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Anticipation is high at Hostos Community College as students finish up their final exams and look to the future. Whether they will be crossing the stage at commencement or registering for the Fall semester, our goal at the Hostos Community College Foundation is to help students stay focused on what comes next by easing financial barriers and providing uplifting campus services. With your help, students have access to scholarships, a food pantry, peer mentorship and so much more.
We hope you had a chance to join us at one of the outstanding academic convenings, performances, and community events that happened this semester. If you have not, you are missing out on world-class performances at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, thought provoking conversations, and impressive student and faculty research presentations. Your support of the Hostos Community College Foundation helps make it all possible, and we are so grateful to you for being a part of our great academic year.
It has been a busy semester, so read on to learn about recent and upcoming Foundation events.
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2025 Scholarship Benefit
Raises $360,000 and Celebrates Hostos
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South Bronx pride radiated on Thursday, May 1 from the Hostos Community College Foundation’s 2025 Scholarship Benefit where the spirit of perseverance, community, and joy was as strong and vibrant as it was 57 years ago when the College opened its doors. Two-hundred fifty friends of the College reveled in the pleasant spring evening at the stunning Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, and the event raised a staggering $360,000 in support of scholarships.
Thank you to everyone who made the night so memorable, including our fabulous Mistress of Ceremonies, Genesis Suero ’20, the talented Suliman Tekalli, our inspiring student speaker Franyeli Contreras, and DJ Ralphie Mercado. Congratulations, once again, to our honorees:
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This event, like all those hosted by the Hostos Community College Foundation, furthers Hostos’ mission to provide access to higher education to all who seek it by funding scholarships to help remove financial barriers that would otherwise prevent some students from pursuing higher education. If you were unable to attend the Benefit but would like to support the College’s educational mission, please visit www.GivetoHostos.com.
Thank you to the generous sponsors whose support creates so many opportunities for Hostos students. See the full list at the end of this newsletter.
| | Institutional Advancement Helps the College Celebrate Women’s History Month with Two Engaging Events | | |
The Division hosted two events to celebrate Women’s History Month in March. Both well-attended events invited women in leadership positions to share career their insights and challenges. Hostos students joined structured networking opportunities to seek mentorship and expand their career horizons. Each event featured a Hostos alumna. Saudy Tejada ’04 joined the Women in Philanthropy panel to share her experience in a range of nonprofit roles, and Kelly Snider ’16 spoke at the Women’s Empowerment Brunch about creating spaces for Black and Hispanic young people.
These events were sponsored by the generous support of Ms. MacKenzie Scott's Gift: President's Initiatives. The Division of Institutional Advancement would like to thank our panelists, guest speakers, and the faculty, staff, and students who attended these inspiring and informative events.
| | Women’s Empowerment Brunch Gathers Women Leaders to Ask, “What’s Your Legacy?” |
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On March 27, the Women’s Empowerment Brunch featured remarkable women leaders from diverse industries, including business, government, education, and healthcare. The panelists reflected on the world they strive to build for future generations and shared strategies for uplifting other women to achieve a more equitable society. Attendees, including students, faculty, and community members, were encouraged to connect with these leaders to foster mentorship opportunities and inspire future changemakers.
The event celebrated the accomplishments of inspiring women leaders and reinforced the importance of fostering supportive networks to empower the next generation of trailblazers.
See all the speakers and read the full recap here.
| | Women in Philanthropy Panel Invites Foundation Partners and Nonprofit Leaders to Share Insight and Expertise with Students | |
On Tuesday March 4, the Women in Philanthropy Career Exploration Panel and Vision Planning Workshop convened leaders from international nonprofits and several of Hostos’ philanthropic partners. Panelists shared about how their work provides personal and career fulfillment. Then in small group breakout sessions, students practiced interview preparation, considered how their academic planning could propel their careers, and learned more about what it takes to build a nonprofit from the ground up. Thank you to our partners at The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, Gerstner Philanthropies, The Howard Gilman Foundation, and Libra Philanthropies, and our friends from The Felix Organization and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital for their participation! Read the recap and view pictures from the event here.
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Two New Foundation Board Members | | In February, the Hostos Community College Foundation Board appointed two new members: | | |
Mohammad Baig
Vice President and Regional General Manager, Greater Northeast at Trane.
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Benny Lorenzo,
Managing Partner at Aspira Capital Management.
| | The Board is pleased to welcome these two local leaders, who have demonstrated their support for Hostos students through scholarship support, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities. | | CUNY Leader Celebrates Her Hostos Roots by Creating an Endowment | | |
On March 24, the CUNY Board of Trustees approved the resolution to name the Dolly Martínez Equity and Empowerment Endowed Scholarship at Hostos Community College. Though she has worked at CUNY’s Central Office since 2019, Chancellor’s Chief of Staff and Associate Vice Chancellor for the Executive Office Dolly Martínez showed her enduring love and compassion for Hostos students with a generous gift, which will support students in perpetuity. Thank you, Dolly, for your enduring efforts to uplift Hostos students.
| | Development Officer Idelsa Méndez Receives Award for Uplifting Community Work | On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Idelsa Méndez, the dedicated Development Officer at Hostos Community College and proud alumna, received a prestigious recognition at the "Duarte Honors: Reconociendo Los Nuestros." Named after the founder of the Dominican Republic, Juan Pablo Duárte, who led the fight for the country’s independence, the award is presented by the Dominican American Network of Young Professionals (DANYP), a Hands On New York, Inc. initiative. This much-anticipated annual event commemorates Dominican heritage and celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of Dominican professionals in their respective fields and communities. Read full story here. | | Since our December 2024 newsletter, the following grants have been awarded to the College: |
- $200,000 over two years from the Ichigo Foundation to support the Gateway to Year 2 First Year Experience Mentoring Expansion.
- $200,000 over three years from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation in support of Petrie Student Emergency Grants.
- $300,000 over two years from Gerstner Philanthropies in support of the Gerster Helping Hands Emergency Grant Program at Hostos.
- $10,000 from TIAA and FirstGen Forward in support of building digital resources for the Office of Transfer Services.
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Thank you to our generous granting partners for their support of these critical programs.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR UPCOMING EVENTS | | |
For more information please contact
Development Officer Idelsa Méndez
718-518-4341 | imendez@hostos.cuny.edu
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THE HOSTOS CENTER FOR THE ARTS & CULTURE NEWS | | The HCAC Curates Exceptional Spring Season | | The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture once again demonstrated its prominence as a national leader in Latin arts, presenting a packed spring season showcasing international and local talents. This season featured the multi-media Roots and Rebirth: Dominican Women in Art, an electric ¡Bachatarengue Dominicano! concert, and Argentine and Ecuadorian folk performances. There are still a few spectacular shows left, so get tickets today! | | |
Friday | May 30 | 7:00 p.m.
Experience the magic of chamber music at Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture! As the Bronx home for the 2024-25 Diamonstein-Spielvogel Initiative, this FREE series brings world-class performances by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Enjoy Beethoven, Brahms, and Elgar in an evening of reflection and nostalgia with outstanding musicians.
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Saturday | May 31 | 8:00 p.m.
Los Rivera Destino blends bohemia, satire, and wit with bolero and rock rhythms for a fun, musical experience. Their fame soared with a 2018 hit version of Bad Bunny's "Te boté" and their "Tiny Desk" appearance in 2022. Don't miss this night of music and mischief!
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Saturday | June 28 | 8:00 p.m.
Honor 100th years of Son Cubano, the heartbeat of Latin music! This electrifying concert features Grammy-winning Cuban singer Albita, salsa legends Willie & Nelson of Los Hermanos Moreno, and Nodal y Los Soneros de Oriente. With Tony's Rumba All-Stars opening the night, get ready for an unforgettable celebration of rhythm and tradition.
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Hostos Alumni Relations + SONYMA Host the 2025 Housing Conference | | On Saturday, April 26, Hostos opened its doors to the South Bronx community for the 2025 Housing Conference. Attendees gained valuable insights into rent-stabilized housing, learned about resources for first-time home buyers, and received guidance on evaluating the pros and cons of homeownership. Thank you to the event coordinators, the City University of New York, Hostos Office of Alumni Relations, and SONYMA; and to our sponsors, LoanDepot, Provident Bank, Kettisha Walker Realty, and Citizens Bank. | | From Hostos to the Bench: Judge Sarjo Barrow Shares Insight and Encouragement with Hostos Students | | |
On Thursday, April 3, the Hostos Community College community had the privilege of welcoming Immigration Judge Sarjo Barrow for a special event that celebrated his inspiring journey from student to federal judge. Originally from The Gambia, Judge Barrow began his higher education at Hostos Community College before advancing to a distinguished legal career, culminating in his appointment as an immigration judge by the United States Department of Justice in 2024.
During the event, Judge Barrow shared his personal story, reflecting on the pivotal moments that shaped his path and the importance of education in overcoming barriers. Attendees were inspired by Judge Barrow’s resilience, determination, and commitment to justice, marking a memorable occasion for all. This engaging conversation was a collaboration between Hostos’ Office of Alumni Relations and the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department made possible through the generous support of Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives. Read more about the event here.
| | Alumni Relations Co-hosts Liberal Arts Career Talk Panel | | |
On March 13, the Hostos Community College Office of Alumni Relations, in collaboration with the First Year Seminar & Capstone Unit, hosted an inspiring Liberal Arts A.A. Career Talk Panel.
Hostos alumni panelists included Lissette Jourdain-Torres (‘03), Pablo Carela (‘20) and Stephanie Oliveira De Araújo (‘24). Their insights, experiences, and career journeys resonated deeply with our Liberal Arts A.A. students, providing guidance, motivation, and real-world perspectives on life after Hostos.
Events like these showcase how transformative Hostos alumni are when they give back, inspire, and empower the next generation of students as they continue their academic and professional journeys. Thank you to all who made this panel a success: Prof. Linda Hirsch, Dean Andrea Fabrizio, Dr. Yanna He and Ms. Shaneka Crossman for collaborating to provide funding for the event's refreshments!
| | Alumni Brothers Publish a Children’s Book | | |
On Thursday, February 27, Carlos, Elias, Esteban, and Josue Advincola—fondly referred to as the Advincola brothers—returned to their alma mater to present their newly published children’s book, “Lucy la Chihuahua arrives to Nueva York.” In a panel moderated by Alumni Relations Manager Felix Sanchez ’02 and alumna Tameka Ridley ’19, the brothers shared about their writing process and how their late mother’s experiences as an immigrant helped shape the story of "Lucy la Chihuahua."
Each brother brings a unique talent to their family enterprise—Josue is the writer, Carlos illustrates, Esteban, Carlos, and Josue work together on multi-media platforms for their storytelling, and Elias manages the business. Above all, this event highlighted the strength we can derive from our family, and that with strong connections, even a tragic loss can create something beautiful and joyful. Thank you to the Advincola brothers for always sharing their success with Hostos, to Tameka Ridley for sharing her love of literature, and to the faculty, staff, and students who attended for their excellent questions and engagement.
Purchase a copy of "Lucy la Chihuahua Arrives in Nueva York" here and check out their promotional video here. In addition to Lucy, the brothers have several more projects in production. You can keep up with their work by following the Advincola Network on YouTube and Instagram.
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The Héctor Díaz Memorial Scholarship | |
The Honorable Héctor L. Díaz Scholarship at Hostos Community College provides crucial financial support to students who may not qualify for traditional financial aid. Established through the generosity of Acacia Network, Inc. and championed by Mr. Raúl Russi, the scholarship honors the legacy of public service and community advocacy embodied by the Honorable Héctor L. Díaz.
Since its inception in 2018, the fund has awarded more than $120,000 in scholarships to 63 students, enabling them to continue their education and work toward impactful careers.
A 2024 recipient, Frederick, shared:
“I waited until my son was in high school to pursue my goals and gave him the motivation to follow suit. My son needs to know anything is possible. I want him to observe me executing and completing the goals I initiated.
I know I have the right tools to be an exceptional nurse and a leader in the community. This scholarship will help to alleviate stress and allow me to continue my dreams. I am most appreciative of this scholarship.”
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Thank You to our Sponsors | | | | |
