Friday, March 5, 2021 | Vol. 2 No. 7, Spring 2021 Semester
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MESSAGE FROM INTERIM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS |
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My Dear Colleagues and Students,
As I write these words, the weather is turning kinder and hope is in the air as we consider that more than 50 million of us have been vaccinated. This moment also brings to mind a number of activities last week that are worth remembering.
The conversation on “The Black Family,” insightfully moderated by Acting Associate Dean Leslie King, introduced us to the work of Dr. John Wesley Johnson, Jr. Assistant Professor, St. Peter’s University. The sense of embracing a Black world family, in this case shared experiences in the South of the United States and Santiago de Cuba, was powerful. We are fortunate to note that there is a generation of scholars working on filling in the missing chapters in our history books with information about the Black experience. It is my hope that we get to hear again from Dr. Johnson as we continue celebrating and learning more about Black lives. To view the recording of the event, please go to the following link: https://youtu.be/mwL3H6J2ppE.
February 25, Thursday’s celebration of Dominican Heritage Month, an event organized and moderated admirably by Associate Dean of Community Relations Ana García Reyes, continued to celebrate generously the contributions of Dominican-Americans to the fabric of this beautiful nation. Dr. Nasry Michelen, Founding President of Hostos Community College, was recognized with a plaque honoring his contributions. At this event, we also saw the recognition of two distinguished colleagues, a proud Hostos Alumnus, Dr. Amin Cruz, Minister Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations and NYS Supreme Court judge of Queens County the Honorable Lourdes Ventura. Ten of our students were recognized with scholarships sponsored by 1199SEIU: Tatiana Crosby, Alonzo Delgado-Mitchel, Ghislaine González, Mrika Mexhuani, Vanessa Pérez, Joan Emanuel Rocco, Daria Sazonova, Serigne Sene, Genesis Sozoranga and Marysol Vélez. Bravi! The event culminated with the announcement of the “Dr. Nasry Michelen Allied Health Lecture Series” by Dr. Rafael Lantigua. The first lecture on Mental Health followed at 5 p.m. with a thoughtful, generous, intelligent and must-hear lecture by Dr. Warren Y. K. Ng, Medical Director of Outpatient Behavioral Health at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Please look for upcoming lectures and for additional announcements by the Michelen Foundation’s Chairwoman Cira Angeles, supporting Hostos students. To view the recording of the event, please go to the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BaQfNcuOSU.
I am also happy to share with you that our Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez spoke and moderated a panel on CUNY and youth initiatives on Saturday, February 27, during the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus weekend conference. It was a powerful, shining moment for the university as a number of our alumni now elected officials spoke about the impact CUNY had had on their lives. At this time, there are 35 CUNY alumni serving as elected officials in NY. Recognized as well were a number of the Caucus CUNY Scholars to include our very own student Salimatou Bah. A member of the Hostos Student Leadership Academy and an SGA Senator, Ms. Bah is a woman with high aspirations and a bright future before her. Congratulations!
As we engage in another week of teaching and learning, and reaching out in support of one another, I thank you for your continued good work as we move forward toward the completion of a successful semester and with a hopeful heart about a safe and gradual return to a new form of normalcy.
Mil gracias y bendiciones, Daisy.
Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
Interim President
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
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A QUOTE TO REFLECT ON AS WE HONOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
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And what shall I tell you, lady, of the natural secrets I have discovered while cooking? I observe that an egg becomes solid and cooks in butter or oil, and on the contrary that it dissolves in sugar syrup. Or again, to ensure that sugar flows freely, one need only add the slightest bit of water that has held quince or some other sour fruit. The yolk and white of the very same egg are of such a contrary nature that when eggs are used with sugar, each part separately may be used perfectly well, yet they cannot be mixed together. I shall not weary you with such inanities, which I relate simply to give you a full account of my nature, and I believe this will make you laugh. But in truth, my Lady, what can we women know, save philosophies of the kitchen? It was well put by Lupercio Leonardo that one can philosophize quite well while preparing supper. I often say, when I make these little observations, "Had Aristotle cooked, he would have written more."
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, original name Juana Ramírez de Asbaje, (born November 12, 1648 at the hacienda of San Miguel Nepantla, Viceroyalty of New Spain [now in Mexico]—died April 17, 1695, Mexico City), poet, dramatist, scholar, and nun, an outstanding writer of the Latin American colonial period and of the Hispanic Baroque. Her most famous work is La Respuesta de la poetisa a la muy ilustre Sor Filotea de la Cruz, the first document written in the Western Hemisphere to defend the rights of women to study, to teach, and to write.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION BRIAN CARTER |
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Hello, I am reaching out to my fellow students with an uplifting message, as per my weekly words of encouragement. Feel free to live life as you should, to the fullest, for you only have one to fulfill in this lifetime. Give your best effort and hold yourself to that exact standard. Encourage others along the way, that despite our current circumstances, this pandemic will not define us, but only empower us to continue to achieve greatness as that is the standard that we will continue to set. Even if our attempts fail and we come up short, we still gave it our all and life is about moments and making the best of each and every opportunity. Despite being in a unusual situation, as far as this semester going forward, continue to find outlets, such as our upcoming series of workshops in which we uplift ourselves by setting the standards for everything from dating and relationships that will significantly lead to families and even discuss student parenting and exploring student mental health Pre and Post Pandemic in which health is wealth. I look forward to seeing you all at these events, which will be held on Tuesdays, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., in the near future, and where we plan to keep students engaged, despite our current circumstances. In closing, students, continue to keep your head up high and your mask securely on and when available, take advantage of these free opportunities to get yourself vaccinated as well. Remember, we are Hostos and will continue to be and hold ourselves to an academic dynamic, for this is the Hostos standard. Things will continue to become better for our world, just keep believing and continue to pray and encourage others to have the same values as well.
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Update: Planning a Return to Campus in Fall 2021
Submitted by Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne, Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance and Interim Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management
With early registration planned to begin later this month, the current focus for Hostos’s reopening has been for academic departments to determine which of our classes can have an on-campus component this fall.
Following the first Fall 2021 planning with academic chairs and directors on January 27, the Provost organized several more meetings in February. The full group of chairs and directors were invited to a second discussion on February 17. There were also meetings with smaller groups of academic chairs on February 2 (one meeting) and February 25 (two meetings).
At these meetings in Academic Affairs, attendees have had opportunities to ask questions that have arisen in their departmental conversations. Outside of these meetings, the Registrar also provided the academic chairs with enrollment trend information; this data was shared to help inform decision-making and avoid scheduling course sections that might later be cancelled for low enrollment.
Academic chairs were given a February 26 deadline to submit a draft of their department’s course schedules to the Registrar’s Office. Final course schedule submissions are due March 15, 2021, which gives us at the college time to prepare for early registration beginning on or around March 24.
Our faculty colleagues are rising to a challenge encountered by all of us at the college: making preparations for the future while we’re faced with still so many unknowns. We are confident, however, that by starting this work early, we’ll be ready to meet the needs of our students this fall.
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Hostos Reopening Committee and Personnel Updates
The Hostos Reopening Committee met most recently on February 10. At that meeting, the committee received an update on our Phase 1 operations during the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters, with additional information about the work being done to plan for Fall 2021. The next committee meeting is scheduled for March 3, 2021.
Our CUNY Coronavirus Campus Liaisons—Diahann McFarlane, Director of Environmental Health and Safety—is currently on medical leave. Campus Liaison duties described in the Hostos Reopening Plan have been assumed by Christine Dias-Singh, Executive Director of Human Resources, in coordination with Chief Arnaldo Bernabe and Nurse Maria Vasquez. The College has also brought on an environmental health and safety consultant, Zack Korenstein, who will assist us with operational needs while Ms. McFarlane is on leave. Mr. Korenstein comes to us with over 18 years of experience in environmental health and safety management, including at New York University and Memorial Sloan Kettering.
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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 with Isabel Li
Hostos Middle States Self-Study Update: Hostos Academic Learning Center recreates academic support possibilities as part of institutional mission fulfillment
The Hostos Academic Learning Center (HALC) expands its open-door policy, capitalizing on new possibilities fostered by online learning environments. A creative schedule multiplies student possibilities to receive academic support during the day using remote online platforms. This HALC effort shows how our institution articulates student academic support processes in alignment with mission. The HALC door, now even more open in the online environment, “symbolizes the center’s mission transforming the impossible into possibility,” as Vargas Llosa pointed out, referring to the access to knowledge, literature, writing and reading in his Nobel Laureate acceptance speech (Vargas Llosa, 2010). The HALC, as this author denoted for literature in his Nobel Lecture, creates a fraternity within the diversity of academic backgrounds of our students which removes barriers.
In this regard, the solid assessment process developed by HALC over time documents students' need to create community during the remote learning scenario and how they returned to the HALC looking for it. According to data, in Fall 2020, 1450 sessions of tutoring were taken by 289 unduplicated students. The data also shows that students with higher G.P.A. are the ones that are requesting the tutoring service.
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The HALC Team consists of three full-time employees (Director, Coordinator and Secretary) and 2 part-time College Assistants. However, COVID-19 changed the job description of each member of the team, from desk job in the face-to-face environment to online customer service, mentor, problem solver and technical support. All members of the team became the virtual face of HALC. Students were able to see a face and talk to a live person, the same with the technical support. The result at the end was that a virtual community was created using Google Voice (to avoid the use of private phone numbers) and Microsoft TEAMS. In this virtual community, students felt safe to call and chat with any member of the HALC TEAM or just to wish a good day, even at off work hours. This relationship continues nowadays.
HALC Tutors are trained and reminded of the HALC Online procedure to be followed during a tutoring session at the beginning of the semester. During the semester, video chats with individual tutors are conducted according to students’ feedback. An aggressive email campaign during this pandemic time was and still is being conducted by HALC during the semester to remind students about the tutoring service. Students are also reminded of HALC’s motto/mantra: “Your Success is our Success.” The most outstanding findings were that the HALC team and the students were facing the same technological issues: lack of or slow wi-fi connectivity, devices not compatible to run the platform for tutoring, problems with video/audio and some physical/living space were not conducive to learning.
Overall, HALC efforts during this ongoing remote scenario speak to an effective support process that shows institutional commitment to student retention, persistence, and completion. The legacy of these HALC lessons, learned during the pandemic, enriches the accreditation self-study process as institutions imagine a return to physical campus. Will students have to commute one hour to campus and wait in the HALC for a 30-45-min academic consultation, or can a remote Microsoft TEAMSs/Zoom appointment solve an academic issue while reconciling other student life responsibilities? How will HALC strategies support student engagement in our new realities? A recent report from Inside Higher Education (McKenzie, 2021) indicates students want flexibility between instruction and support system modalities. While many conversations devolve in comparing different modality challenges and opportunities, the HALC assessment results show student satisfaction and engagement can be incorporated regardless of modality of instruction.
The self-study opens an opportunity to reflect on creative ways to support our students and develop their academic skills. Indeed, the post-pandemic landscape might represent an occasion to create General Education (Gen Ed) inquiry moments. In this regard, the HALC effort itself represents a Gen Ed moment in several dimensions. The Gen Ed conversation invites institutions to engage students in the big questions including discussing the multifactorial questions faced by humankind. HALC provides students with a variety of perspectives and analytical ability to confront and explore our realities while the center's efforts also represent a solution to the challenges that the pandemic brings to us today.
McKenzie L (2021) Bridging the Digital Divide: Lessons From COVID19. Inside Higher Education. Special Report. February 2nd, 2021.
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INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS |
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Submitted by Babette Audant, Assistant Dean for Institutional Effectiveness, Strategic Planning and Assessment
A (Re-)Introduction: Hostos’ Institutional Effectiveness Committee
Over the past eighteen months, Hostos has made a number of significant investments to strengthen the college’s institutional effectiveness infrastructure. By doing so, the college communicates the importance of, and its commitment to, systematic planning, resource allocation, and assessment processes. (An invitation to comment weekly about IE matters in El Semanario also communicates the integration of institutional effectiveness into the fabric of the college, its culture).
What do these “investments” mean in more concrete terms? On the assessment front, there are numerous examples including the appointment of Prof. Anders Stachelek as Director of Assessment. Also, the establishment of three entities to guide and support implementation of annual and periodic planning and assessment: the Academic Assessment Task Force (AATF); the General Education Assessment Task Force (GEATF); the Administrative and Educational Support Assessment Committee (AESAC).
In the past months, the AATF, GEATF and AESAC have helped define the scope of a fourth entity - the Institutional Effectiveness Committee (IEC). The IEC oversees and supports a systematic and comprehensive assessment of Hostos’ academic and AES units in fulfilling its mission and ensuring student success. Rather than focusing its efforts on the ground-level, sustained, faculty- and staff-driven work of systematic planning and assessment, the IEC – comprised of faculty and staff (see full list below), and co-chaired by Acting Provost Charles Drago and Asst. Dean Babette Audant – is interested in the meta-view, looking at the college’s systems as a whole.
The IEC was founded in February 2020, and, absent the AATF, GEATF and AESAC, and at the beginning of college-wide efforts to implement the Annual Planning and Assessment Report Template (APART), it was difficult to visualize where or what the meta-level was. This spring, the IEC has identified three priorities, or projects, to undertake:
- Develop and implement an Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO) assessment plan.
- Explore and propose a digital platform to support the annual planning and assessment process.
- Conduct assessment of assessment.
Over the coming weeks, more information will be shared about progress on these three IEC priorities. Each of these advances ongoing work across Hostos, and reflects a commitment that the work be informed by the existing expertise of faculty and staff. This work is also based on the idea that learning how to do the work of systematic planning and assessment be demystified, and that the learning be done collectively.
Institutional Effectiveness Committee Members:
Kate Wolfe
Romain Suinat
Anders Stachelek
Tanvir Prince
Daliz Perez-Cabezas
Dereck Norville-Bowie
Catherine Lewis
Albert Lai
Piotr Kocik
Evelyn Ketchum-Fernandez
Carlos Guevara
Carol Huie
Charles Drago (Co-Chair)
Babette Audant (Co-Chair)
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Submitted by Executive Counsel & Labor Designee Eugene Sohn Esq.
Questions concerning what is permissible with respect to the use of College facilities and online platforms by candidates in public office often arise during an election season, especially where student groups wish to invite one candidate or their representative to appear on campus.
The courts of New York State have recognized that partisan political activities are private, not public functions, and the use of public resources for such purpose is improper. Nevertheless, members of the University retain the right of all other citizens to free speech, including taking positions on public issues, and as individuals to support and vote candidates for public office.
While certain organizations such as the College are prohibited from using its financial resources, facilities or personnel in support of a particular candidate during an election campaign, a forum which provides fair and impartial treatment of candidates, and which does not promote or advance one candidate over another, is acceptable.
When a candidate for public office is invited to speak at a campus in connection with his or her candidacy for office, all other recognized candidates should be provided the same or comparable opportunity to speak. Therefore, it is Hostos Community College’s policy to provide equal access to all candidates running for public office. A candidate wishing to speak on campus or through the College on-line platform many contact Director Governmental and External Affairs Eric Radezky’s Office at 718-518-4342 or via email at eradezky@hostos.cuny.edu.
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GOVERNMENTAL AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS |
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A Message From The Director Of Governmental And External Affairs Eric Radezky, Ph.D
Vaccine Hotline
Congressman Adriano Espaillat Announces New COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline for Eligible District Residents 65 Years and Older.
The hotline, which is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, can be reached by dialing 646-838-0319, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Depending on call volumes, individuals may not reach someone immediately, but please call back if you are not successful in reaching a hotline specialist. Please also note that appointment availability is dependent on vaccine availability.
Eligible zip codes:
10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10032, 10033, 10034, 10035, 10037, 10039, 10040, 10451, 10452, 10453, 10454, 10455, 10456, 10459, 10460, 10461, 10462, 10463, 10464, 10465, 10472, 10473, and 10474
For assistance with appointments, constituents are encouraged to contact the offices of Congressman Espaillat at any of the following locations: Bronx office at 646-740-3632; Harlem office at 212-663-3900; Washington Heights office at 212-497-5959.
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NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS |
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Message from Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Charles I. Drago, D.H.Ed.
Reopening Conversations
The Office of Academic Affairs has conducted several meetings for the reopening plan for fall 2021. There have been two meetings with Chairs and Directors to hear and discuss concerns. Minutes and Power Points have been distributed to Chairs and Directors. They have been encouraged to share these conversations with faculty and staff. OAA also had several meetings in small groups with chairs and the campus COVID response team leaders to bring back and share faculty concerns.
Our next step is to have a third large group meeting at the end of March and for each department to bring questions. Every voice counts and let me be clear the safety of each person is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, there are unanswered questions. We are all waiting for directives from the Chancellor and Governor.
These are times of uncertainty, but we are Hostos strong and will get through this one day at a time. You may ask yourself, what’s next?
In conclusion, a special thank you to the Registrar’s Office, Senior Vice President Rodríguez-Chardavoyne and her staff, Student Development and Enrollment Management, and Office of Academic Affairs for working together to create a safe and welcoming environment for the fall 2021 semester.
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Faculty & Student Achievements Of The Week
OAA is proud to share some great news about undergraduate transfer scholarships and publications involving HEAT Scholars and Hostos Engineering students. HEAT is a nearly million-dollar grant led by Dr. Yoel Rodríguez, professor of natural sciences in the physical sciences unit. The HEAT grant involves faculty from across the disciplines including physics, mathematics and psychology and is showing results quickly after its inception in 2019.
OAA takes this opportunity to recognize HEAT Scholar Bielka Peña who has been awarded the Guttman Transfer Scholarship for High-Achieving Community College Graduates.
OAA also celebrates HEAT Scholar Oumou Traore has been selected as a semi-finalist for the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship 2021.
According to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website, 406 semifinalists were chosen from a pool of over 1500 applicants attending 398 community colleges in the U.S this year.
Additionally, OAA spotlights Professor Rodríguez’s mentorship of student scholars. He has worked with four Hostos engineering students (one of them HEAT Scholar Abdoul Aziz Nignan), who have conducted research that was sponsored by CUNY Research Scholarship Program (CRSP) and/or College Science Technology Engineering Program (CSTEP) during the 2018–2019 academic year. Rodríiguez led them through the process of documenting and sharing their research as co-authors of a peer-reviewed paper in collaboration with the "Instituto de Química Médica" (IQM-CSIC) in Madrid, Spain. Please see the publication reference below.
OAA is grateful to Dr. Rodríguez for going above and beyond by both working across the disciplines with faculty to secure and implement the HEAT grant, and for mentoring students engaged in scholarly research and publishing.
Pilar Cercós, Diego A. Peraza, Angela de Benito-Bueno, Paula G. Socuéllamos, Abdoul Aziz-Nignan, Dariel Arrechaga-Estévez, Escarle Beato, Emilio Peña-Acevedo, Armando Albert, Juan A. González-Vera, Yoel Rodríguez, Mercedes Martín-Martínez, Carmen Valenzuela and Marta Gutiérrez-Rodríguez. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(3), 1419; doi:10.3390/ijms22031419
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Educational Outreach and Student Vaccine Resistance
Submitted by Professor Gail August
Dept. of Language and Cognition
I believe that the COVID-19 pandemic and the development of a vaccine provides an important opportunity for our college to impart essential information about science and health. Education gives our students improved economic and social opportunities. Additionally, however, it can give them agency over their lives and their futures. Also, our students are often ambassadors to their families and associates, and the education they receive can make an important contribution to their communities.
I am advocating for the college to engage medical and health professionals to visit every class to answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. My experience at the college suggests that this is the only way to successfully communicate this important information. Students who manage to negotiate jobs, babies, families, classes, and technology challenges are unlikely to attend town halls or other public sources. Moreover, many have a traditional distrust of such communication venues.
To support my suggestion, I would like to share my current experience with students on this topic. Like many, I am aware of the relatively low rate of vaccination for many Black, brown, and immigrant communities, and am dismayed by the contrast with those in my own personal community, who are using every resource possible to obtain a vaccine.
A few weeks ago, to promote conversation, I asked students in my ESL class to answer a chat question, “Would you take the COVID-19 vaccine if it were available to you?” When I saw their answers, I followed up by asking the same chat question to my three other WI classes, which include a large number of graduating seniors. To my shock, the “No’s” were practically unanimous in all 4 classes, and many had explanation marks for emphasis. I received the same series of “No” answers when I asked about recommending the vaccine to their parents.
Shortly afterwards, I was lucky to engage a professional from Mount Sinai to address one of my classes. He spoke from his lab, wearing a mask, and respectfully answered the 50 very intelligent questions that appeared in the chat, giving precise scientific information, personal anecdotes about his family and colleagues, and pointed out where the science is still evolving in their understanding of the disease. The students received a great lesson in the history of science and vaccination, the development of scientific information, how scientists evaluate current information, and how scientists think and communicate.
From student responses (listed below—I still do not have them all), I can suggest why our Hostos students might be vaccine resistant and why this kind of intervention could be very successful with them.
Before these details, I would like to address the topic of medical distrust in certain communities because of historic injustices. No one can downplay the scope of these stories, nor the impact on those affected or the attitudes of their descendants. However, I would argue that they are not the major reason for vaccine resistance for the Hostos students I have encountered (though many are aware of these histories). Firstly, all of our students vaccinate their children. Secondly, they appear to trust doctors and the medical establishment when they or their families fall ill (Every instructor has examples where students return to classes with a hospital or doctor’s papers documenting a recent health event). Many chose to major in the health sciences. Finally, I have taught about bilingualism for years, and I have been able to observe students working to reconcile the past histories of their families with the new knowledge and choices of education, striving to construct an identity that comprises a personal multiculturalism that draws the best from different worlds.
I would suggest instead that our students are ill at ease with current information sources that seem to dismiss their fears, disregard their questions, or somehow make them feel uncomfortable or disrespected. For example, one student began by saying that she had a question she was embarrassed to ask. (It turned out to be a very important question.) Also, there are heavy financial interests in the anti-vax movement which may be perpetuating confusing information that targets communities who already feel under-respected and misunderstood.
This sample below of student responses can illustrate the effectiveness of such a personal presentation:
Presentation:
It was reassuring to be able to ask questions instead of hoping the news addresses your specific concerns.
I really appreciate you inviting Professor David to class and giving up precious class time for our questions around the virus and the vaccine to be answered.
It is so important to be able to talk to medical professionals that aren’t condescending and who take the time out to explain complicated concepts to the general public. I asked many questions during the session and I felt like all of them were answered.
I also really appreciated the other students who were more skeptical of the vaccine because they asked questions I wouldn’t have thought of but are important nonetheless. Also, I liked the examples that he was giving us to prove his point.
We had a really interesting and useful lecture about COVID-19 vaccination.
Professor spoke on easily understandable language so I have understood everything he was explaining to us.
Professor David was very informative. Professor David answered a few questions that I did not know I had.
This discussion was very informational. We have a basis of what the virus can do, but we don't all know the details of it, and I feel like this is helpful for those who don't. Sometimes I try not to think about the virus because it is a depressing topic.
Attitude:
After this lecture I will get a vaccine for myself for sure, but I want to give a first chance of getting it for older people and immune compromised people as they need it more than I do.
I learned many things in this discussion, and because of Prof. David I now feel comfortable getting the COVID vaccine.
I also learned that this vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the virus from spreading, and it's safer to get the vaccine then the virus, so it is in people's best interest to get this vaccine.
Before I was one of those people who was against getting the vaccine, but after this discussion, I feel it is necessary to get the vaccine.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do this vaccine, as I was sick with COVID-19 not that long ago. Professor explained that I still need to do a vaccine because it gives better immunity than just the antibodies after the sickness.
Information:
I asked him several questions; one was can the vaccine cause death? Prof. David said in rare cases, yes, but that's the risk with any vaccine, and the virus would cause that same effect or even worse. They wait up to 2 months before releasing the vaccine to check for any side effects that it can have.
When we talked about how the vaccine was made so rapidly, I was shocked to hear the Professor share that it is because a coronavirus pandemic was predicted to happen ten years ago.
Family Communication:
I shared the answers the Professor mentioned to my family members and friends who had similar questions to mine.
Science:
The discussion on COVID was very interesting and informative to say the least. COVID is the cause of this pandemic, and it's important to find out the most knowledge as possible about this highly infectious disease.
It reminded me of how we undervalue science as a country and ignore scientists in the hopes of gaining more short term gains. My biggest takeaway from Professor David visiting our class is the hope people, i.e. our government, will listen to scientists' warnings—warnings about climate change—before another half a million people needlessly die.
As a college that serves poor and marginalized communities, it is our mission and obligation to give students an education that will improve their understanding of the world and help them to make the best of their lives. Although the pandemic crisis is difficult and often tragic, it is also an opportunity for us to demonstrate how to investigate, learn, and apply analytic thinking to real-life challenges. Hostos is a college with prestigious health offerings. We should surely be able to bring in appropriate educational sources to engage and inform our students. Education provides freedom and opportunities for our students. Accessible, respectful education about COVID-19, presented by scientists and medical professionals, will help our students to make informed choices for themselves and their families.
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Educating for Change: Stories from the Bronx Kicks-Off 2021 Series
Co-Organized by Associate Professor Sarah Hoiland and
Marsha Milan-Bethel.
On Friday, February 26, 2021, 91 participants tuned in to Hostos' Educating for Change: Stories from the Bronx webinar featuring PBS' acclaimed "College Behind Bars" Director Lynn Novak, Bard Prison Initiative (BPI) alumnus Giovannie Hernandez, Professor Elys Vasquez-Iscan, FACES Program Manager Hondo Martinez, and AVP of the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy at The Fortune Society, Andre Ward.
A post-event survey with 54 respondents provided some valuable feedback. Other CUNYs, SUNYs, and community-based organizations accounted for 30% of survey respondents' institutional affiliations. Forty percent of respondents heard about the event from a faculty member, and 42% identified as students. One of the event's goals was to raise awareness of programs like BPI, and 57% of respondents were not familiar with it before the event and 81% indicated they heard something that challenged their perceptions or provided new insights. Respondents rated the event highly, with 85% giving it an "excellent" rating and 12% "very good.”
We want to thank Hostos for the tremendous support, particularly the faculty who attended and invited their students. We hope to see you on March 26 in collaboration with Hostos Women’s History Month.
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NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
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The History of Latin Music and Latin Jazz Part XIII
This spring seminar series is a tribute to the history of Latin music and jazz and the musicians and artists who helped create it from the 1930’s to the present. This free seminar series will highlight the diversity of the music pioneers and their impact on the history of Latin music and jazz. Learn about the musicians and artists like Graciela, known as the First Lady of Latin Jazz, Ceila Cruz, Olga Guiott, Gloria Estefan, Enrique Jorrin, Johnny Rodriquez, Julio Gutiérrez and many others that helped create and influence the music of this time.
Saturdays - 11 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
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NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
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The Hostos Community College Foundation's Virtual Third Annual Donor & Scholar Appreciation Event
On Wednesday, February 24, the Hostos Community College Foundation presented The Virtual Third Annual Donor & Scholar Appreciation Event. Interim President Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis and Acting Provost Charles Drago introduced the program, extending their gratitude to our generous donors and celebrating our dedicated students' heart and determination.
Hostos Community College Foundation Board Member and Chief Executive Officer and Founder of ATAX Franchise, Inc., Rafael Álvarez, spoke of how he personally relates to our students' journeys, as many of their experiences reflect his own. He shared that scholarships made opportunities possible for him. Now, as a Foundation Board Member and a donor, he works to provide those same opportunities to others. He urged our students to "Keep pushing; we really want you to achieve your dreams."
Unitex Chairman Michael Potack, who established the Judith Z. Potack and Dorothy Hausberg Scholarship at Hostos, shared why he invests in the students of Hostos and encouraged others to do the same. "It is the responsibility of those who can to create opportunities for all. I hope all who can will join me in helping to make the journey less difficult for those students who need the support. It will undoubtedly be one of the best investments you ever make."
Students and alumni related their personal stories of the transformational impact of scholarships in their lives and thanked all the donors who enable such opportunities at Hostos. Alumna Yudiris Rodríguez reflected that scholarships "Made me feel like I could make it. I am very proud of my accomplishments and what I have achieved, and I am proud to say that I am a Hostos graduate. Without these scholarships, I couldn't finish my education or have a place to live." Following the event's recorded portion, Hostos faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors participated in moving breakout room conversations. The Hostos Community College Foundation extends its profound thanks to all who attended and participated in this event.
If you could not attend but wish to support student success, please visit our website to make a gift.
You can still hear the inspiring testimonials of our students and donors by viewing the event here.
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Support the Hostos 20.21 Class Campaign and Student Success (Recurring Notice)
The Hostos 20.21 Class Campaign, culminating at the College’s Spring Commencement Ceremony in May 2021, invites you to celebrate our newest graduates while enabling student success. Gifts of $20.21 or more will make a significant and collective impact on our students, helping them to persist and earn their degrees. Hostos equips its students to create their own pathways and launch their futures – and now the next generation of Caimans is preparing to soon go forth and achieve their goals!
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OAA Unsung Hero of The Week
Professor Rhonda Johnson from the Hostos Library has played a critical role in helping the library maintain it’s responsibility of making library resources accessible to all members of the Hostos campus community. As Head of Access Services, Professor Johnson has formalized and implemented new strategies that make the library resources accessible during the pandemic. Among other services, Professor Johnson has led a coordinated effort to get faculty the help they need to transform hard copy learning materials into online, accessible, digital formats for use by students. Because of the pandemic, Professor Johnson has shifted protocols and processes, dramatically. She has worked diligently with the Chief Librarian Madeline Ford and in collaboration with the campus COVID response team led by Senior Vice President Rodriguez-Chardavoyne and CUNY Central to comply with Center for Disease Control, New York, CUNY and Hostos guidelines that prohibit normal access to the library in the interest of health and safety for all individuals. Professor Johnson’s professionalism and passion for this work is unwavering and she continues to lead near seamless access to the robust Hostos library resources that we all would normally enjoy in other ways. For her efforts to safeguard research, intellectual growth, and life-long learning for our campus community, the Office of Academic Affairs recognizes Professor Rhonda Johnson as the Unsung Hero of the Week.
SDEM Unsung Hero of The Week
Submitted by Student Leadership Coordinator
Jason Libfeld
A Rising Star — Salimatou Bah is a gifted student leader with the hope to take her knowledge and experience to the world stage, by ultimately serving in a diplomatic capacity at the United Nations and forming her own Non-Governmental Organization to combat violence against women and the process of FGM. Salimatou is currently studying Business Management and plans to transfer to Baruch College after graduation this spring. She is currently a member of the Hostos Student Government Association serving as a Senator and is a member of the Hostos Student Leadership Academy’s Ambassador Program. In the fall of 2019, she served on the SLA National Model United Nations Team that represented the United Arab Emirates in the simulation that took place in Washington, D.C. She has also volunteered her time as part of multiple activities, including the National Days of Service in honor of 9-11 and Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr.
CEWD Unsung Hero of The Week
Tajherel (Taj) Stewart — All You Need Is Determination
After relocating to The Bronx from Queens, Taj found employment at a group home working with people with mental disabilities. That’s where he heard about a free program that provides young adults with the training and skills they need to secure employment in the healthcare field. In August 2019, the Career Network: Healthcare (CNH) operated by Phipps Neighborhoods in partnership with Montefiore Health System and Hostos Community College provided Taj with 13 weeks of career exploration and experiential instruction and an internship in the Engineering Department at Montefiore. Upon completion of the CNH program, Taj decided to pursue a Patient Care Technician (PCT) Certification.
He started the PCT program in November of 2019 at the Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CEWD). By the end of February 2020, in just over three months, Taj completed the PCT program and received his National Health Career Association Certification, all while continuing to work full-time at that same group home. He was excited to start looking for employment in his new profession as a PCT.
Taj’s employment search was stalled by the COVID 19 Pandemic but he remained determined. Again, with the help of Phipps Neighborhoods (PN), Taj was back on
track. PN’s Career Coach submitted an application to 1199: The National Health Care Workers’ Union, on behalf of Taj. He was referred to a PCT position with Montefiore. His former internship supervisor with the Engineering Department at Montefiore gave him a glowing review! Taj landed the job and began his career as a PCT on December 15, 2020.
Taj’s determination already has him thinking about the future and how he can expand
on his healthcare career. He’s looking into the possibility of pursuing a Physician Assistant Certification which would mean enrolling in college.
"You may not know exactly where you are heading, but if you stay determined and follow your ambitions, you can get to where you want to be. Determination gets you to a lot of places!” —Tajherel Stewart
- Patient Care Technician, Montefiore Medical Center – Current Employee
- Hostos Patient Care Technician Certificate Program – February 2020
- PhippsNeighborhoods Career Network: Healthcare - November 2019
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Office of Educational Technology (Recurring Notice)
EdTech has developed a series of workshops which offer resources to help students familiarize themselves with Blackboard and other technologies used for online learning. To enroll for an instructor-led online workshops, click here.
Conflict Resolution
Office of Career Services | Friday, March 5 | 1-1:45 p.m.
This workshop will help you understand the root of conflict, communicate without causing defensiveness, de-escalate difficult situations, and resolve conflicts in work settings.
Becoming Jim Crow: A Long, Legal History
Office of the President | Tuesday, March 9 from 3-5 p.m.
This town hall will examine the long history of anti-black racism and its codification in the laws of the United States. Taking a visual journey through America's history, we'll explore the question, "Despite all of this, how do we continually survive and thrive?"
Center for Teaching a Learning | Wednesday, March 10 at 3:30 p.m.
The Hostos Reads: Books in Common, Books in Community project was created to promote a culture of reading, discussion, and community building through student, faculty, and staff engagement with a common reading.
Navigating Your Job Search through COVID-19 (Job Retention)
Office of Career Services | Wednesday, March 10 | 3:15-4 p.m.
Learn about the current trends in hiring, how the pandemic has impacted the job search and how to search for employment in today's job market.
Third Annual Women’s Resilience Conference
Center for Bronx Nonprofits | Friday, Mar. 12 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The Center for Bronx Nonprofit’s annual conference celebrates women and their place as leaders in their communities.
Reflecting on Our Remote Teaching Journey: One Year Later
Center for Teaching a Learning | Friday, March 12 at 12:30 p.m.
This session will invite our faculty to reflect on our experiences gathered from teaching remotely over the last year.
Hire me: A Guide To Cover Letters, Thank You Notes and the Reference List
Office of Career Services | Friday, March 12 | 1-1:45 p.m.
One of the most common forms of professional correspondence is the cover letter, which employers typically request with your resume when you apply for a position. This workshop provides guidance on writing a cover letter and introduces other important forms of correspondence.
Part I: Creative Work and Well-being
Center for Teaching a Learning | Tuesday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m.
This mindful conversation will focus on strategies from the creative arts that can foster personal and professional well-being.
Velada Hostosiana/Hostos Culture Talk: Preparing for the Real World
Office of the President and Alumni Relations | Wednesday, March 17 at 3:30 p.m.
Hostos welcomes alumna and Manager of Multicultural Affairs at The New York Yankees Lina Cruz for a one-on-one conversation with alumna and Hostos Development Manager Idelsa Méndez, Hostos’ Development Manager, on what it means to be part of the Bronx community and striving toward her dreams—from Hostos to The New York Yankees.
Hosted by: Felix Sánchez, Alumni Relations Manager
Writing Effective Resumes
Office of Career Services | Wednesday, March 17 |3:15-4:14 p.m.
This resume workshop provides detailed explanations, as well step-by-step processes, for creating an effective resume.
Virtual Career Fair
Office of Career Services | Friday, March 19 | 12-4 p.m.
Meet employers with internships and job opportunities. Connect individually or in a group live video chat.
Virtual/In-person Interviewing Skills: Salary Negotiations and Navigating Zoom
Office of Career Services | Friday, March 19 | 1-1:45 p.m.
Prepare for upcoming interviews both virtually and in person. Get tips on using Zoom and negotiate your salary!
Velada Hostosiana/Hostos Culture Talk: The Life and Times of Evelina Antonetty
Office of the President | Tuesday, March 23 event at 3:30 p.m.
Hostos' own beloved Dr. Nydia Edgecombe added a new chapter to the Bronx's history. Her doctoral dissertation honors the story of the late and great freedom fighter Evelina Lopez Antonetty. Join Interim President Daisy Cocco De Filippis in welcoming Hostos Alumni Relations Office and Circle of 100 Founder Dr. Nydia Edgecombe, Hostos Board Member and “Madrina” Elba Cabrera, Activist Anita Antonetty.
Navigating Virtual Office Politics
Office of Career Services | Wednesday, March 24 | 3:15-4 p.m.
Learn how to identify and manage office politics . Discover the skills and techniques needed to deal with certain behaviors and situations.
Part II: Creative Work and Well-being
Center for Teaching a Learning | Tuesday, March 24 at 3:30 p.m.
Learning healthy ways to cope with stress. Evidence based approaches to stress management and stress management education to help cope with stress will be presented and discussed.
LinkedIn 101
Office Of Career Services | Friday, March 26 | 1-1:45 p.m.
Learn how to navigate Linkedin for your Job Search.
Educating for Change: Womens’ Stories (Part II of IV)
Friday, March 26 at 7 p.m. (entry at 6:45 p.m.)
30-min watch of PBS "College Behind Bars" episode followed by a 60-minute panel
Panelists: Film Producer Salimah El-Amin; Bard Prison Initiative alumna Shawnta Montgomery; Hostos Professor Sandy Figueroa; SUNY Purchase Professor Ragnhild Utheim; Director of Programs College & Community Fellowship Maria Santangelo. Moderated by Marsha Milan-Bethel
Queering the Curriculum CTL Workshop
Tuesday, April 13 - 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Queering The Curriculum: How to Integrate LGBTQ Information Into Coursework
This panel and workshop addresses practical concerns, and offers opportunities to share techniques for including LGBTQ information into coursework in classes that are not LGBTQ+ specific. From integrating diverse texts, to navigating gender bias in math problems, to guides for finding LGBTQ+ information for research projects and more.
We Too Sing America: From Experimentation to Participation
Office of the President | Wednesday, Apr. 14 from 3-5 p.m.
This town hall is focused on a most timely and critical issue— race, medicine, and healthcare in the United States. Detailing the country's long and reprehensible history of medical experimentation on Black Americans, we'll discuss the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and what it means for historically marginalized communities.
Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremony
Office of the President | Friday, May 28 at 2:00 p.m
Livestreamed on YouTube
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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.
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For inclusion in the Hostos Weekly, please send your items to:
Look for the Hostos Weekly each Friday.
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