Caiman Magazine, V3, N7

CAIMAN HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE MAGAZINE  SUMMER 2018 Volume 3, No. 7

Cover by Daniela Giadans

ANNIVERSARY

COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE

CAIMAN HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE MAGAZINE  SUMMER 2018 Volume 3, No. 7

Cover by Alice Curiel

ANNIVERSARY

COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE

MONTEFIORE SALUTES HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR ITS ROLE TRANSFORMING AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE SOUTH BRONX. Thank you for inspiring students to excel and create a better world for themselves, their families and their communities.

MONTEFIORE IS THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL FOR ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.

doingmoremontefiore.org

Westchester Hudson Valley Bronx

Proud to support Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Together, we can strengthen our communities – one student at a time.

Visit one of our local branches: Southern Blvd.: 1046 Southern Blvd. • Castle Hill: 1170 Castle Hill Ave. • East Tremont: 752 East Tremont Ave. • 149th St.: 374 E. 149th St. (NEW) • Fordham Rd.: 301 E. Fordham Rd. 1.888.317.9062

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“Hostos has allowed me to take my talents and apply them towards a career path. My visual communication skills have sharpened immensely, allowing me to express myself better.”

Hostos’ Animation Program, a part of the College’s Media Design Program, is letting students use their voices in new and exciting ways.

CREATING A NEW VOICE .

By Rich Pietras

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For 50 years, Hostos has been built on innovation. Whether it be through creating new programs or curriculum or updating technology, Hostos has listened and responded to the needs of its students, in and out of the classroom. Read about what some key faculty and staff say about the progression of several different areas of the College.

WE WERE VISIONARY THEN; WE ARE VISIONARY NOW

INFLUENCING BRONX ART & CULTURE FOR A HALF-CENTURY

“Who knew 50 years ago that Hostos would be home to one of thethe of greatest greatest artsarts and and culture culture spots spots in in thethe Bronx?

Bronx?

Hostos Hostos had the vision had the vision to recognize to recognize the potential the potential and and throughout throughout the years, the HCAC HCAC years, has quietly has quietly earnedearned a reputation a reputation as oneas of one the premier of the Latino cultural premier Latino centers cultural in centers the northeast.” in the northeast.”

By Wallace I. Edgecombe and John MacElwee

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LASER FOCUSED ON ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY

“Thanks to all of the advancements, every member of Hostos (from faculty, staff, students, to senior administration) embraced a culture change and made innovation a common practice.”

By Carlos Guevara and Varun Sehgal

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APPLYING INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGY TO 21ST CENTURY LITERACY

“Technology has played a critical role in transforming the literacy environment. Today’s writer must compose across numerous communications platforms representing an amalgam of text, sound and image, and encompassing multimedia texts, podcasts, text messaging, and blogging.”

By Andrea Fabrizio, Linda Hirsch and Gregory Marks

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DEVELOPING TOMORROW’S FOOD POLICY INNOVATORS BY RE-IMAGINING ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

“The Bronx ranked last out of 62 counties analyzed in New York State for... health outcomes. This place-based pattern is echoed by data in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Community Health Profiles where health morbidities and related mortalities were found to differ by borough and neighborhood.”

By Félix Cardona and Flor Henderson

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TRAINING ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO IMPACT BRONX HEALTH OUTCOMES

“My greatest pride is the students. Their performances on State and National Boards have continued to be outstanding, and their pursuit of higher education has also been outstanding, as evidenced by many of our graduates going on to earn baccalaureate, master’s, doctorate degrees.”

By Charles Drago, Hamide Laucer, Diana Macri and Riesa Toote

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10 QUESTIONS WITH KAYLA WILSON

“I don’t remember not playing basketball. Going to the national tournament was a tremendous experience. It was tough, but we banded together as a team, like we did all season long. I am thankful for the individual accolades, but none of it would be possible without my teammates and coaches.”

By Rich Pietras

10 STUDENT CLOSE UP

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7 POSTINGS

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48 ALUMNI NOTES

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52 HOSTOS HAPPENINGS

FROMTHEPRESIDENT

50 YEARS OF INNOVATION In 1968, Hostos Community College was definitely something new under the sun.

Created out of the community’s desire for high-quality, affordable education, Hostos has worked diligently over the years to respond to the needs of its students, their families, and the larger world of which they are a part. Our faculty members strive to be on the cutting-edge of developments in their disciplines. Our course offerings are regularly evaluated for their continuing relevance and effectiveness.

We not only work to improve what we already have, we also keep abreast of cultural and economic changes in society and build new courses around them. What comes to mind immediately is our interdisciplinary Food Studies program (the first of its kind in any community college in the United States) and similar initiatives, which create opportunities in other burgeoning fields. And in terms of new projects, Hostos has plans to build a modern Allied Health and Sciences Building Complex to house our various related programs and a dental clinic.

Fifty years after its founding, Hostos is still something new under the sun. In this issue of Caiman, you’ll learn firsthand from various departments about the ways in which they stay up-to-date, forward-thinking, and dedicated to student success; how Hostos remains – in a word – innovative.

I hope you’ll enjoy this issue.

With all best wishes,

David Gómez, Ed.D. President

Thanks to their talent, support raised through the Hostos Foundation, and other generous donations, Hostos student-actors will return to the world stage in August 2018 for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland. The troupe from the College’s Repertory Company, the “Hostos Rep,” is the only community college in North America invited to join approximately 24,000 other performers and artists from 41 countries at one of the largest theatrical events in the world. They first performed there in 2013.

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NASRY MICHELÉN

CÁNDIDO DE LEÓN

FLORA MANCUSO EDWARDS

President July 1, 1969 – May 4, 1971

President September 28, 1971 – August 31, 1977

President March 19, 1979 – June 30, 1986

ISAURA SANTIAGO SANTIAGO

DOLORES FERNÁNDEZ

FÉLIX V. MATOS RODRÍGUEZ

President August 1, 1987 – January 7, 1998

President March 2, 1998 – June 30, 2009

President July 1, 2009 – July 20, 2014

For 50 years, Hostos Community College has been shaping the lives of thousands of students. It has been my privilege to serve as the most recent President of this transformative institution. Following in the footsteps of great leaders who have come before me, I would like to thank all of Hostos’ past Presidents for their service in making Hostos into what it is today: The preeminent center of higher learning opportunities in the South Bronx.

DAVID GÓMEZ, ED.D. President

Hostos50• Oral History Collective Many things have changed since 1968, but not the power of a good story. The Hostos Oral History Collective currently features the testimony of each of our former Presidents and of more than 100 other people, reflecting the experiences of alumni, community members, faculty, friends, staff and students from the past half-century. Hear history in the making!

Visit www.Hostos50.com and re-live the history of Hostos. #HOSTOS50 CAIMAN MAGAZINE

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FROMTHEEDITOR LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE!!!

Publisher

Division of Institutional Advancement Editor in Chief

Fifty years impacting community change, transforming the lives of our students and seeing inter-generational social mobility in action are just a few reasons Hostos is celebrating in the heart of the South Bronx, and we want you to join us!

Ana Martínez Orizondo Art, Editorial Design & Production

José R. García

Designer & Illustrator

Alice Curiel José M. Martínez

Contributing Writers

This special Caiman Commemorative Issue highlights how Hostos Community College has evolved through the years and the many people who laid the pathway for our history. We celebrate how visionary our focus was from the beginning and how we remain forward-thinking for the future of our students and our community.

We are also proud to showcase two unique illustrations on two separate covers. One cover was designed by an Hostos Media Design student, Daniela Giadans. Out of 24 proposed student designs (pgs. 11-12) our Communications Office chose her dove in flight, symbolizing the strength of our history and the limitless potential ahead. The other cover was designed

by Hostos alumna, Alice Curiel. We hope you take the time to review all the illustrations, each has a special power, perspective, and most of all, the art and heart of our students.

Get ready to journey with us through the past, present and future. We promise, it’s a ride like no other.

Richard Pietras Tanisha Love Ramírez Social Media Editor

Tanisha Love Ramírez Copy Editor

Odalis Mino Photography

Denis Gostev Eduardo Hoepelman Dan Z. Johnson Francisco López Romain Suinat Executive Assistant to the Editor in Chief

Claudia Hernández Caiman

Caiman is the Hostos Community College official publication for students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the College.

Published three times a year by the Division of Institutional Advancement.

View the online version at www.hostos.cuny.edu/caiman Join the Conversation

Connect with Caiman magazine and the Hostos Division of Institutional Advancement. Share your story ideas, comment on what you read, submit news notes and expand on your thoughts in the online community.

Ana Martínez Orizondo Vice President Division of Institutional Advancement

Letters and Story Ideas

UP NEXT

CAIMAN MAGAZINE | WINTER 2018 Alumni

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON’T LIKE HOSTOS? HostosCC @HostosCollege

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HostosCollege #Hostos50

Follow us!

Email caimanmag@hostos.cuny.edu to tell us what you think about the latest issue of Caiman magazine and to share your comments on the stories. Your letter may be published in an upcoming “Letters” section of the magazine.

Letters to the editor, story ideas and contributions are welcome; they may be edited for clarity and length. This publication accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.

All submissions are subject to editing and are used at the editor’s discretion.

Office

Division of Institutional Advancement 120 East 149th Street, Room D-214 Bronx, NY 10451 t. 718-518-6579 e. caimanmag@hostos.cuny.edu w. www.hostos.cuny.edu

POSTINGS FROM THE TWITTER SPHERE

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@HostosOSA ... and they're done! The last two of the Advincola brothers graduated on Friday 03/02/18 from #Hostos! #hostoswintergraduation #HostosGrads2018 #hostosgraduation #Hostos50

It’s quite rare to see brothers enrolled at the same college. Rarer yet is witnessing four brothers take the college journey together. But, Hostos’ Advincola brothers—Esteban, Elías, Josué and Carlos Ramón, Jr.—did just that. By dedicating themselves to their studies and passions, and leaning on faith, family and friends, they overcame incredible obstacles to earn their Associate Degrees.

VIA INSTAGRAM

f @honeybadger_tejada •honeybadger_tejada“Hostos is my home”...

Proud Alumna, and current student Genesis Suero @genesiscamilas / Miss New York!

•#nightout #hostoscommunitycollege #hostos #Iamhostos #latina #latinas #afrolatina #afrolatino #dominicanas #bronx #lovingthebronx #bronxstrong #missnewyork #marathongirls #runners #fitness #fitnessmotivation #runnersofinstagram #runnerscommunity •rontruckerhectorYou're with my teammate @genesiscamilas

@HostosOSA •marcuszillioxideRevival exhibition at Hostos was fun! “Thanks to all who came out and supported a great show.” #art #contemporaryart #conceptualart#latinx #chicano #chicanoart #latinxart #bronx #hostoscommunitycollege

@joseluiselpuma •Congratulations to the Dental Hygiene Program Class of 2018.

Making smiles brighter one brush at a time •Congratulations Joan on passing the Board Exam.

I knew you would! I’m so proud of you!!! #PinningDay #DentalHygiene #ClassOf2018 #Graduates #Smile #PhotoOfTheDay #Bronx #HostosCommunityCollege #Hostos #Excellence #ProudHusband #TeethCleaning #GrandConcourse

@joetorresabc7 •joetorresabc7In the presence of greatness...

Keepin’ it real with 10-time #Grammywinner and legendary pianist, bandleader & arranger Eddie Palmieri...honoree at tonight’s 50th Anniversary benefit for Hostos

#HOSTOS50 CAIMAN MAGAZINE

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VISIONARY:STUDENTS

F

or this Commemorative Issue of Caiman, Professor Catherine Lewis’ DD114 Digital Illustration I class was invited to reflect on the occasion of the College’s 50th Anniversary and submit proposed covers based on their reflections, all of which are shown here. We recognize the enthusiasm and expression behind each one. The Caiman creative team chose one submission, created by Daniela Giadans, that serves as one of two of this issue’s cover. Ms. Giadans expressed, “As for my inspiration I looked at various protest photos representing part of the early college and visually connected them to flocks of birds. When birds fly, they travel together in a crowd. I took this idea and applied the imagery to protests. They are an enormous flock flying together for the same cause.

They soar into the sky and towards the future, hence the birds in this piece — they are not alone but one with the group.” What a wonderful metaphor for our community and an inspiration for this commemorative issue.

CAIMAN HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2018 Volume 3, No. 7

INNOVATIONS

WE WERE VISIONARY THEN WE ARE VISIONARY NOW

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Jeremiah P. Torres

Mary Vargas

Victor C. Thorne

Brittany N. Cuesta

Joanne Philius

Devanie A. Rosario

John Anthony J. Senquiz

Rosalie M. Solís

Joseph E. Howard

Jesús Méndez

Leonard E. McClean

Claudia Gállego

# CAIMANMAGAZINE

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Professor Catherine Lewis with her media design students.

Manon Balta

Yamilex Santana Pérez

Job Peña

José D. Muñoz-Vega

Student Illustrator

Daniela Giadans

Igor M. Reyes

Carnell A. Petway

Abubacarr Jeng

Jesús Galvez

Nathaniel R. Nieves

Rainier A Florian Aybar

#HOSTOS50 CAIMAN MAGAZINE

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It

is what Eugenio María de Hostos Community College has been for the past 50 years, and what it will be for decades to come. The institution itself was born from visionaries in the South Bronx, who in the late 1960s and 1970s, recognized that higher education was a path to a better life.

Fast-forward some 50 years later, and the College still responds to the needs of the community. After all, “Community” is our middle name.

For this special Commemorative Edition of Caiman magazine, we went directly to the source, the special people who, at that time, ensured the College remained innovative by creating the programs and curricula that kept up with the times. Hostos consistently has its eye pinned to the horizon. Whether it develops an award-winning IT department, or offers English courses that utilize the Columbia University curriculum, Hostos has a knack for envisioning how to best educate the change agents of tomorrow.

#HOSTOS50 CAIMAN MAGAZINE

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VISIONARY:ARTS & CULTURE

INFLUENCING BRONX ART & CULTURE FOR A HALF-CENTURY In 1982, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College started its culture and arts program, a series of concerts and exhibitions on a portable stage in a gymnasium on the Grand Concourse. It was an experiment in image-building for the college… ‘They didn't expect people would come to the South Bronx for cultural fare.’ said Wallace I. Edgecombe, who has directed the program since it began... But the audiences arrived and grew; so did the offerings, which ranged from salsa music to theater, to classical music to art exhibitions.”

—Jon Pareles The New York TImes, 1994

“I

Wallace I. Edgecombe with a maquette of the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, 1992.

Hostos Alumnus Felipe García, the late "Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz and the late “The King of Latin Music,” Tito Puente. Hostos’ Culture and Arts Program, the precursor of the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, 1986.

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can’t believe I have never seen this! This is incredible!” This is the sudden and powerful reaction expressed by visitors who experience a performance or exhibition for the first time at the modern theaters and gallery of the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture (HCAC).

Who knew 50 years ago that Hostos would be home to one of the greatest arts and culture spots in the Bronx? Hostos had the vision to recognize the potential and throughout the years, HCAC has quietly earned a reputation as one of the premier Latino cultural centers in the northeast.

The necessity for Hostos to serve as the cultural and educational hub of the community dates back to the mid-1960s when Latino and African-American community leaders campaigned to create Hostos Community College.

The birthplace of rap, and home to some of the greatest musicians and artistic voices in the world, deserved the best location. From the day the College opened its doors, Hostos was bustling with cultural and artistic activity. Its pioneering faculty was deeply rooted in the performing and visual arts and there was no shortage of artists or audiences.

In the 1980s, former President Flora Mancuso Edwards recognized the College needed to serve as a cultural center and charged Wallace Edgecombe, Director of College Relations at the time, to develop a proposal for a formal arts presenting season.

Edgecombe organized a committee of students, faculty and community leaders in the arts and their proposal was accepted by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Funding supported a full season of visual and performing arts presentations known as the Hostos Culture & Arts Program.

Artists of the caliber of Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Rubén Blades, Celia Cruz, Antonio Martorell and Faith Ringgold, and companies such as Ballet Hispánico, Dance Theater of Harlem, Pregones Theater and Repertorio Español performed in make-shift venues such as the Hostos gymnasium, cafeteria and the infamous Room B-513. “I knew we were onto something when we presented a zarzuela on a portable stage in the old gym and 700 people showed up,” states Edgecombe.

The Program’s record of attracting top-notch artists and a loyal audience ultimately led to the development of a state-of-the art facility that includes

The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture houses the Longwood Art Gallery.

two theaters (seating 900 and 375), a museum-grade art gallery, a dance studio, and scenery and costume shops.

HCAC has earned a national reputation for excellence in the arts with its presenting seasons, artist commissions and residencies. One of its prominent components has been the Hostos Repertory Company, founded by Professor Pablo Cabrera, chairman of the Humanities Department. Now under the direction of Ángel Morales, coordinator of the Visual and Performing Arts unit, the Company has won numerous prizes for its productions and has been invited twice (2012 and 2018) to the world-renowned Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.

After 31 years of service as the founding director of the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, Edgecombe retired in 2012. He was succeeded by John MacElwee who built upon his predecessor’s legacy, presenting fall and spring seasons of salsa, Latin jazz, Spanish-language theater, chamber music and contemporary dance, as well as the biennial BomPlenazo (Afro-Puerto Rican music and dance) and landmark art exhibits.

HCAC has hosted Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter for a lecture on the music industry and Fat Joe for a video release. The Center has also received extensive coverage and praise from The New York Times for the Tito Puente Retrospective, the first-ever three-day event of its kind.

Hostos Repertory Theater.

Hostos Main Theater.

Those who visit the Center today enjoy new upgrades including handrails, carpet and seats in both theaters. A sound enhancement package for the Main Theater is planned for the near future.

#HOSTOS50 CAIMAN MAGAZINE

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BomPlenazo Artists Collective (2014) Photo: Marisol Díaz.

Vocalist Jeremy Bosch performs with Steven Oquendo Orchestra as part of Mambo Memories 2 (2018) Photo: Alan Spatz.

From Rap, to Salsa, to Bomba & Plena, the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture mirrors the rich artistic diversity that makes the Bronx a unique cultural destination. To be able to present these talented artists in state-of-the-art facilities, including a museum-grade art gallery, just steps from three subway and bus lines, allows us to be a major player in the New York cultural world with everexpanding potential. I hope you will join us for one of our many events.

Bassist / Composer / Band leader Carlos Henríquez at the Tito Puente Retrospective (2017) Photo: Joe Conzo, Jr.

John MacElwee

Director, Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture The all-female dance ensemble MAWU performs as part of the CUNY Dance Initiative (2016).

The Dalí String Quartet with percussionist Orlando Cotto and bassist Pedro Giraudo (2015) Photo: Larophoto.

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The Sekou McMiller Dance Company as part of the CUNY Dance Initiative (2017) Photo: Marisol Díaz.

Vocalist Choco Orta performs a tribute to Ruth Fernández (2015) Photo: Allen Spatz.

Flutists Mauricio Smith Jr. and Karen Joseph perform as part of Charanga-Fest (2016) Photo: Larophoto.

Vocalists Danny Rivera and Frankie Vázquez perform as a part of the La Bandera Puertorriqueña Celebration (2016) Photo: Larophoto.

#HOSTOS50 CAIMAN MAGAZINE

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OURCOMMUNITIES Since 1983, the Hostos Repertory Company is the resident theater troupe at the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture. An initiative of the Hostos Community College Humanities Department and collaboration with the Hostos Center, the Company incorporates both professional actors and students in its productions. Over the years it has earned a reputation for being an important voice in Spanish-language and bilingual theater.

Young Hostos by Michael Gabriel Torres. This play marked the opening of the Black Box Theater (2014).

You Always Forget Something by Virgilio Piñera. The play won one HOLA and three ACE awards. Repertory Theater (2010).

Pablo Cabrera is a renowned theater director and the Founding Artistic Director of the Hostos Repertory Company. Among his many credits are La farsa del amor compradito and O casi el alma by Luis Rafael Sánchez, Mariana o el alba by René Marqués, La Srta. Julia by August Strindberg, Maribel y su extraña familia by Miguel Mihura, La verdadera historia de Pedro Navaja by Pablo Cabera and My Fair Lady by Alan Jay Lerner. Cabrera is also Professor Emeritus at Hostos Community College.

Ángel Morales is a professor of Theatre at Hostos Community College in NYC and the current Artistic Director of the awardwinning Hostos Repertory Company. He received his M.A. in Educational Theatre from NYU. Originally from Puerto Rico, he has directed numerous plays including the world premiere of the acclaimed Borinquen vive en El Barrio by Tere Martínez, In the Blood by Suzan-Lori Parks, Boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb and the US premiere of You Always Forget Something which received three HOLA and two ACE awards.

The cast of Rough Magic by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa in Edinburgh, Scotland at the Fringe Festival (2013).

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The cast of Gender of Attraction by Chris Rivera featured at the Edinburgh’s Fringe (2018).

The cast of The Most Massive Woman Wins by Madeleine George. Repertory Theater (2017).

The cast of Welcome to Arroyo’s by Kristopher Díaz. Repertory Theater (2011). This was the first production directed by an Hostos student.

Henry’s Law by Stacie Lents. Repertory Theater (2016).

Drawn and Quartered by Maggie Bofill. Black Box (2017).

Song of Extinction by E.M. Lewis. Repertory Theater (2012).

In the Blood by Suzan Lori-Parks. Repertory Theater (2009).

The cast of Boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb.

Repertory Theater (2011). This production was invited to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Region 2, in Fitchburg, MA.

#HOSTOS50 CAIMAN MAGAZINE

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VISIONARY:EDUCATION

LASER FOCUSED ON ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY 3D PRINTING? CHECK. VIRTUAL ADVISING? CHECK. IPADS WITH INTERACTIVE APPS FOR LEARNING? CHECK. STATE-OF-THE-ART CLASSROOMS AND COMPUTER LABS? CHECK AND CHECK.

T

Carlos Guevara, Director, EdTech and CTL; George Rosa, Senior Instructional Designer, EdTech; David dos Santos, Instructional Designer, EdTech; and Bill Ballhaus, CEO & President, Blackboard Inc.

Hostos’ EdTech department received the Blackboard Catalyst award for its innovative approach to assessing students’ readiness for online learning.

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his is Technology@Hostos – where an award-winning, collaborative, cross-divisional approach to solving the campus’ biggest challenges is addressed by way of innovation.

Throughout its 50 year history, Hostos has been at the forefront of numerous technological advances and has never shied away from taking a leap of faith.

“The human factor is one important and determining factor to becoming an innovative institution,” said Carlos Guevara, Director, Office of Educational Technology and Co-Director, Center for Teaching and Learning. “Thanks to all of the advancements, every member of Hostos (from faculty, staff, students, to senior administration) embraced a culture change and made innovation a common practice. For example, the EdTech Innovator Chase is an initiative created to reward faculty innovation through badges and every semester the Innovation Celebration is held to recognize the top faculty innovators.”

When it comes to success in technology, Hostos is a testament to the great faculty, staff and students who help keep the college on track. Whether it is being among the first to go live with a major University system on all key modules of CUNYfirst, or receiving numerous CUNY Productivity and CUNY IT awards for systems that improved administrative functions, cross-campus collaborations, and academic achievement through technology, Hostos is no stranger to recognition.

Hostos has been acknowledged for promoting and establishing cross-campus collaborations to further advance organizational culture change and communities of practice. For example, Hostos spearheaded the establishment of the Bronx EdTech Showcase, which in its 6th year has brought together faculty from Bronx Community College, Lehman College, Hostos and beyond to share innovative uses of technology to reach new levels of student engagement and improved performance. The Hostos “Are You Ready” online student readiness course is another example of leading innovation. After its successful implementation at Hostos, the course was shared and is currently being piloted at Bronx Community, Lehman and John Jay Colleges.

Visionary? Check. When other campuses aspire to be as visionary as Hostos, and students return to the College expressing the need for their 4-year school to have the type of technology Hostos has, Hostos must be doing something right.

In April of this year, Hostos was once again recognized as a Top Ten Digital Community College in a national survey on colleges’ use of technology to improve services, engagement and collaboration by the Center for Digital

Professor Ernest Ialongo teaching in one of the College’s smart classrooms.

Education. In fact, Hostos placed 2nd overall in the nation among mid-size colleges. This is the eighth time that the College has finished in the Top 10, including when it ranked No. 1 in 2016.

Varun Sehgal, Chief Information Officer and Assistant Vice President of Information Technology at Hostos said there is even more on the horizon.

“Are we done? Not a chance. With many classrooms left to modernize; more data-driven decision-making, automated support solutions to develop that improve services to students; address anytime-anywhere access for students through virtual live tutoring, and further advance a culture of innovation, there is much in the short and long-term horizon for Tech@Hostos that will continue to support the mission of our college.”

H

ostos maintains its position as a leader in innovation at CUNY and stays ahead of the curve by making improvements in both the seen and unseen aspects of technology on campus. For instance, Hostos has one of the most modern network infrastructures in all of CUNY. It was the first CUNY campus to fully deploy a state-of-the art Voice-over-IP system in 2008 that facilitated receiving voicemails in an email inbox.

The College also developed and implemented numerous custom software solutions to address everything from digitizing performance evaluations and ePARs to the modern Digication ePortfolio, Succeed@Hostos Early Warning System, and the EMS space management/room reservation system. With B-515, Hostos unveiled the first fully collaborative learning classroom in CUNY. Additionally, the Hostos library has two group-study rooms equipped with HD TVs that facilitate digitally-enhanced group learning and collaboration opportunities for students, faculty and staff.

“We are grateful to the Center for Digital Education and look forward to continuing to be a model for technology while also learning from our peer institutions on areas we can develop further,” Sehgal shared. “The pace at which technology continues to evolve is increasing rapidly and we must remain innovative while making sound choices to ensure we serve our students, faculty, staff and community the best we can.”

—Varun Sehgal Assistant Vice President and Chief Information Officer

#HOSTOS50 CAIMAN MAGAZINE

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VISIONARY:EDUCATION

APPLYING INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGY TO 21ST CENTURY LITERACY This curriculum empowers students to reflect on their agency in our society, to recognize connections that bind us together as humans, and to become more purposeful and engaged readers and writers.”

—Andrea Fabrizio Associate Professor and Deputy Chairperson English Department

T

he English Department has always been a vital component of the academic offerings at Hostos Community College.

Remaining true to its mission, Hostos continues to provide students from diverse ethnic, racial, cultural and linguistic backgrounds with access to higher education and emphasizes innovative instruction in the areas of developmental education and English as a Second Language (ESL). Looking back on 50 years of teaching English proficiency at Hostos reveals refinements and shifts in pedagogy that reflect the changes in the student population and the evolving demands of literacy in the 21st century.

Technology has played a critical role in transforming the literacy environment. Today’s writer must compose across numerous communications platforms representing an amalgam of text, sound and image, and encompassing multimedia texts, podcasts, text messaging, and blogging. Fluency in many literacies is essential for students to learn how to create and understand the types of discourse appropriate to each.

Although curriculum and enrollment at Hostos has evolved, the need for English Department faculty to strengthen student reading and writing skills remains constant. Professors and Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the English Department, respectively, Gregory Marks and Andrea Fabrizio, addressed this need when they launched the Columbia Core at Hostos project. In collaboration with Columbia University, the project focuses on professional development, curriculum development, and pedagogical innovation while bringing elements of Columbia University’s 100-year-old core curriculum to the Hostos English writing sequence.

The objective for English Department faculty who participate in Columbia Core is to form a true learning community. The objective for students is to encourage thoughtful self-reflection on foundational texts. Studying texts such as The Trial and Death of Socrates, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and The Souls of Black Folk in ENG 110, and The Inferno, Hamlet and Song of Solomon in ENG 111, allows students to engage in enduring humanistic discussions.

“This curriculum empowers students to reflect on their agency in our society, to recognize connections that bind us together as

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Andrea Fabrizio, Gregory Marks and Linda Hirsch.

humans, and to become more purposeful and engaged readers and writers,” Fabrizio said. “The project also recognizes that in order to have an impact in the classroom, much work needs to be done outside of the classroom. Columbia Core faculty participate in an ongoing program of professional development that aims to incorporate classical humanistic texts into the Hostos curriculum while developing engaging pedagogical materials that will strengthen students’ reading and writing skills.”

Since the curriculum’s piloting in 2016, it has significantly impacted the culture of the English Department and student body, and has been recognized by The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post.

Hostos has consistently envisioned its students would become skilled writers and readers capable of mastering the demands of the academic environment and the workplace. To date, Hostos offers over 100 specially designed Writing Intensive (WI) sections across a broad range of disciplines that provide opportunities for both formal and informal writing. In a digital age that incorporates scripted videos, blogs and multi-media assignments, faculty across all disciplines are invited to explore new avenues for student writing at Hostos.

“Reading and writing skills are not only the most sought after skills in the workforce, but are important for leading a fulfilled life. Hostos’ English Department prides itself on a history of being responsive to academic and workplace requirements and a commitment to helping students meet the demands of the future with creativity, innovation, and excellence,” Marks said.

T

he Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Initiative, established across CUNY in 1999, mandated writing instruction as a University-

wide responsibility. Directed by Coordinators Professors Hirsch and Fabrizio, the initiative is implemented throughout the College’s developmental programs, ESL, math and science, liberal arts, allied health professions and dual degree programs.

Students receive assistance in learning about the unique writing demands of their own disciplines and master its forms. By emphasizing the connections between reading and writing, students improve their ability to comprehend and write about difficult texts.

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VISIONARY:EDUCATION

DEVELOPING TOMORROW’S FOOD POLICY INNOVATORS BY RE-IMAGINING ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Hostos provides foundational knowledge of the food system, how it has developed and its relationship with health, science, the environment and public policy... They leave Hostos equipped for entry-level jobs in the broad and growing health, community education, and other aspects of the food sector.”

—Félix Cardona Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs

A

s Hostos celebrates its 50th Anniversary, its approach to curriculum and program development is as visionary now as it was then. Hostos recognizes the need to provide students with new learning opportunities and bring real-life academics to the classroom.

After all, it is in the Hostos DNA. In keeping with its reputation as a visionary and competitive college, Hostos launched an Associate Degree in Food Studies in fall 2016. This is the first program of its kind in the United States available to students living in the neighborhoods most negatively impacted by imbalances in the food system and least represented in leadership positions within the industry. The unique program links higher education, local economic and workforce development, and public health.

The Food Studies program branches into areas of specialization: Food Policy, Food and Social Issues, Environment and Sustainability, Food Sciences, and Health and Nutrition.

Each track offers students the opportunity to develop skills and talent through participatory learning, public communication, undergraduate research, and community engagement.

According to the 2018 County Health Rankings report published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Bronx ranked last out of 62 counties analyzed in New York State for both health outcomes.

This place-based pattern is echoed by data in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Community Health Profiles where health morbidities and related mortalities were found to differ by borough and neighborhood.

Hostos was primarily concerned with the data related to its geographic community, Highbridge, Morrisania, Hunts Point, and Mott Haven. These residents fared worse on critical health indicators than the rest of the Bronx and New York City as a whole, particularly in the rates of adult obesity, diabetes and other health concerns. Ironically, the geographic areas of concern

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Students visiting a food proccesing plant.

P

rogram-related initiatives during the academic year include:

•

• Left: Students conducting various food experiments.

Below: Students visiting an organic rooftop farm.

• • •

•

•

A campus forum on the study of the Environmental Impact of our Food System in collaboration with Factory Farming Awareness Coalition; The Annual Green Thumb: Grow Together Conference on urban agriculture in collaboration with a NYC urban garden program; Participation in the Just Food Conference at Teachers College, Columbia University; A symposium on Hunger Health and Aging: A Bronx Food Insecurity Forum co-sponsored with the NYC Department for the Aging; A program sponsored field trip to the Bethel Hobbs Organic Farm and the Golden Earth Worm Organic Farm where students worked on a sustainable farm for a day and participated in a series of lectures on sustainable farming practices tied to their sciences courses; A program sponsored field trip to Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm to explore the emerging urban agriculture movement and the science of sustainable farming in a large city; and Additional service learning or field experience activities involved La Finca del Sur Urban Farm and the New Roots Community Farm, both in the Bronx.

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Early g

ro w th

VISIONARY:EDUCATION

Aeroponic Lab Project

T

his past academic year the program dedicated an aeroponic lab with the capacity to grow a variety of fresh

produce in a simulated environment. The lab facilitates both student and faculty research and produces a fair quantity of fresh consumable greens, which are distributed through

Flor Henderson

Professor and Principal Investigator for the Aeroponic Lab Project Biology Unit, Natural Sciences Department

student clubs or the campus pantry. The lab provides students and faculty with opportunities to explore the

st Harve

scientific and health implications of developing local urban agricultural capacities.

Karin Contreras

College Laboratory Technician, Aeroponic Lab Project Support Biology Unit, Natural Sciences Department

exist alongside the Hunts Point Peninsula, NYC’s designated food distribution zone, which includes, among other wholesale markets, the Hunts Point Produce Market the—largest fresh produce food distribution center in North America.

Food that arrives at our tables travels through an extensive pathway known as the Food System. Various stages of this system include food production, processing, transportation, commercialization, and consumption. Through its Food Studies degree program, Hostos students find a place in the food industry by learning about the environment, public health, cultural, policy and social implications, and the stages of the food system.

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“Hostos provides foundational knowledge of the food system, how it has developed and its relationship with health, science, the environment and public policy. Through academic coursework students can further their knowledge at a senior college and/or graduate with an Associate Degree.

They leave Hostos equipped for entry-level jobs in the broad and growing health, community education, and other aspects of the food sector,” said Félix Cardona, Hostos’ Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs.

The multidisciplinary committee participating in the initiative has been active in providing advisement, organizing

From lab to table: Student investigators who participated in the Aeroponic Lab Project share their harvest and experience with the College community.

promotional events, conducting fieldtrips, connecting curriculum with practical experiences, screening food and health-related documentaries, and hosting special guest lecturers from diverse academic fields impacting the food system to discuss environmental, health, social justice, food science and other current developments in food studies and food sciences. They include Eric Holt-GimĂŠnez, Executive Director of Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy; Claudia Lifton-Shwener, Factory Farming Awareness Coalition; Louis Sorkin, American Museum of Natural History; Judy Villeneuve, Nicole Scarangello and Simone Martin, of the

New York City Department of Education; Rene Marion, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture; Alfonso Morales, University of Wisconsin; Stephen Ritz, Bronx Green Machine; Krishnendu Ray, New York University; Sean Basinski, Street Vendors Project; and, most recently, Goya Foods.

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TRAINING ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO IMPACT BRONX HEALTH OUTCOMES As faculty, we are all aware that the Bronx suffers from poor health statistics, meaning that the borough has more acutely and chronically ill people than all the other counties in the state. When we educate students and follow the Hostos mission and vision, we not only impact the current Bronx health outcomes, we help individuals and their families rise above their current socioeconomic status.”

— Hamide Laucer Assistant Professor Nursing Program, Allied Health Sciences Department

LEADER IN ALLIED HEALTH At Hostos, the Allied Health programs continue to produce outstanding graduates and serve as a vital talent pipeline for employers in the healthcare sector. Enrollment in all three Allied Health programs is strong, and Hostos graduates continue to post excellent outcomes on their professional certification exams.

CERTIFICATION PASS RATES 2017

99

%

for Hostos radiologic technology graduates

98

%

for Hostos dental hygiene graduates

445 Dental Hygiene 827 Nursing

FALL 2017 ENROLLMENT 1,710 Students 329 Radiologic Technology

109 Licensed Practical Nursing

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H

istorically, the Allied Health programs at Hostos make up one of the largest and perhaps most community-centric departments. Enrolling approximately 1,710 students annually, it offers students the opportunity to serve their community through careers in nursing, radiologic technology and dental hygiene. As each of these professions advanced technologically over time, Hostos has remained innovative by adapting to the advances that best prepare its students to offer optimal patient care.

Graduating its first class 48 years ago, student enrollment in the Radiologic Technology Program has increased steadily over the last decade. It received a boost from the state in 2014 in the form of a $2.2 million “CUNY 2020 Grant.” Recognizing that Hostos offered both degree and non-degree programs in allied health care fields—one of the largest growing sectors of private employment in New York City—the College was able to increase its access to stable employment for New York residents.

The “Allied Health Training for Employment Initiative” expanded the College’s offerings by updating resources for its existing Nursing, Dental and Radiologic Technology programs, while developing additional resources such as Occupational Therapy Assistant. The reasoning was clear: When combined, healthcare and social assistance constitute one of the two largest sectors of private employment in New York City, and Hostos was playing a vital role.

Faculty members and students benefited from new state-ofthe-art equipment and facilities. These included four energized X-ray suites, portable technology, and pedagogical technology that bridged the gap for students continuing their college education, and those beginning to prepare for health careers in high school.

Student working at the X-ray Lab.

The Hostos Radiologic Technology Program had two existing X-ray units converted to digital and a new direct digital radiography suite was added, which increased the capacity of both the degree and non-degree programs.

In addition, a Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) was installed for storing and retrieving X-ray images.

Department Chairperson and Radiologic Technology Program Coordinator, Dr. Charles Drago, is proud of what the program offers Hostos students. “Becoming a radiology professional allows students to have choices. Many students continue their education and earn additional certifications. Over the last several decades the program has grown from 10 students to over 50 students,� Drago said.

Drago sees continued expansion, including the addition of clinical education centers and implementing CT and MR courses to keep pace with the changing profession. Incorporating virtual reality into the curriculum is also in the planning stages. Such initiatives ensure the continued success of graduates, 99 percent of whom have passed the national licensing board examinations over the last 20 years.

Professor Jarek Stelmark and students.

Professor Manuel Livingston and students.

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VISIONARY:EDUCATION The Dental Hygiene Unit is an additional community-based educational initiative that trains the most highly qualified dental hygienists in New York City. 98 percent of its graduates pass the national licensing and clinical exam and 100 percent are employed as dental hygienists within six months of graduation.

Professor Emerita Anita Cunningham, the program’s founder and first Chairperson, came to Hostos in 1970 before the College officially opened its doors to students and was instrumental in its planning.

Cunningham retired from Hostos in 2000 and taught as an adjunct until 2017. She remembers students working out of just four chairs and later 12, and now beams with pride when she talks about the success of the program and the College, both then and now. “While we had what was considered modern equipment back in 1970, it is just incredible to see the state-of-the-art facility we have now,” Cunningham said. “My greatest pride is the students.

Their performances on State and National Boards have continued to be outstanding, and their pursuit of higher education has also been outstanding, as evidenced by many of our graduates going on to earn baccalaureate, master’s, doctorate degrees.”

Thanks to the 2020 Grant, the Dental Hygiene’s vitally important community-based clinic acquired additional digital radiography equipment and a server for patient record storage. These upgrades strengthened the efficiency of the clinic, enabled it to serve the community more effectively, and helped train students better than before.

T

he Hostos Dental Hygiene Unit is the most diverse dental hygiene program in New York State, graduating the highest numbers of Latino and African-American students.

Consistent with the College’s mission to be a resource to the South Bronx, the Dental Hygiene Unit offers free, comprehensive dental hygiene services for all members of the community in the ultramodern patient care facility. The contemporary clinic, housed on the ground level of the B Building, opened in 2005 along with the ultramodern simulation lab, a space equipped with individual mannequins and computer monitors that allow students to clearly observe the instruction and technique a professor demonstrates.

In 2015, the digital radiography equipment was installed, including a panographic unit, and in 2016 each student station in the patient care facility was equipped with a computer to provide students with experience using dental software programs commonly used in dental offices.

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Another decades-long staple at Hostos has been the Nursing Program, which began offering an AAS degree in 1980 and boasts Sonia Sotomayor’s mother, Celina, as a former student. Like many Hostos programs, dedication to innovation and modern techniques have kept this program thriving.

In 1990, under the direction of the late Dr. Elizabeth Errico, student performance on the NCLEX-RN examination dramatically improved; pass rates began exceeding regional and national averages. In 1999, Professors Dolores Hinds, Riesa Toote and Dr. Elizabeth Errico, created the Licensed Practical Nurse Program and in 2007, the late Dr. Christine O’Reilly began an evening/weekend Registered Nurse Program to expand its offerings.

Student hygienist and patient. The Dental Hygiene Patient Care Facility at Hostos Community College is a teaching unit that provides comprehensive dental care to the community while adhering to the most current sterilization techniques.

Nursing students from the Graduating Class of 2018 at their traditional Nursing Candle Lighting Ceremony.

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VISIONARY:EDUCATION Today, as Hostos turns 50, the College is proud to call many community-based healthcare entities across New York City partners. Hostos has served these institutions by offering fully trained and educated healthcare professionals. In turn, these institutions have provided quality career opportunities and contributed to College programs and initiatives. Hostos is fortunate to have visionary partners such as BronxCare Health System, WellCare Health Plans, Montefiore Medical Center, the New York State Dental Foundation and others supporting the Hostos mission.

As a way to serve the students and community better through its wildly successful Allied Health and STEM offerings— and because enrollment has nearly doubled since 2002 from 3,670 students to 6,835 students in degree programs—a plan to construct a new 170,000-square-foot Allied Health and Sciences Building Complex is being pursued.

The Allied Health and Sciences Building Complex will address space deficits and develop facilities with modern classrooms and science labs. The new complex will support the College's Allied Health programs in Dental Hygiene, Radiologic Technology, and Nursing by housing dental and wellness clinics. These clinics will provide students with practical experience. The community will receive wellness education and expanded services delivered through partnerships with leading health care providers.

Additionally, the building will house the College’s growing STEM programs that articulate with baccalaureate programs at City College and Lehman College, and new high-employer-demand Allied Health programs, such as Physical and Occupational Therapy.

“As faculty, we are all aware that the Bronx suffers from poor health statistics, meaning that the borough has more acutely and chronically ill people than all the other counties in the state,” states Professor Hamide Laucer. “When we educate students and follow the Hostos mission and vision, we not only impact the current Bronx health outcomes, we help individuals and their families rise above their current socioeconomic status.”

“T

he College’s symbiotic relationship to the South Bronx has allowed it to respond effectively and adapt programs and curriculum in numerous fields of study,” said Hostos Provost Christine Mangino. “Being innovative has clearly helped to make all of these advances possible. My firm belief is that our commitment to those we serve, coupled with an eye pinned to the horizon, will keep Hostos in the forefront for decades to come.

From the College’s early investment in Allied Health Programs, to its new Food Studies curriculum, Construction Technology Management, and STEM programs, Hostos identifies a way to make positive impacts. And that is when it truly shines…one student at a time.”

— CHRISTINE MANGINO Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

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With enrollment nearly doubling at Hostos since 2002 and an emphasis on STEM related studies, a plan to construct a new 170,000-square-foot Allied Health and Sciences Building Complex is being pursued. The Allied Health and Sciences Building Complex will address space deficits and develop facilities with modern classrooms and science labs. The new complex will support the College's Allied Health programs in Dental Hygiene, Radiologic Technology, and Nursing by housing dental and wellness clinics.

The proposed complex will serve as an engine for economic development located in one of the “opportunity zones” (South Bronx) identified by the New York City Regional Economic Development Council created by Governor Cuomo, co-chaired by the then CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein and consistent with the Applied Science Initiative launched by Mayor Bloomberg. With four major hospitals, the Bronx is an invaluable health care borough.

“The College’s symbiotic relationship to the South Bronx has allowed it to respond effectively and adapt programs and curriculum in numerous fields of study,” said Hostos Provost Christine Mangino. “Being innovative has clearly helped to make all of these advances possible.

My firm belief is that our commitment to those we serve, coupled with an eye pinned to the horizon, will keep Hostos in the forefront for decades to come. From the College’s early investment in Allied Health Programs, to its new Food Studies curriculum, Construction Technology Management, and STEM programs, Hostos identifies a way to make positive impacts. And that is when it truly shines…one student at a time.”

Conceptual Rendering of the future Allied Health and Sciences Building Complex.

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CREATING A NEW VOICE Because the design world is very critique based, we stress that communicating with their peers is as important as communicating with their professors.

They are finding a voice together. Our mission in Media Design is to create the message makers of the future so they are the ones telling the stories.

— Catherine Lewis Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Media Design Program

M

uch is being said about immigration, diversity, crime, poverty, and other social topics, that hit home in places like the South Bronx. Yet many times the voices of those who live in these very same communities get lost in all of the noise.

Rather than being bombarded by the same old voices, students are learning to express how they feel about their lives, their challenges and their dreams through the innovative curriculum and approach of the Digital Design & Animation major—part of Hostos’ successful Media Design Programs that also includes Digital Music and Game Design.

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VISIONARY:EDUCATION

RE-ANIMATING THEIR LIVES

Professor Andy London with student.

“Drawing helped me to gain more friends. It was a kind of visual communication that we all could share. It was like our own ‘arts culture.’”

— Victor Pinnock

Hostos 2015 graduate

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H

ostos Animation Professor Andy London opened up his Concepts in Animation class with a question: What is a morph? The concept of morphing — changing something into something else through small, incremental steps — is a basic fundamental piece of the animation process.

After observing his students critique each other’s work on a big screen, it became clear this principle theory also related to his students, as they transformed from animation lovers into artists themselves. Their interests and passions were palpable, and the talent was undeniable. After breaking down video examples provided by London, the students let their inner artists out and made “flip book” animations using sticky note pads. Sketching out their creations one page at time, the students flipped through their books, pencil tested them with iPhones, and evaluated each other’s work.

Most of the students in London’s weekly three-hour class work toward an Associate in Applied Science Degree, where they gain a strong foundation in motion graphics, animation, graphic design, web design, and more.

Technologically speaking, the students use the same modern equipment and tools the professionals use while gaining invaluable technological skills. For example, Hostos students utilize Dragonframe stop motion animation software, which is a staple used in Hollywood; TVPaint Animation 2D paint and digital animation software, another industry standard; and Cintiqs, which are monitors onto which students draw directly.

One alumnus who thrived at Hostos under London’s guidance is Victor Pinnock. A flip book art “master,” he used the technique to much success to learn and keep himself engaged with his art. Originally from Ecuador, he came to the United States at 13 and eventually landed in New York City. Facing language barrier and other personal and social obstacles, he said art—particularly Japanese anime and comics—helped him connect with others.

“Drawing helped me to gain more friends,” Pinnock, the 2015 Hostos graduate said. “It was a kind of a visual communication that we all could share. It was like our own ‘arts culture.’”

Pinnock said his aunt, another Hostos graduate who began her higher education journey later in life, became his inspiration to pursue a college degree.

“She studied social work at Hostos from 2007 to 2009 in her 40s. She recently finished her master’s and is a therapist working on her Ph.D. She started at this community college and is my driving force.”

After finding Hostos and the Digital Design & Animation major, he said flipbook art honed his animation skills. He almost became obsessed with it.

“I would work on flipbook art during my hour-and-a-half commute every day for three hours a day. I felt a bit uncomfortable on the subway, but it not only gave me something to do, it really helped my drawing and animation eye.”

After Hostos, Pinnock earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from City College’s intensive program, where he incorporated clay animation or “claymation” and the flipbook art skills learned at Hostos for a large music video project. He is currently debating whether to attend business school and eventually establish his own production company.

He has also found time to give back to Hostos. As an adjunct professor for College Now, he teaches the basics of digital design,

Victor Pinnok with his artwork in the New York City subway.

Photoshop, Illustrator and Premier Pro in his Digital Toolbox class.

Two students in which London has taken particular interest are Joanne Philius and her boyfriend, Leonard McClean, Jr. The studio artist and digital artist, respectively, work together to complement each other’s passions. They moved from Pennsylvania together, enrolled at Hostos to pursue their art and have thrived under the guidance of London and other professors in the program such as Debby Solomon and Wendy Cong Zhao.

Philius, a 25-year-old first generation Haitian-American, wanted to pursue a career in technology. Having also always enjoyed drawing, she is finding ways to bring her still images to life and allow them convey more feeling and emotion.

Animation mixed her passions perfectly.

“Hostos has allowed me to take my talents and apply them towards a career path. My visual communication skills have sharpened immensely, allowing me to express myself better,” Philius said. “In Visual Narrative 1, I learned the dynamics of how to put together a compelling story. In Color Theory, I learned the true effect that color has on the world. And in animation classes, I’m learning how to compose it all together.”

Philius plans to graduate from Hostos, pursue a bachelor’s degree in Visual Communications or Motion Graphics, and travel the world to share her knowledge and her art. She is already on her way, having recently created a design company, “The Art Project,” with McClean, Jr. and other classmates that aims to help other artists obtain resources they need to be successful.

One project she is most excited about creating is a film with McClean, Jr. that tied for first place at Hostos’ student show. Titled, “Animation Tug of War,” the film was inspired

by a hip-hop musician who used their video as part of his single release.

“That really made the project even more fun and intense, but purposeful,” Philius said. “I was excited because the project pushed me out of my comfort zone and I did some things I didn’t know I could do. It was very exciting to watch the film evolve and take real teamwork.”

H

ostos’ Animation major was born in 2008. Professor Andy London came

to Hostos in 2013 to expand the program.

Since then, it has produced a roster of award-winning films and students going on to attend programs at the School of Visual Art, Art Institute of Chicago, Parsons and NYU.

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ANDY LONDON’S Screening Tips for Animation Students What animation technique(s) does the film use?

What sound elements does the film use?

What type of story does the film use?

What kind of art style is it?

Professor Andy London and Associate Professor Catherine Lewis with students of the Media Design Program.

A GOOD EYE FOR THE ART OF TEACHING ondon is a respected peer in what he describes as the small “everyone knows each other” world of professional animation. He is a writer, director, animator, educator and co-founder of the award-winning production company, London Squared. He has been creating graphic novels, films, art installations and animated content since 1992.

London’s award-winning films include “Subway Salvation,” “The Backbrace,” “A Letter to Colleen,” and “Lost Tribes of New York City.” His films have screened in hundreds of festivals including the Tribeca Film Festival, Annecy and the Ottawa International Animation Festival. “Subway Salvation” won the audience award at the Florida Film Festival. “A Letter To Colleen” received a Cine Golden Eagle and “Lost Tribes of New York City” was featured in the MoMA show “Talk to Me,” an exhibition on the communication between people, technology and objects, curated by Paola Antonelli.

His work at Hostos is also being noticed, as he received two PSC CUNY grants for Hostos junior faculty in 2015 and 2017 for the animation projects, “149th and Grand Concourse” and “The English Teacher.”

“149th and Grand Concourse” screened in 49 international festivals and won Best Documentary Film at the 15th Arouca Film

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Festival in Portugal and Best Direction at India’s 2nd Chhatrapati Shivaji International Film Festival.

“The English Teecher” is currently scheduled for release in early September. It will premiere at Takumen LIC, a popular Long Island City restaurant that will also feature screenings and exhibits. The film is almost fully animated, and this summer he will edit, redo a few scenes, and complete sound design with Hostos graduate, Steven Ramos. London will then add color with the help of current Hostos animation majors.

Catherine Lewis is an Associate Professor and current Coordinator for the Media Design Program. She has literally watched the program grow up.

Starting small, the first semester in 2009 welcomed nine students majoring in Design and Animation. Digital Music and Game Design were added later, with the former attracting artists like Jay-Z and Fat Joe to campus.

Lewis credited fellow pioneers of the program, such as professors Rees Shad, Sarah Sandman and others, with instilling and following a vision to model all three of the majors off the industries themselves.

“We put a great deal of importance on group projects,” Lewis said. “Someone who is studying web design can feature music and animation in their work. We want to make sure they get real world experience. Because the design world is very critique based, we stress that communicating with their peers is as important as communicating with their professors. They are finding a voice together. Our mission in Media Design is to create the message makers of the future so they are the ones telling the stories.”

VISIONARY:EDUCATION

FACULTY PROFILE: WENDY CONG ZHAO Helping them understand how they can accomplish a lot on their own in terms of making a high quality film, especially when they don’t have access to teams of artists and other professionals the way an animation studio would have…”

P

WENDY CONG ZHAO Professor Media and Design Unit, Humanities Department

rofessor Wendy Cong Zhao is another accomplished and respected artist teaching animation at Hostos. Anyone entering her night class will likely be treated to an in-class animation festival, as students bring in their work to be viewed and dissected by the teacher and their peers.

Outside of Hostos, she is a full-time producer in an independent animation studio, Bill Plympton Studio, in Manhattan. There, she helps produce animated short films, feature films, and commissioned projects. She works with director Bill Plympton, who has been nominated twice for an Oscar for his animated short films. She has also produced commissioned projects for clients including ESPN, The Simpsons, The New York Times, blues rock musician Jackie Greene, and more. She found Hostos through London, and has been helping give other students a taste of the animator’s life since fall 2016.

Her Digital Design Motion Graphics & Animation Production class introduces students to animated short film production through the use of current industry standard software. Students gain insight into making both independent and commercial animated shorts through critical viewing, lectures, in-class exercises, and creative projects that will help them excel in communications and prepare them for careers in business and industry.

During one class, several short “animatics” were screened, which showed off a wide range of animation skills and interests.

“My goal in this class is to teach students the entire production workflow involved in making a one-minute film—working with them from the initial conception of an idea to storyboarding, animatics, animation, coloring, editing, sound and music, and final cut,” Zhao said. “My secondary goal is to teach the students how to use Photoshop and After Effects, both of which are industry standard software. My students are creating their films through the software and with the many techniques I will teach them in class.”

Aside from the technical skills she can teach, Zhao enjoys supporting the next generation of artists in the Bronx.

“The benefit of working with the students is helping them realize their own ideas for films. Helping them understand how they can accomplish a lot on their own in terms of making a high quality film, especially when they don’t have access to teams of artists and other professionals the way an animation studio would have,” Zhao said. “I believe the students are often intimidated by the idea of completing a film and one benefit for them is to learn how to take on the work as an individual, and efficiently produce a short film with minimum outside assistance. I’m teaching them to be independent artists. Animation is a very empowering medium because the students are not limited to actors, set design, weather conditions, anything that would be involved in live action filmmaking. They can voice themselves and their imaginations through their art in their own style. They can see their own drawings come to life which is an empowering and encouraging thing for them.”

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VISIONARY:EDUCATION

FESTIVAL GROWS INTO A HUGE LEARNING TOOL

A

ndy London not only encourages his students to enter their work in animation festivals and post on websites such as www.loopdeloop.org, he began his

own animation festival titled the “DUM-D” (dum-d.com) Festival, to hone their skills as creators and critics. DUM-D uses artists, animators and designers from the College to run an annual Student Animation Festival that showcases the best new animators from not only Hostos, but other colleges and artists from around the globe.

Starting small in 2015 from the College’s Black Box Theater with approximately 50 submissions, today it attracts more than 100 a month from all over the world. Students take on a lot of work, producing films, bumper commercials and content for the festival, but they also watch and rate other artists’ work.

This fall, the festival will focus on the issue of diversity and include animated documentary pieces inspired by Deferred

Regular

Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students, as well as undocumented immigrants and students from ArTech and the Melissa Riggio program.

Best Hostos Film award winner, Josué Advincola with his mentor Debra Solomon after the award ceremony.

The festival is also gaining recognition and star power, as Bill Plympton, the animator and filmmaker best known for his 1977 and 1987 Academy Award-nominated animated shorts “Your Face” and “Lucas the Ear of Corn,” judged the competition in 2017.

“The DUM-D Festival has attracted new faculty and offered students so many opportunities, from internships with influential animation directors to collaborations with animation students from other programs to fostering relationships with alumni, recent grads and current students,” London said. “The students have really become the driving force. Current students are

Q&A after one of the festival screenings. From left to right: Pablo Martínez (Hostos Alumnus), Mitch Wood (Pratt Institute), Thomas Saudi (Hostos student), Charlie Parisi (Ringling College of Art and Design) and Andy London.

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learning to create and judge and recent graduates are gaining invaluable experience to help with their careers.”

ANIMATION FESTIVAL POSTERS

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VISIONARY:EDUCATION

Professor Andy London and his students at Harvard University.

FROM HOSTOS TO HARVARD

A

ndy London does not only strive to teach his students to be great animators and artists, he seeks to expand their horizons.

He accomplished that, and then some, when he organized a trip to Harvard University on April 27. London teaches Introduction to Animation at the prestigious campus in Cambridge one day a week and thought it would be a good idea to expose both cohorts to each other’s lives and art.

A total of 16 Hostos students plus three alumni, including Victor Pinnock, who is now an adjunct teaching Game Design at Hostos, made the trip to co-screen their animation projects with those of Harvard students. London explained that while the Introduction to Animation classes he teaches at both Hostos and

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Harvard as a periodic visiting lecturer, are essentially the same, the experience is different.

“Both sets of students come to the table with different advantages and disadvantages. And, neither group, even with clear advantages, is ‘better’ or ‘worse’ than the other,” London explained. “Generally speaking, Hostos students go to school and work full-time, while most of my Harvard students only need to focus on school. My Hostos students frequently live at home and have to contribute rent. Most of the Harvard students I’ve encountered live in dorms. Hostos students are frequently immigrants or first generation Americans and are the first in their family to attend college.”

When the two groups of students met to view the joint screening, it was clear that despite their differences, they possessed the same talent and same passion for their art. Part of the projects also dealt with interpreting various questions dealing with immigration and race issues, which made the day timely and telling. The projects were a mix of styles—from stop motion with claymation to motion graphics with typography and animated and logos— and they relayed senses of optimism, pessimism, even humor.

Photos by Devanie Rosario

The experience was an eye-opener for all involved, as they discovered that no matter your background or college of choice, it takes extraordinary dedication to be an animator.

Recent Hostos graduate Jesse Stephen made the trip to Harvard and screened his work. He said the process itself taught him a lot about himself.

“I have convinced myself that I can push through the hard stuff and move on,” Stephen said. “As for this trip, it was a great experience.”

The trip was also made possible by Harvard’s Ruth Lingford, Senior Lecturer on Visual and Environmental Studies, who helped bring London there. They brainstormed the first-time trip and plan to do more.

“It was fun to see just how similar and different the results were,” Linford said. “This was a fun and exciting project that showcased the level of talent all the students possess. There was a special energy to each animation, but I couldn’t tell which students did what. What comes through is that passion for creating something that takes so long. It really is a labor of love.”

London agreed that for all their differences, his students are more alike than one might think.

“What both sets of students share in common are bouts of fear and anxiety, often in the area of ‘performance,’” London said. “I have encountered Hostos animation students who are afraid to take a subway to Manhattan, attend an industry event or call a production studio to set up an informational interview.

I have met Harvard students with debilitating fears of ‘screwing up.’ On the surface, Harvard students and Hostos students are vastly different. But I find if you can dig through the barriers of class and race, they’re not that different at all. If you provide students the tools they need to make whatever they need to make, emotional support, creative and technical support and a sense of healthy competition, they are almost sure to succeed whether they attend Harvard or Hostos.”

The Hostos animators who traveled to Harvard were: Manon Balta, Erick Villareal, Cynthia Velázquez, Frankelly Plata, Tenzin Yougal, Victor Pinnock, Damarrius Thompson, Jesse Stephen, Naomi Clermont, Amaris Owens, Ana Ortega, Axel Peña, Ronaldo Richards, Gayane Sarkisyants, Phoenix Garay, Devanie Rosario, Jacqueline Rivera, José D. Muñoz Vega, and Jesús Gálvez.

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©Marisol_Diaz_2016

SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 4 – 7, 2018

TENTH BIENNIAL

www.hostoscenter.org

Eugenio María de Hostos Community College Foundation

ANNUAL 12Scholarship Fund th

Golf Outing Classic

SAVE THE DATE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Courses, Bronx, New York IN SUPPORT OF STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND THE EDUCATIONAL MISSION OF THE COLLEGE Connect with us at:

c HostosCC d @HostosCollege f HostosCollege #Hostos50 www.hostos.cuny.edu

Explore

STEM pathways at Hostos

Hostos Community College offers Associate in Science (AS) degrees in Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical and Environmental Engineering.

ax2 + bx + c x2 y

MATHEMATICS ASSOCIATE DEGREE The Associate in Science degree in Mathematics consists of courses which allow students to pursue further education and careers in Mathematics, Statistics and Mathematics Education. The program is a traditional science and mathematics program designed to articulate with any baccalaureate degree institution, CUNY or private. The proposed program includes the course work required in the first two years of a baccalaureate degree in mathematics.

LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCE ASSOCIATE DEGREE

FORENSIC SCIENCE ASSOCIATE DEGREE

The requirements for the Associate in Science Degree makes it a versatile and appealing field of study for students planning to enter professions in the sciences, including Medical, Health or Science Education programs. The concentration provides students with the first two years of study required to enter science related majors and or minors at the senior college level.

The Associate in Science (AS) degree in Science for Forensic Science is a joint dual admission program with the existing Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. This is a growing field as science and technology are essential resources in the criminal justice sector.

These majors are jointly registered, dual admission programs with the existing Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degrees at The City College of New York’s Grove School of Engineering (CCNY’s GSoE) of CUNY. The engineering majors have been designed to meet the licensure guidelines of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and provide Hostos students with the same curriculum as the first two years of the licensure qualifying program required at The City College of New York. Upon successful completion of the lower division at Hostos, students have a seamless transition to the upper division of the baccalaureate program at CCNY.

DualDegree DegreePrograms Programs Dual Division of Academic Affairs Division of Academic Affairs www.hostos.cuny/dual-degrees www.hostos.cuny.edu/dual-degrees

Class of 2017

Hostos is committed to continue to help our alumni with their professional and academic goals.

The Hostos Alumni ID Card is your passport to many benefits after graduation. The Alumni ID Card also gives Hostos graduates access to selected services at Hostos.

Smith, Antony R.

05211701234567890

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

To obtain your Alumni ID Card, please visist:

Office of Alumni Relations 120 E. 149th Bronx, NY 10451

ALUMNI

of the City University of New York

ALUMNI NOTES

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? HOSTOS STEM STANDOUTS MAKE THEIR MARK

DR. MIRKEYA CAPELLÁN’S HOSTOS JOURNEY COMES FULL CIRCLE

A

NAME: Mirkeya Capellán STUDIED: Liberal Arts (Class of 1990)

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ttending Hostos was a life-changing experience for Dr. Mirkeya Capellán. She emigrated from the Dominican Republic in 1987 and did not speak any English when she began her journey at the College. Eager to learn the language and utilize the resources at her disposal to achieve her goals, Dr. Capellán enrolled in an entry-level ESL course and later advanced to the ESL Intensive Program. She graduated from Hostos in 1990 with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts.

“I’m very grateful to Hostos for the education and opportunities provided to me,” Dr. Capellán said at the College’s 50th Scholarship Benefit on April 19, during which she received the Alumni Excellence Award. “Especially for finding my soulmate, my husband, Nelson Azcona, whom I met in my math class while pretending not to know algebra equations.”

The proud mother of three also thanked her mentors, Dr. Bette Kerr and Dr. Lewis Levine, for their support, guidance and wisdom throughout her career, sharing that they have been instrumental in her personal and professional life.

After Hostos, Dr. Capellán earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Hunter College in 1994. She continued her educational journey at Pace University, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Information Systems in 1998 and, 12 years later, her Doctorate of Professional Studies in Computing.

Dr. Capellán is currently responsible for IT Training, Resource Management and Strategic Projects at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. Corporate office in Atlanta, GA. She is also an adjunct professor at Pace University where she teaches undergraduate courses in computing. The Hostos alumna is a frequent guest speaker at professional conferences that foster leadership and professional development among minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, and she is also an active member of professional groups including: Latinas in Computing (LIC), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), Black Girls Code (BGC), American Association of University Women (AAUW), Software Test and Performance, and Systers ABI.Atlanta.

NAME: Oluwafemi Ligan STUDIED: Chemical Engineering (Class of 2017) BACKGROUND: As a student growing up in Benin, West Africa, Oluwafemi was always interested in Science. After immigrating to the United States, she settled in the South Bronx and applied to Hostos after learning the College offered numerous STEM-related majors.

HOSTOS HIGHLIGHTS: As a college student, she found extra work as a chemistry tutor while volunteering for the Hostos Student Leadership Academy. Her focus and dedication to her studies enabled her to enjoy academic success at the highest level. She thrived at Hostos, winning the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Award, two Science Olympiad Competitions in Chemistry, and making Dean’s List in 2017.

WHERE IS SHE NOW? Oluwafemi is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree from the Grove School of Engineering at The City College of New York. She also recently earned an internship at the ExxonMobil Chemical Company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Aside from continuing her volunteer work for the community, she would like to earn a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. She eventually hopes to one day work in the oil or pharmaceutical industry as a bio-tech engineer.

NAME: Maskana Adedjouman STUDIED: Civil Engineering (Class of 2014) BACKGROUND: A native of Togo in West Africa, Maskana immigrated to

the United States in 2010 and began looking to enroll in colleges. He was drawn to Hostos’ STEM curricula, because it offered a smooth transfer of credits to the Grove School of Engineering at The City College of New York, another CUNY college.

HOSTOS HIGHLIGHTS: A major turning point was joining the Student

Leadership Academy, where he found a mentor in Director Jason Libfeld.

It was there that Maskana empowered himself and his fellow students.

He volunteered for numerous groups and was the founding President of Hostos’ Supplemental Instruction (SIC) Club, which works with students to improve their math skills. Maintaining a 3.95 GPA, he also joined the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and won numerous awards, grants, and scholarships before graduating with an Associate Degree in Civil Engineering. He later earned a Bachelor’s Degree and graduated with honors from Carnegie Mellon University in 2017.

“When I first arrived in America, it was really difficult for me being that I didn’t speak English well, but Hostos was like a family to me. The College was always there to help me through whatever difficulties I was having.”

WHERE IS HE NOW? Adedjouman is pursuing a Master’s Degree in

Engineering from Lehigh University.

“I want to use my engineering knowledge to help solve the problems that face mankind.”

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ALUMNI NOTES NAME: Ángel I. Cuevas Rodríguez STUDIED: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (CLASS OF 2014) BACKGROUND: Ángel was always interested in cars, planes, machines—anything mechanical. Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he immigrated to the South Bronx and began looking for colleges. In 2011, Ángel found Hostos to be the perfect place to start his engineering career.

HOSTOS HIGHLIGHTS: Ángel enjoys helping others. He has earned extra money as a tutor while volunteering for charity work. He won an Hostos Alumni Speakers Bureau (ASB) Award for his outstanding service as a motivational speaker at the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP). He also was a Hostos Engineering Honoree in 2017.

WHERE IS HE NOW?: Ángel attended New York City College of Technology where

he made the Dean’s List. He later turned his passion for mechanical engineering into a great career, serving his country admirably at Naval Air Systems Command Division of the United States Navy in Lakehurst, NJ. As a Mechanical Engineer for the Test Division, he is responsible for aircraft launch and recovery systems and applications—a job that requires skill, knowledge, and lots of responsibility to ensure both employee and civilian safety. He would like to earn a Master’s Degree in Engineering and continue to volunteer.

“As a student at Hostos, I found that the best path for me was in the field of Mechanical Engineering. The Dual-Degree Program with City Tech was the perfect fit for me and got me where I am today.”

NAME: Wendy P. Fernández STUDIED: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (CLASS OF 2015) BACKGROUND: Wendy hails from the Dominican Republic and came to America

in 2014. She enrolled at Hostos that same year, because she has always loved engineering and has strived to be a role model for other young women interested in STEM.

WHILE AT HOSTOS: Few engineering students have thrived at Hostos like Wendy.

Her English was not strong when she started, but she took advantage of programs like Hostos’ Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) and other support services.

Once her foundation grew stronger, she took off. She was recognized at the 2015 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)—one of the largest, professional conferences for underrepresented minority students and other under-represented groups. In 2016, she attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Summer Program in Biology and Neuroscience. The 2015 Hostos Valedictorian, who also found time to be President of the Physics and Engineering clubs, credits professors like Fulbright Award-winner, Dr. Yoel Rodríguez, for mentoring her and showing her she could be anything she set her mind to.

WHERE IS SHE NOW? Wendy is currently studying at City College’s Grove School

of Engineering, as part of Hostos’ Dual Degree Program. Since 2017, she has also been busy conducting research at Columbia University, exploring “Enhancing Voice Localization by Shaping Audio Features Using Filters and Time-Delay Estimation,” and participating in Columbia’s Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium. Always wanting to learn more, she is also busy interning at Intel in Folsom, California, working with the Non-Volatile Memory Solutions Group from May 29 to August 24.

She plans to finish her undergraduate degree in December and apply to graduate school in the fall.

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SAVE THE DATE FIRST ANNUAL HOSTOS

ALMA MATTERS AWARDS Honoring Graduates Who Make a Positive Impact

October 5 at 5:30 p.m.

Hostos Community College A-Atrium, A-Building Followed by Opening of BomPlenazo at the Hostos Main Theatre Presented by the Alumni Relations Office and the Division of Institutional Advancement

For additional information please email us at

For additional information please email us at alumni@hostos.cuny.edu or call 718-518-4180 alumni@hostos.cun y.edu or call 718-518-4180 Alumni Relations Office Division of Institutional Advancement 500 Grand Concourse, D-214 Bronx, NY 10451

HOSTOSHAPPENINGS

2018

LISANETTE ROSARIO Director of Career Services, Hostos Community College.

Winter Commencement Speaker.

THE HONORABLE MICHAEL BLAKE NYS Assembly, 79th District.

Winter Commencement Speaker.

LUIS SALGADO Director, Choreographer and Educator.

Spring Commencement Speaker.

WINTER AND SPRING COMMENCEMENTS

Valedictorian Andrelle G. Jeffers

Salutatorian Awilda Rosado

I

Salutatorian Swimi Kolancheril

n a 50th Anniversary year to remember, Hostos celebrated the achievements of graduates during multiple commencement ceremonies—two on March 2 in the College’s Main Theater and one on May 31 at City Center.

The 1,300 total students celebrated represented the most in Hostos’ history.

Keynote speakers at the winter ceremonies were Michael Blake, NYS Assembly, 79th District and Lisanette Rosario, Director of Career Services, HCC Alumna, 2001. The ceremonies were also attended by Fernando Ferrer, Board of Trustees/CUNY; Dr. Vita C. Rabinowitz, Executive VC and University Provost/CUNY; Mayra Linares-García, Board of Trustees/CUNY; and Loretta Martínez, General Counsel and VC for Legal Affairs/CUNY. Director, choreographer and educator Luis Salgado served as the Commencement speaker for the spring ceremony.

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Valedictorian Raz Rivera

Representing CUNY for this special anniversary commencement was Trustee Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, and Vice Chancellor Pamela Silverblatt.

Winter Valedictorian Andrelle G. Jeffers was born in the twin-island federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies. Her educational journey led her to the U.S. and, later, to Hostos, where she obtained her degree in accounting.

Salutatorian Awilda Rosado was a preschool teacher for 13 years prior to attending Hostos. The mother of three is now attending Hunter College and aspires to someday become a nurse practitioner. Swimi Kolancheril served as the Salutatorian for the spring ceremony. The accomplished STEM scholar will go on to study electrical engineering and minor in math at City College. Spring Valedictorian Raz Rivera will also go to City College, where the Israeli-born mother of two plans to pursue a degree in Public Administration.

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HOSTOSHAPPENINGS

Hostos Celebrates

its First President, Dr. Nasry Michelen

On February 22, Hostos saluted its founding president, Dr. Nasry

President David Gómez, Dr. Nasry Michelen, First Founding President of HCC; Dr. Marcos Charles, President of the Nasry Michelen Foundation; Cira Ángeles, Hostos Foundation Board Member.

Michelen, for his exemplary contributions as a public servant and lasting impact on the College in a ceremony befitting the institution’s year-long 50th Anniversary celebration.

The historic event paid homage to the Dominican-born doctor

Dr. Rafael Lantigua, Dr. Nasry Michelen, Dr. Aritmedes Restituyo, President of the Hispanic Health Professionals Association Inc. of NY Laureano Corniel

Hon. Consul Carlos Castillo, Consul General of the Dom. Republic; Dr. Nasry Michelen; Dr. Rafael Lantigua, Presbyterian Hospital and Eddie Cuesta, Executive Director of Dominicanos USA.

who was one of the founders of the College and part of a group of community activists who fought for better services in the South Bronx. Current President David Gómez, Nasry Michelen, Jr. and Nasry Michelen Foundation President Dr. Marcos Charles, among

Dr. Nasry Michelen with his two sons: Dr. Wally Michelen Nurys de Oleo, Senior Advisor to NYS Senator Marisol Alcántara; Dr. Marcos Charles, Dr. Amarilis Jacobo, Ana García Reyes, Hostos and Nasry Michelen, Jr. and other family members.

Associate Dean; Marilú Galván, Executivo Director of El Centro Cívico Cultural Dominicano.

others, delivered remarks during a ceremony held in the College’s A-Atrium.

The event was presented by the Nasry Michelen Foundation, Inc., Hostos’ Office of Community

Ruth Cordero de Peñate and Fernado Peñate with Dr. Nasry Michelen.

Provost Christine Mangino with Dr. Manuel Acevedo with Dr. Nasry Dr. Nasry Michelen.

Michelen.

Relations, along with the Division for Institutional Advancement.

Dr. Nasry Michelen with fashion NYC Department of Education Deputy designer Sully Bonnelly.

Chancellor Milady Báez and Ms. Leila Arbaje-Lembert, Administrative Manager at Columbia University with Dr. Nasry Michelen.

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VP Ana Martínez, Dean García, María Cano, Elvis Lockward and VP Nat Cruz. In the front: Dr. Nasry Michelen with President Gómez. In the back: José R. García, Fabián Wander and Raymond Pérez.

"REVIVAL: Contemporary

Pattern & Decoration" Comes To Hostos

In a first of its kind collaboration, El Museo del Barrio, Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, and the Bronx Council on the Arts presented “REVIVAL:

Participating Artists: in the photo; from left to right: Troy Michie, Deborah Jack, Remy Jungerman, Antonio Pulgarín, Marcus Zilliox, Wilfredo Ortega, Pierre Obando and Jessica Lagunas; not in the photo: Damali Abrams, Firelei Báez, Leonardo Benzant, Abelardo Cruz Santiago, Lionel Cruet, Ray Ferreira, Marlon Griffith, Alejandro Guzmán, Lee Jacob Hilado, Joiri Minaya, Cecilia Paredes, Freddy Rodríguez, Sheena Rose, Keisha Scarville, Mickalene Thomas, and Margaret Rose Vendryes.

Contemporary Pattern & Decoration” at the Longwood Art Gallery @Hostos this spring.

Curated by Rocío Aranda-Alvarado and presented as part of Hostos’ 50th Anniversary celebration, the exhibition explored a renewed interest in pattern and decoration by contemporary artists in various media that builds upon a movement that

Patrick Charpenel, Director of El Museo del Barrio.

John MacElwee, Director of the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture.

Viviana Bianchi, Executive Director, Bronx Council on the Arts.

developed in the 1970s, when artists began to explore the possibilities of pattern and focused on the repetition of color, line, and shape.

On April 4, the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture hosted an incredible opening reception for the exhibition, which was attended by participating artists and members of the Hostos community. The exhibition ran through June 6.

Rocío Aranda-Alvarado, Curator.

Vice Pesident Ana Martínez Orizondo, Artist and Hostos Alumnus Lee Jacob Hilado and President David Gómez.

Poet & Performer Caridad de la Luz and Richard Morales from El Museo del Barrio.

Hostos Foundation board member Rafael Rivera-Viruet and Director of Public Relations for Goya Foods, Inc., Rafael Toro.

Hostos Foundation Emeritus board member Bill Aguado and Antonio Pulgarín.

President David Gómez, Hostos Foundation board members Elba Cabrera and Carolyn McLaughlin.

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HOSTOSHAPPENINGS

On April 19, the Hostos Community

College Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Scholarship Benefit was held at Guastavinos in Manhattan...

Ten-time Grammy Award Winner Eddie Palmieri received the President’s Medal for his impact in the cultural arts and treated guests to a special performance.

The event raised more than $408,000 and was attended by distinguished guests, including the Benefit’s Chair and Director of Public Relations for Goya Foods, Inc., Rafael Toro (right photo). Funds will go toward student scholarships and help send members of the Hostos Repertory Company to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (left photo).

Dr. Mirkeya Capellán received the Alumni Excellence Award. The accomplished Hostos alumna is a leader in IT Training, Resource Management and Strategic Projects at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. corporate office, as well as an adjunct professor at Pace University.

President David Gómez, Dr. Mirkeya Capellán and Provost Christine Mangino.

The Spirit Award was presented to Philip A. Berry, former Vice Chair of the CUNY Board of Trustees and current Chief Human Resources Officer at the Clinton Foundation.

A longtime supporter of Hostos and CUNY, Mr. Berry is also Acting Chair of the CUNY Construction Fund.

Above from left to right: Hostos Foundation board members: Ana Martínez Orizondo, Jason Caraballo, José Díos, Salahuddin Rajput, Dolores Batista, Chairperson José A. Sánchez-Kinghorn, President David Gómez, Carolyn McLaughlin, Elba Cabrera, and Julio E. Reyes, Jr. Circle: Hostos Foundation board member Cira Ángeles

President David Gómez, Provost Christine Mangino, Senior VP Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne and Philip A. Berry.

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Co-Hosts: Mr. Joe Torres News Anchor & Reporter WABC TV NY and Ms. Caridad de la Luz Poet & Performer

Goya Foods Inc. Director of Public Relations Rafael Toro and guests (Presenting Sponsor).

Stavros Niarchos Foundation CFO Vasili Tsamis and guests (Presenting Sponsor).

Montefiore Medical Center (Diamond Sponsor) with Hostos President David Gómez.

Hostos Foundation Chair José Sánchez-Kinghorn, Thomas L. and Eileen Pulling and guests.

BronxCare Vice President of Development and External Affairs Bob Sancho and guests (Community Sponsor).

Popular Bank SVP, Retail Banking Manager John Funaro, VP Bronx Area Manager Julio E. Reyes, Regional Marketing Officer Adriana Forero and Regional Executive Paul Mak.

Henry Schein, Inc. VP Steven W. Kess; Benefit committee member, Dr. Amarilis Jacobo, NYS Dental Association guests; and guests.

The Martínez-González Family and guests Greg Pavin, Benefit Commettee member Angela Florentino and Acela Linares.

Queens College President Dr. Félix Elizabeth Velez, President Matos Rodríguez and President David Gómez, and guest.

David Gómez.

President of TheraCare John Calderón and guest with Hostos President David Gómez.

President David Gómez with President of Bronx Community College Thomas A. Isekenegbe.

Queensborough Community College President Dr. Diane B. Call and Timothy G. Noble.

President David Gómez, Raúl Russi and wife Rody Reyes-Russi.

ConEdison Director for Community Affairs Eric Soto and Hostos Foundation Board Member Carolyn McLaughlin.

Hostos Development Manager Idelsa Méndez, Dominicanos USA National Executive Director, Eddie Cuesta, Hostos Dean Ana García Reyes, Fernando Aquino, Hostos Board member Cira Angeles, President David Gómez and Dr. Marcos Charles.

Hostos SVP Esther Rodríguez-Chardvoyne, Rita DiMartino, Ana García Reyes, guest and Hostos AVP Dolly Martínez.

Miss NY and Hostos student Genesis Camila Suero.

President David Gómez with Cid Wilson, President and CEO, Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility and guest.

10

QUESTIONS WITH

KAYLA WILSON

T

he Hostos women’s basketball team just won its first National Junior College Athletic Association D-III Championship on March 19 in Rockford, Illinois. One of the stars of this incredible season has been Kayla Wilson, who was named MVP of the tournament, CUNY Athletic Conference and Region XV Player of the Year, as well as Spalding Player of the Year.

Learn more about what makes her keep striving for more.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.

What brought you to Hostos?

Hostos Head Coach DeVernie Winston brought me to Hostos to give me a tour of the school, and I fell in love with it. Everyone made me feel like I was at home, even though it was my first time visiting.

When did you start playing basketball, and what was it like winning a National Championship?

I don’t remember not playing basketball. Going to the national tournament was a tremendous experience. It was tough, but we banded together as a team, like we did all season long.

I am thankful for the individual accolades, but none of it would be possible without my teammates and coaches.

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Why basketball? Do you play other sports?

I do not play other sports. My mom tells me that even when I was little, I dreamed about playing basketball.

What is your favorite subject?

My favorite subject is English. I wasn’t always a great student, but recently, I have been working on becoming a better writer.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is definitely Oxtail with rice and peas. It is a Jamaican dish.

What do you do when you are not playing and practicing and studying?

I’m never not playing or studying. But when I do get a little extra time to myself, I try to catch up on sleep.

What do you like about Hostos?

I like that Hostos has many resources for their students and makes sure that everyone feels comfortable.

What is your favorite movie?

“White Chicks”

What are your long-term goals?

After Hostos, I want to go to a Division-1 school and major in Business Management. After that, I want to play basketball overseas in Spain. During my offseason, I would like to work with studentathletes from New York City and help them get into college.

Watch Kayla Wilson’s postgame interview just after the Caimans earned their first National Championship!

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Hostos Women’s Basketball Team Takes Home First National Title

T

he Hostos Community College women’s basketball team capped off its historic run with its first National Championship, after beating top-seeded Rock Valley, 58-52, on March 17 in the 2017-18 NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship in Rockford, Illinois.

“It is a great feeling to win a national title and I am so proud of my players for trusting the process,” Head Coach DeVernie Winston said. “They responded to every challenge with class, courage and a constant will to win. This historic accomplishment is not only great for Hostos, but for CUNY and the community at large.”

MVP of the tournament and CUNY Athletic Conference and Region XV Player of the Year, Kayla Wilson led the charge for the Caimans over the defending champions on their home court after scoring 22 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. She ended the 2017-18 season with 20 straight double-doubles. In the three-day tournament, the freshman averaged 27.3 points and 17.0 rebounds.

“Going to the national tournament was a tremendous experience,” Wilson said. “It was tough, but we banded together as a team, like we did all season long. I am thankful for the individual accolades, but none of it would be possible without my teammates and coaches.”

It was a remarkable season for the Caimans, who finished 28-2 and won 23 straight.

The championship game was a thriller, as Rock Valley gained an early advantage at the end of the first quarter with a 21-13 lead. Hostos bounced back and outscored the Golden Eagles, going into intermission with a 31-29 edge. Rock Valley out-dueled the Caimans in the third quarter to carry a 44-43 lead into the final period, however, the Caimans regained their composure and outscored Rock Valley 15-8, clinching their first NJCAA title.

The fact this happened during the College’s 50th Anniversary made the victory extra special.

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CAIMANCOUNTRY

Photo: Denis Gostev

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WHERE INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES FIND COMPASSIONATE, QUALITY SERVICES IN EVERY BRANCH OF OUR WORK PRIMARY HEALTH | BEHAVIORAL HEALTH | HOUSING | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONNECT WITH US: 300 East 175th Street, Bronx, NY 10457 (718) 299-1100

Our BronxCare Health System is proud to support Hostos Community College on providing its students with a promising future.

FACEBOOK.COM/ACACIANETWORK @ACACIANETWORK YOUTUBE.COM/ACACIANETWORK

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS Rita DiMartino, Chairman Cristina Toosie, Vice Chairman/Secretary John R. Colòn, Assistant Secretary Milagros Baez O’Toole, Assistant Secretary BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS Rose Robles Birtley Ricardo R. Fernández, PhD Barbara A. Lowe, RN, MPH Joseph Nedlin Harvey Newman Joseph Semidei Minto L. Soares PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Miguel A. Fuentes, Jr.

Congratulates Hostos HostosCommunity CommunityCollege Collegeononitsit’s Anniversary.

50 th Anniversary.

BESt is overjoyed overjoyed to andand BESt to join jointhe themany manyorganizations, organizations,including includingCivic CivicAdvisors Advisors Daly Gonzalez, González, in Benefit.

Daly in supporting supportingthis thisyear’s year’s50th 50thAnniversary AnniversaryScholarship Scholarship Benefit.

Now more more than Hostos so so Now than ever ever we we need needtotosupport supportcommunity communityinstitutions institutionslike like Hostos they can can in in turn of of they turn provide providethe thenecessary necessarytools toolstototrain trainour ournext nextgeneration generation leaders and and advocates. leaders advocates.

Congratulations to Hostos Community College on

50 Years!

A Bridge to Print Communication Phone: 703-914-0526

imlayintl.com

A SPECIAL THANK YOU! TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO DONATED AND WHO LENT THEIR SUPPORT TO

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT

THE

A salute to this year’s distinguished honorees:

Eddie Palmieri

Ten-time Grammy Award Winner Presidential Medal - Cultural Impact

Philip A. Berry Spirit Award

Dr. Mirkeya Capellán Alumni Excellence Award

A sincere thank you for your contributions and participation in this year’s event!

José A. Sánchez-Kinghorn & Jacqueline Henao

Friday, June 8

Sunday, July 15*

Oldies, Pop and R&B Favorites

Oldies, Pop and R&B Favorites

6:30pm at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center 3225 Reservoir East, Bronx O’dane Whilby’s Cardinal Theory

Friday, June 22 Latin Jazz

6:30pm at Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center 3225 Reservoir East, Bronx Peter Brainin and the Latin Jazz Workshop

2pm at Rockwood Drive Circle, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (Mosholu Ave. and Broadway) O’dane Whilby’s Cardinal Theory

Sunday, July 22 Beethoven Summer Serenades

2pm at McGinley Center, Fordham University, Bronx BAE Classical Chamber Music

Wednesday, July 4

Sunday, July 29*

A Salute to America and New Orleans Style Jazz

Urban Fado - Contemporary Jazz and Portugese Folk Music

2pm at Rockwood Drive Circle, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (Mosholu Ave. and Broadway) John Replogle’s “Hot Beignets”

2pm at Rockwood Drive Circle, Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (Mosholu Ave. and Broadway) Mary Ann McSweeney’s Urban Fado

Bronx Arts Ensemble, 80 Van Cortlandt Park S # 7-D2, Bronx • bronxartsensemble.org • 718 601-7399 This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with the City Council and the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

*Rain Date: Aug 5, 2018

WELLCARE HEALTH PLANS IS PLEASED TO SUPPORT

Hostos Community College on the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Issue of the Award Winning Caiman Magazine CAD_12419E_V1 Internal Approved 05182018

Dedicated to MAKING DREAMS A REALITY

in the Bronx

CITGO is proud to be part of this wonderful community, made up of people from all backgrounds, working tirelessly to make the impossible possible. We believe that hard work and determination will always lead to success, and we wish to congratulate this year’s Hostos Community College scholarship recipients for taking one more step in making their academic dreams a reality.

To find out more, visit www.CITGO.com. Š 2018 CITGO Petroleum Corporation