A banner with the Hostos Logo and the following message:
El Semanario Hostosiano/ The Hostos Weekly. A Campus-Wide Weekly Bulleting from the Interim President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
Friday, March 19, 2021 | Vol. 2 No. 9, Spring 2021 Semester 
MESSAGE FROM INTERIM PRESIDENT DAISY COCCO DE FILIPPIS
My Dear Colleagues and Students,

As I write these words, so much that is encouraging is taking place. The news about proposed availability of vaccines and the Relief Bill signed last Friday, augur well for hope and optimism as we move forward this year.

I would like to share with you the creation of the Hostos Committee on Sponsored Programs and Grants (CSPG). I am grateful to Professor Yoel Rodríguez for agreeing to co-Chair the committee with me and for all of our colleagues who have agreed to serve and who have recommended the membership of CSPG. Professor Rodríguez’ input as we drafted the charge of the Committee was invaluable. 

The mission of the Committee on Sponsored Programs and Grants is to foster an institutional sustained grant culture by creating the right environment to encourage everyone to apply for grants and help them to excel. If our faculty and staff members shine, our students benefit, and as a result our institution and CUNY will benefit and succeed as well.

The membership of the CSPG is as follows:
Co-Chairs: Interim President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
                  Professor Yoel Rodríguez, Natural Sciences Department
1 representative from the College-wide P&B -Professor Andrea Fabrizio
1 representative recommended by the Chair of the College-wide Senate- Professor Thomas Beachdel
1 representative recommended by the OIERA - Assistant Dean Babette Audant
1 representative from CEWD- Director Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham
Charles I. Drago, Acting Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne, Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance and Interim Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management
Professor Antonios Varelas, HRPP Coordinator
Diana Kreymer, Assistant to the President and Director of the President’s Office
Susan Pinamonti, Acting Dean of Institutional Advancement
Johanna Gómez, Assistant Dean of Students
Idelsa Mendez, Development Manager
Kelba Sosa, Director of Grants and Research Administration

The inaugural meeting of the CSPG is scheduled for March 25, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. We will be providing updates as we move forward with a number of pertinent activities in support of a grants writing culture at our College.

This past week many of us attended and participated in a timely and important Town Hall on our progress in preparing our facilities for a gradual and safe reopening of the college in the Fall 2021 semester. A special thank you to our own nursing alumnus, Luis Caraballo who brought remarks on behalf of our nursing students and who continues to support a safe campus by conducting health screenings at the lobby entrances, Senior Vice President Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne, Frank Virone, Zach Korenstein, Diana Kreymer, and Pearl Shavzin for their dedication and hard work. If you were not able to join us, please see the event on our Youtube page here.

Congratulations to our recently inaugurated SGA Leaders:
Brian Carter, President
Ibrahim Mohammed, VP Student Affairs
Charles Dour, VP Academic Affairs
Hatem Anaam, Treasurer
Amdiya Kyemtore, Executive Secretary
Monsita Colón, Campus Affairs Commissioner
Mohamed Nashir, Evening and Part-Time Student Affairs Commissioner
Isabel Neira Sánchez, Senate Secretary
Abdul Abubakar, Senator
Susan Cortés Senator
Salimatou Bah, Senator
Raymond Flowers, Senator
Junior Carela, Senator
Malik Pellington, Senator
Abdulrazak Saadu, Senator
Bouampoundi Thiombiano, Senator

I thank you for your willingness to serve, for your dedication to your classmates and Hostos students and for your commitment to your studies, in preparation for your continued service to our communities.

Mil gracias y bendiciones, Daisy
 
Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.
Interim President
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, CUNY
A POEM TO CELEBRATE IRISH CULTURE:
The Railway Children
By Seamus Heany

When we climbed the slopes of the cutting
We were eye-level with the white cups
Of the telegraph poles and the sizzling wires.

Like lovely freehand they curved for miles
East and miles west beyond us, sagging
Under their burden of swallows.

We were small and thought we knew nothing
Worth knowing. We thought words travelled the wires
In the shiny pouches of raindrops,

Each one seeded full with the light
Of the sky, the gleam of the lines, and ourselves
So infinitesimally scaled

We could stream through the eye of a needle.

Seamus Heaney is widely recognized as one of the major poets of the 20th century. A native of Northern Ireland, Heaney was raised in County Derry, and later lived for many years in Dublin. He was the author of over 20 volumes of poetry and criticism, and edited several widely used anthologies. He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1995 "for works of lyrical beauty and ethical depth, which exalt everyday miracles and the living past." Heaney taught at Harvard University (1985-2006) and served as the Oxford Professor of Poetry (1989-1994). He died in 2013. Poetry Foundation
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION BRIAN CARTER
To my fellow students at Hostos Community College, I hope this semester is going well as far as you have envisioned under the current circumstances. We have been resilient and have raised overall awareness during this pandemic to keep pushing through and maintaining a positive impact during this process. 
I look forward to seeing you in our next workshop, Candid Conversations Part 4, where we will host a conversation with 3 guest panelists exploring the evolution of the role of women, intergenerational and Intercultural issues and the DACA experience in the Latin Community on Tuesday, March 23 at 3 p.m. Register for the event here: https://hostos-cuny-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lc-CurjIoG9z4TABZYg1lLKGx41COgtrm

We also have a series of workshops titled “Making Money Moves,” where we will encourage financial literacy and give valuable information on how to make the best of an investment and teach students the basics of maintaining wealth and acquiring assets that can lead to business opportunities that will allow you to thrive in life going forward. Students, we will continue to encourage each other to achieve academic excellence through constant motivation and discipline through these challenging times. 

Students, take advantage of the best tool we have, which is our mind, of course, as well as your Hostos email, which entails valuable information and updates on school activities, including how to utilize your FAFSA, which you must fill out to continue your education at Hostos and in CUNY, which will help you maintain many financial obligations going forward. Encourage your peers to attend future workshops featuring Financial Aid seminars to help you fill out your FAFSA.

As we approach the midpoint of our semester, we advise students to stay engaged and encourage you to take part in our Student Leadership workshop series, featuring Jason Libfeld with a cast of special guests, taking place Fridays at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for students to become inspired by former students and motivational speakers, giving you that edge in life that we must continue to acquire throughout our life experiences. 

In addition, feel free to reach out to the SGA at any point, as we are here to provide opportunities and continue to encourage our students to take advantage of all that Hostos has to offer. In closing, I encourage students to do their absolute best during these unforeseen circumstances. I am currently working on a resolution to the Credit/No Credit Option that may give a student the opportunity to advance academically if they feel they may have been academically challenged during this rather unusual semester. Until I achieve this accomplishment, continue to be encouraged to achieve and strive for academic excellence at Hostos Community College.
CORONAVIRUS CAMPUS COORDINATOR UPDATE
A message of thanks from the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator, 
Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne, Senior Vice President of Administration and
Finance and Interim Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management
 
It has been one year since the College moved to distance learning. As we note this anniversary and prepare for Fall 2021, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge all our colleagues who continued to report to work on campus throughout this time.
 
Specifically, I extend my deepest thanks to the staff in the following areas:
 
  • Public Safety, whose officers serve the few of us working on-site and assist with the health screening process;
  • Campus Operations staff, including Custodial staff, the Laborers, Maintenance and Engineering, and Environmental Health and Safety for all that they have done to make our campus environment safe;
  • Health and Wellness, including the School Nurse and the student nurses handling health screenings since July;
  • Information Technology, which continues to ensure that students, faculty, and staff have devices and technological support for distance education and remote work; and
  • The Conference Center, which has assisted Campus Operations by placing much of our signage.
 
Over the past year, the hard work and dedication of staff in these units (and other areas) have made it possible for all of us at the College to continue serving our students, whether remote or on-site.

We will continue to do what is needed to best serve the needs of our entire college community—students, faculty, staff, and eventually visitors—and remain committed to a return to our campus in a slow, safe, and responsible manner.
MIDDLE STATES SELF-STUDY UPDATE
Submitted by MSCHE Steering Committee Co-Chairs Professor Kate S. Wolfe and Professor Nuñez-Rodríguez with Middle States Working Group 6 Co-Chairs Professor Vyacheslav Dushenkov and AVP/CIO Varun Sehgal

Middle States Update on Standard VI: Planning, Resources and Institutional Improvement
 
The scope of this Standard is to ensure that the college sufficiently demonstrates good practices in planning, resource allocation and continuous institutional improvement in order to fulfill our mission. It also involves compliance reporting such as external audits. These Middle States Standard expectations can be found at: https://www.msche.org/standards/#standard_6. At Hostos, the working group for this standard has been co-chaired by Professor Vyacheslav Dushenkov and Asst. Vice President/CIO Varun Sehgal, and comprised of a broad, diverse and well experienced group of members listed below:

Albert Lai, Finance Manager, Business Office
Fabian Wander, Director, Health & Wellness
Fanny Dumancela, Director, Alumna, Budget Office
Karina Castro, Honors Program and USIP Specialist, OAA
Lillian Morales, Exec. Associate to the VP, SDEM
Louis Bury, Asst. Professor, English Department
Marsha Milan Bethel, Student Services Specialist, Senator, SDEM
Mustafa Ahmed, Student
Safiya Faustin, Sr. Success Coach, Student Success Coaching Unit
Susan Pinamonti, Acting Dean, Institutional Advancement

The Standard VI Working Group collected substantial evidence to establish that Hostos demonstrates and practices a culture of data-driven decision making and assessing outcomes which are linked to the mission, strategic priorities, and CUNY system expectations. The provided evidence demonstrates compliance with Standard VI and its 9 criteria including institution requirements to remain affiliated to Middle States. As the self-study is also an opportunity for improvement and aspirations, the assessment developed by the group members also provided suggestions on how Hostos can address existing gaps and strengthen college-wide or university-wide efforts related to the standard and its criteria, as well as opportunities for improvement in communications, space utilization and resource allocation.

Updates to recommendations from the 2017 Periodic Review Report were also identified and documented. The institution recognizes a value in the self-study process itself. In doing so, the working group members recommended ideas to sustain a culture of evidence-based decision driven by an alignment between college mission, assessment and resources allocation derived from evaluation results. In this regard, Middle States will also examine our muscle to effectively respond to challenges and opportunities. The maturity shown by the institution allocating resources and preserving academic continuity and integrity during current remote learning scenarios represents evidence of mission fulfillment despite the sudden turbulence brought to us by the pandemic.
INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
Submitted by Babette Audant, Assistant Dean for Institutional Effectiveness, Strategic Planning and Assessment  

Submitted by AJ Stachelek, Director of Assessment for Institutional Effectiveness, Strategic Planning and Assessment | Academic Assessment – Annual Planning and Assessment Reporting Template (APART)
In last week’s El Semanario, Asst. Dean Babette Audant highlighted the history of the Annual Planning and Assessment Report Template (APART) from Fall 2019 to the present. In particular, on the academic side, the end-of-year departmental report strongly informed the new APART that was designed to provide clarity and consistency across both academic departments and AES units. Furthermore, she mentioned the role of the Academic Assessment Task Force (AATF) in supporting academic departments in this work, whether through workshops, one-on-one meetings, and/or presentations about APART. The goal of this week’s contribution is taking a deeper look at the APART process from the faculty perspective, and relating the annual process to departmental activities and learning outcomes.
 
The APART is comprised of three sections. In the first section, each department lists activities, their respective results, and the proposed actions based on these results for six goals that span all academic departments.
 
The six departmental goals are as follows:

  1. Faculty will maintain a desired quality of teaching, research, and service as outlined by the departmental guidelines for reappointment, tenure, and promotion.
  2. Curricula will support a desired level of student learning.
  3. Students will progress through their degree program within the desired timeframe, as outlined in the 2017-2022 Strategic Plan.
  4. Culture will support a sense of belonging for students, staff, and faculty.
  5. Space, facilities, and infrastructure will support teaching and research.
  6. The department will continue to refine and improve through self-reflection.
 
In the APART, departments have space to share details about their efforts towards achievement of activities throughout the academic year; their subsequent results document accomplishments across each goal. The departments will also have the opportunity to use these results to determine the appropriate activities they will engage in the subsequent year (next steps/closing the loop) and the resources and support they need to enable future success of such activities (Section 3).
 
The APART also has a section (Section 2) for reporting out the assessment of program learning outcomes (PLOs) undertaken annually by each degree program that is part of the respective department.
 
In its entirety, the APART provides an excellent opportunity to enable departments to be self-reflective, track activities and their outcomes, demonstrate how one year’s results inform next year’s planning, and document assessment efforts and learnings. Critically, the APART serves as a framework for conversations among faculty within an individual department, and provides the Provost and department chairs with a foundation for annual conversations about accomplishments, opportunities, and resource allocation for the coming academic year.
POLICY OF THE WEEK 
Update by Executive Counsel & Labor Designee Eugene Sohn Esq.
 
Zoom Security Protocol
The following Zoom security protocols/practices are required for campuses, programs, academic departments, offices, faculty or staff that use Zoom for CUNY-related activities. Access the downloadable pdf here.

Hostos also offers guidance on Zoom Security Protocols, visit the Staying Safe Online page to learn more.
DIVERSITY AND COMPLIANCE
Submitted by Chief Diversity Officer Lauren Gretina, Esq. 

The Office of Compliance and Diversity (OCD) wants to thank all the students who participated in the recent Equal Opportunity and Sexual Harassment Trainings. We learned a lot from you and we hope the training and conversation was informative and engaging. OCD would also like to congratulate the Custodial Staff on completing their Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Sexual Harassment Training. We are looking forward to upcoming training sessions with SDEM staff and Facilities in the coming weeks.
 
As a reminder, OCD is here to answer your questions and provide you with information, resources, and options regarding discrimination and harassment. The College is committed to responding to incidents of bias, sexual misconduct, harassment and discrimination and preventing such incidents through education and training. OCD trainings help students and employees understand CUNY’s policy on equal opportunity and non-discrimination, and its policy on sexual misconduct (amended in August 2020). Additional training topics include but are not limited to: managers’ responsibilities and the scope of inappropriate behaviors under these policies; understanding what constitutes discrimination (including sexual harassment/misconduct); rights and responsibilities as a student and/or employee; the investigation process; the role of responsible/confidential employees; and cultural sensitivity, anti-discrimination, and inclusive language. 
 
For more information about the training sessions or if you have any questions about training and prevention please contact us at OCD@hostos.cuny.edu. If you would like to file a discrimination complaint with our office please complete the form below.
 
 
Completion of this form will initiate a complaint with OCD, which is the internal unit charged with investigating allegations of discrimination and sexual misconduct at the College in accordance with the CUNY Policy on Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy and the CUNY Sexual Misconduct Policy. Information is shared with additional parties on a need-to-know basis depending on the specific facts of the investigation.
NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Academic Program of the Week

Allied Health Sciences Department Chairperson: Joyce Dias, Professor of Dental Hygiene. Radiologic Technology Unit: Jarek Stelmark, Assistant Professor of Radiologic Technology

By: Professor Stelmark
 
It is with great pride and pleasure that I write to you with the results of our most recent national certification examination. During the past academic year of 2020, twenty-seven Hostos graduates sat for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certifying examination. Twenty-six students passed the examination on the first attempt (96%) with an average score of 85%. This is a remarkable achievement attesting to the dedication and commitment of both our students and faculty. This accomplishment also reinforces what has been known in the profession for many years; Hostos Community College is a College of Excellence and has the premiere radiology program in the City of New York.
 
I would like to take this opportunity to praise the efforts of our faculty and staff: Professor Rayola Chelladurai, Professor Manuel Livingston, Professor Sanjay Arya, Mrs. Elizabeth Vargas, and Ms. Gifty Adjei. I would also like to thank our clinical staff: Mr. Sesar Alicea, Mr. Timothy Tambe, Mr. Randy Rampersaud, Mr. Yohannan Baby, Ms. Mayra Soler, Mr. Sucre Del Rio, Mr. Eric Gallo, Ms. Yolanda Rodríguez, Ms. Frances Dietz, Mr. Mike Cangro, and Ms. Jessica Guzman.
 
The success of our graduates would not be possible without the support and dedication of these individuals and the many staff technologists at our clinical affiliates. I know you join the faculty in congratulating our students as they begin their new careers as Radiologic Technologists.
Faculty and Staff Achievements of the week
 
Professor Jacqueline DiSanto and Mr. Carlos Guevara awarded a $ 25,000 grant through CUNY’s partnership with the Robin Hood Foundation. Revise EDU 226—Introduction to Instructional Technology to focus on pre-service teacher preparation.
 
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) commissioned a working group to investigate educational technology and its role in Kindergarten through grade 12 instruction. This expansive project, “Computational Thinking (CT) for Educators,” identified best practices, required components, and standards, which also addressed the critical need for educational professionals, across all grade levels and positions, to know how to select and use educational technology as effective teaching tools. Teachers and paraprofessionals spanning the wide age, developmental, and grade levels are expected to incorporate resources and activities that facilitate the development of digital-literacy and computational-thinking skills into the daily academic lives of their students. 
 
CUNY is addressing this need through a partnership with the International Society for Technology in Education and a grant funded by the Robin Hood Foundation. According to Aankit Patel, director of STEM Education Programs at CUNY Central, this project, “Computational Thinking (CT) for Educators,” aims to infuse computational thinking knowledge and approaches into pre-service teacher preparation for both undergraduate and graduate candidates who are pursuing initial certification in Early Childhood (birth-grade 2) or Childhood Education (grades 1-6) in New York State. A diverse subset of Pre-K-5 teacher candidates will develop computational thinking competencies to integrate CT across all disciplines. This effort aims to support learners as they become computational thinkers who can innovate and solve problems.”
 
Hunter and Queens Colleges offer equivalent courses to NYSED’s Educational Technology Specialist Certification, which can be a career option for our students. Within the Hostos Early Childhood Education (ECE) degree program, EDU 226 would be taken as an elective for students in ECE and possibly for students taking the Math Education concentration. This revised course contains four break-away modules that can be used in the nine required EDU courses, thereby giving all students in this major exposure to these topics. It will also be an option for teachers and paraprofessionals in our community and for students participating in programs offered by Continuing Education & Workforce Development.
 
If the change is passed through governance, EDU 226 will be an overview of the issues and best practices for teaching digital fluency and digital technologies in an educational setting. In addition to utilizing technology, students are now required to learn about digital literacy, universal design of learning, and computational thinking. This course will equip educational professionals with a wide range of resources, models, methods, and techniques for integrating these topics and skills into their classrooms through evidence-based pedagogy to facilitate the development of all students.
 
To read more about the NYS Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards, visit: http://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/computer-science-and-digital-fluency-learning-standards
 
Education Department Chairperson: Jacqueline DiSanto, Professor of Early Childhood Education Community Health Unit Coordinator: Elys Vásquez-Iscan, Associate Professor of Community Health
 
Congratulations to Professor Elys Vásquez-Iscan, who was not only accepted but received a scholarship to participate in the Harvard Institute Graduate School of Education professional development, "Bravely Confronting Racism in Higher Education." When asked about her reasons for attending, Vásquez-Iscan explained that she hopes that the information gained from the training will allow her to contribute to the Hostos Center for Teaching and Learning by developing a workshop on racism in higher education. Vásquez-Iscan further shared that she is a part of the CUNY Faculty Diversity Conference planning committee and although we are fortunate to not have issues of racism abound at Hostos, there is an ongoing challenge of retaining faculty of color CUNYwide. The workshop she plans to develop could possibly be replicated and disseminated CUNYwide. For more information about the professional development program, click here.
NEWS FROM THE STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
Save the Date | Hostos Community College To Celebrate 2021 Graduating Class With Digital Commencement Ceremony 
 
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College will honor its 2021 graduating class with a digital commencement ceremony on Friday, May 28, 2021. The celebration will begin at 2 p.m. and be streamed live on Hostos’ YouTube page for graduates, family, and friends to join the College in marking the special occasion.
 
Graduation candidates are encouraged to email one photo, a quotes, empl ID, and degree/major to commencementRSVP@hostos.cuny.edu for inclusion in the digital ceremony by April 26, 2021. The application for Graduation deadline is April 5. Find out how to apply for graduation here. The cap and gown order deadline is May 1 and orders can be placed here.
 
We invite Hostos faculty and students to help nominate the Spring 2021 commencement speaker. Simply complete the “Speaker Nomination Form” using your Hostos user ID and password to submit your nominee for consideration.
 
More information about the 2021 commencement ceremony will be made available on the dedicated event page as the date draws closer. For general questions about graduation, please sign up to receive graduation updates or contact the Office of Student Activities via COMMENCEMENTINFO@hostos.cuny.edu here.
CUNY’s Council of Student Life Directors To Host Emerging Leaders Conference
The CUNY Council of Student Life Directors will host their CUNY Emerging Leaders Conference (ELC) on Friday, March 19. The annual spring event will be held virtually via Zoom from 12-4 p.m. and provide special trainings for students interested in exploring and honing their leadership skills. Dr. Denise Maybank, CUNY Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, will bring greetings and Jason Libfeld, Hostos Student Leadership Coordinator, will welcome participants. Author and entrepreneur Giovanni Derice will serve as this year’s keynote speaker and present “Self-ish: Helping Students Navigate Self-Care Through Self Awareness.”
 
Participants will have opportunities to join two breakout sessions throughout the conference. The first breakout session will include presentations focusing on movement, financial success, developing leadership values and skills through experiential civic engagement and advocacy, and self-love, to name a few. The second breakout session will include presentations on leading virtually, building leadership style, finding balance, engagement in the virtual world, and more. Various CUNY staff and students will lead many of the day’s workshops.
 
Join the exciting, empowering, and educational 2021 CUNY ELC by registering in advance here.
  
If you have any questions or have special needs in the Zoom environment, reach out to Jason Libfeld at jlibfeld@hostos.cuny.edu or Christina Waszak at cwaszak@bmcc.cuny.edu.
DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Since 2002, the Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development (CEWD) has worked in partnership with District Council 37 to bring high quality educational programs to their members. We are pleased to announce that 40 of their members were able to gain certification in Microsoft Office, 60 completed training in Conversational Spanish, 9 completed ESOL Intermediate, and 10 completed their HSE (with an additional 10 still in class), all while transitioning to a distance-learning model. CEWD is looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of DC37 members for the spring term and is proud to be the educational provider for all our union partners.
The Center for Bronx Nonprofits’ Third Annual Women’s Resilience Conference
A Must-Do Event for the Bronx
 
On Friday, March 12, 2021, the Hostos Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development’s Center for Bronx Nonprofits (CBNP) held its third Annual Women’s Resilience Conference, now a must-do event for the Bronx. This year’s virtual conference captured the stories and courageous efforts of essential workers. Three keynote speakers working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic set the stage for 14 inspirational women representing government, education, and the arts. 
“The Women’s Resilience Conference is a chance to learn how women are impacting society in the urban landscape of New York City, during a time of unprecedented change, their stories are needed, and I was honored to have the opportunity to have these marvelous leaders at this year’s event,” Eileen Newman, CBNP Executive Director, said.

Newman introduced and welcomed Interim President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, who commented on the event’s significance. “It is very important to have forums like these ones. I thank the Division of Continuing Education and the Center for Bronx Nonprofits for engaging the community in the way they do, not only by training individuals but by creating spaces for the community to learn by storytelling and recognizing women,” Cocco De Filippis said.

The conference speakers also shared their unique stories, revealing their deep commitment and passion for the work they do. Eileen Torres, Executive Director of BronxWorks, explained how her organization, in response to the pandemic, increased their food pantry distribution initiative from twice a month to once a week. Dr. Judith Gil, Interim Deputy Director of Mental Health Services with the Children’s Aid Society, spoke about her experience providing mental health treatment and social work leadership support during this challenging time. Patricia Quinn, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse Manager and Assistant Director of Nursing for the Maternal Child Health at Lenox Hill Hospital, generated one of the most emotional moments of the morning when she spoke candidly of her experience on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis. Idelsa Méndez, Hostos’ Development Manager, spoke about her activities organizing community and fundraising for the College’s Golf Outing, the CUNY Campaign, and student scholarships. Rosalba Rolón, Artistic Director of Pregones/PRTT, shared the history of Pregones Traveling Theater and its impact on the Bronx Community. Newman’s daughter, Sydne Didier, swim coach and activist, described channeling her fear and rage into “Postcards to Donald,” which resulted in over 4,000 postcards of resistance sent to former President Donald Trump and his administration. The sharing segment closed with a beautiful poetry reading by author and public speaker, Zoe Flowers.

After the speakers, Amanda Septimo, a newly elected State Assemblymember, spoke one-on-one with Newman about her winning campaign and how to remain resilient in the face of challenges.

The Women’s Resilience Conference was bookended with music as attendees logged on to the sound of legendary female vocalists Aretha Franklin and Donna Summer and ended the day with a song by CBNP Meredith Minogue’s band, Violet.
NEWS FROM THE DIVISION OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
The Hostos Community College Foundation’s 2021 Virtual Annual Scholarship Benefit (Recurring Notice)

Save the Date: Thursday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m.

The Virtual Annual Scholarship Benefit—Hostos' premier fundraising event—strengthens the institutional mission of the College: furthering student success. Net proceeds support students along their road to degree completion, helping to create positive trajectories for themselves and their families.

The 2021 Virtual Annual Scholarship Benefit honorees are:

  • Continental Food and Beverage, Inc., Inca Kola USA - Community Impact Award
  • Mr. and Mrs. Stuart and Randi P. Feiner - Philanthropic Impact Award
  • The Honorable José E. Serrano - Lifetime Community Service Award

Please mark your calendars and join us online on April 29. Details regarding registration and viewing information will be included in the forthcoming invitation.

For more information, please visit https://www.hostosbenefit.com/
UNSUNG HEROES OF HOSTOS
Office of Academic Affairs Unsung Hero of The Week

This week the Office of Academic Affairs recognizes Professor Tram Nguyen for her work designing and facilitating Writing Center programming for students. Beyond ensuring that students receive tutoring, guidance and feedback on their writing assignments, Nguyen’s community building sessions promote interpersonal and intellectual connections among students and faculty. This emphasis on making connections comes at a critical point in our history when individuals are feeling isolated and alone due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nguyen’s thoughtful development of programming designed to engage participants in higher-order thinking and collective and individual reflection reflects the pillars of the Hostos college mission to provide its campus members with opportunities to develop skills and grow intellectually makes her the OAA Unsung Hero of the Week.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Last Saturday, March 13, 2021 Associate Dean of Community Relations Ana I. García Reyes, was honored by the Dominican organization “Prensa & Comunidad Hispana” (PreCoHis) led by Dominican journalist Ramón Mercedes.
 
PreCoHis gathered prominent Dominicans for the occasion of the recently concluded Dominican Heritage Month in the United States, and in recognition of "International Women's Day" that was commemorated last Monday.
 
Among the honorees were Adriano Espaillat, Congressman NY-13; Carlos Michelén, Alternate Ambassador to the UN; Néstor Díaz, Judge of the Manhattan Criminal Court; and Antonio Cabrera, President of the NYS Federation of Taxi Drivers (NYSFTD); Radhamés A. Rojas, Specialist in Cardiology and Electrophysiology at Westchester Medical Center Hospital; Carlos Ghonz, Commander of Police Precinct 42, in the Bronx. Recognized for "International Women's Day" were Lutzi Vieluf Isidor, President of the company Cibao Meat Products; and Jaline Isidor Horta, Marketing Manager of Cibao Meat Products.
BRAVO NEWS
Submitted by Continuing Education and Workforce Development Interim Dean Peter Mertens

The Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Development (CEWD) and the Division of Academic Affairs was awarded $470,000 by New York State York State through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process in Next Generation Job Linkage funds. The Hostos Job Linkage Proposal is intended for expanding opportunity by building more robust partnerships between employers, the public school system, and the public university system to ensure that public education is relevant to the demands of the contemporary workplace. Efforts will rely on collaborations between Hostos and industry partners and will provide a pathway from high school through Hostos, into a 4-year degree, and then career employment. The Divisions will work collaboratively to create a fully integrated, comprehensive workforce development system that enables people to move up the career ladder by targeting state funding to projects and programs that lead to gainful employment and upward mobility. Congratulations to Dean Ann Meister of Academic Affairs; Lisanette Rosario of Career Services/CEWD; and Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham, Executive Director of Workforce Development/CEWD for their collaborative work.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
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.
 
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!
 
HALFWAY THERE! Library Drop in for mid-semester help
Tuesday, March 23 between 3:00-5:00 p.m. (drop in any time) 
Support for students with their research, writing, studying, needs for disability accommodations, and/or emotional support. Students can stop by the zoom room any time for help in breakout rooms with representatives from the library, HALC, the Writing Center, Counseling, and ARC. 
To RSVP click here: https://bit.ly/tues3-5

Velada Hostosiana/Hostos Culture Talk: The Life and Times of Evelina Antonetty
Office of the President | Tuesday, March 23 |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 | 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. 

HALFWAY THERE! Library Drop in for Mid-semester Help​
Wednesday, March 24 between 5:00-7:00 p.m. (drop in any time) 
Support for students with their research, writing, studying, needs for disability accommodations, and/or emotional support. Students can stop by the zoom room any time for help in breakout rooms with representatives from the library, HALC, the Writing Center, Counseling, and ARC. 
 
To RSVP click here: https://bit.ly/weds5-7 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 | 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 
To RSVP click here: https://bit.ly/CBB_HCC2021

Socio-Political Achievements of Women and Amplifying Their Leadership Voices
Office of the President | Wednesday, March 31 | 3:30 p.m.
Join the Office of the President for a Women’s History Month presentation with distinguished elected official trailblazers: Hon. Carolyn Maloney, U.S. Congress Member; Hon. Amanda Septimo, NY State Assembly Member; Hon. Nathalia Fernandez, NY State Assembly Member; Hon. Karines Reyes, NY State Assembly Member; Hon. Chantel Jackson, NY State Assembly Member; and, Hon. Diana Ayala, New York City Council Member. With greetings and remarks from Hostos Interim President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., and moderated by Associate Dean Ana I. García Reyes.

We Too Sing America: From Experimentation to Participation
Office of the President | Wednesday, Apr. 14 | 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.

Queering the Curriculum CTL Workshop
Tuesday, April 14 | 3:30-4:30pm
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. 
Zoom link here

Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremony
Office of the President | Friday, May 28 | 2 p.m 
Live streamed on YouTube 
ABOUT EL SEMANARIO HOSTOSIANO/THE HOSTOS WEEKLY
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.
For inclusion in the Hostos Weekly, please send your items to:
publicrelations@hostos.cuny.edu at least two weeks ahead of publication.
 
Look for the Hostos Weekly each Friday.

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Office of the President | Office of Communications | 718-518-4300 | publicrelations@hostos.cuny.edu