages, pre-college, and transition to college admissions. Many of our certification programs require a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma and certain levels of English proficiency. According to the NYS Department of Education, you are 20% more likely to pass the TASC, the NYS HSE test, by completing a HSE prep program.
For several years, CEWD has worked in partnership with the Office of Academic Affairs at Hostos to create credit articulation agreements to make it easier for CEWD students interested in a college education to transfer credits from our occupational or job training courses to college degree programs. These agreements also assist students with no intention of enrolling in college, perhaps because they already have a degree or just want to change careers. We now have solidified seven credit articulation agreements with the College through the following industry-related programs: Allied Health, Medical Billing & Coding, Culinary Arts & Food Protection, Health Information Technology/Electronics Health Records, Child Development Associate, Basic Construction Management, and Community Health Worker.
CEWD is currently working with the College on providing students with college credit for skills and knowledge gained outside of the classroom and the process for assessing prior learning experiences. Additionally, there is work underway to provide federal Pell grant monies for the credit bearing courses.
CEWD also has grant-funded programs supported by government or private agencies available that allow eligible students to enroll at no cost. CEWD also manages occupational training contracts with community-based organizations, unions and employers that provide the same benefit. In addition, CEWD provides scholarship and tuition assistance information from various New York City, New York State, and private agencies.
CEWD delivers student support services through the following offices: Career Services, The Adult Learning Center, The Center for Bronx Nonprofits, the CUNY Fatherhood Academy, Liberty Partnership and Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program. The Career Services Office provides students with career direction and employment options through individual and group counseling, access to resources, career and job-readiness preparation and practical work experience.
In response to the pandemic, the Career Services staff created a webpage through which students can apply for job and internship opportunities, participation in virtual career fairs, virtual mock interviews and more. Virtual support services provided by our other offices can be found in ads throughout the fall 2021 CEWD catalog.
During the past year, CEWD staff continued to work on expanding free programs and services for its students by submitting new proposals for innovative grant opportunities and renewal applications with existing grant and contract partners, such as: The New York State Education Department (NYSED) to support WIOA Title II funding for the free Home Health Aide Training with contextualized English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Allied Health Career Pipeline Program (HPOG), the Consortium for Worker Education, Department of Small Business Services, the Department of Labor, The City University of New York, DC 37— New York City's largest public employee union, the U.S. Department of Education along with the Capital One Foundation, Horizons Youth Detention Center and the Department of Youth Community Development (DYCD). Thus far, most of the responses to our proposals have been positive. Through our education, job training certification courses and all the services CEWD offers, we work to provide students with what we know will improve their chances in the workplace.
Employers are seeking workers who take initiative and remain adaptable. If you or someone you know is looking for new skills, a new job, seeking a promotion, considering a new career path, or enrolling in a college degree program, CEWD is here to assist students in attaining the skills to do the job. Read our fall 2021 catalog here.
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NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
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15th Annual Scholarship Fund Golf Outing Classic
The Hostos Community College Foundation will host its 15th Annual Scholarship Fund Golf Outing Classic on Thursday, October 7, 2021.
Grab your clubs and your cleats because we are hitting the green!
The event will take place at the Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Courses in the Bronx. Come enjoy a round of golf while supporting student success at Hostos Community College.
While this event provides an occasion for comradery and friendly competition, it also helps to enable empowering opportunities for the incredible students of Hostos to persist and achieve their academic goals.
Your support ensures that the enlivening power of higher education remains accessible for all at Hostos.
Information regarding sponsorship opportunities and their associated benefits, as well as photos from previous outings, are available here. You may also contact Development Officer Idelsa Méndez to discuss ways in which you can support our students through this event.
Please register today and mark your calendar for the much-anticipated, in-person return of the Annual Scholarship Fund Golf Outing Classic! We look forward to seeing you on the course!
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On Thursday, August 19, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College celebrated the start of the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year. President Daisy Cocco De Filippis was proud to welcome over 100 students, faculty, staff, and alumni to the Hostos Welcome Festival, which took place at the new Evelina Antonetty Playground.
Hostos Community College’s Joint Dual Engineering Degree Program with The City College of New York's Grove School of Engineering (CCNY's GSoE) has been named a recipient of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s 2021 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award. The magazine’s recognition is born out of a desire to advance diversity, promote equality, and build a stronger workforce in the U.S. and acknowledges the importance of increasing the number of people from underrepresented groups entering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professions.
Assistant Professor and Reference Librarian Jorge Matos is working at the forefront of Disability Advocacy and Research. His contribution to the history of disability advocacy is praise-worthy, as is his representation at Eunice Kennedy Shriver 100: A Legacy for Inclusion celebration on Saturday, July 10, hosted by the John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site and Friends of the JFK Birthplace are partnering with Special Olympics Massachusetts, and The Eunice Shriver Center at UMass Medical School, and the Brookline Interactive Group.
On Tuesday, July 6, 2021, the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York appointed Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis as President of Eugenio María de Hostos Community College. Dr. Cocco De Filippis returned to Hostos on August 1, 2020, as Interim President after a hugely successful twelve-year tenure as President of Naugatuck Valley Community College in Connecticut.
Earlier in the summertime, on July 28, 2021, the Nasry Michelen Foundation Board took time to acknowledge and celebrate the appointment of Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis as President of Eugenio María de Hostos Community College.
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Office of the President | Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 9/11
Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 1 p.m.
Please join us, alongside Congressman Adriano Espaillat, Senator John Liu, and
other guest speakers to be announced closer to date.
Office of Academic Affairs | Memorial for Professor Isabel Li
Monday, September 13, 2021 at 12:00 p.m.
For Students, Faculty and Staff
Zoom link pending.
Office of the President | Middle States Self-Study College-Wide Open Forum
Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at 3:30 p.m.
For Students, Faculty and Staff
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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 Fall 2021 Publishing Schedule for El Semanario Hostosiano here.
Look for The Hostos Weekly each Friday.
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