Mission Statement:
The mission of the Committee on Sponsored Programs and Grants is to create opportunities for colleagues to develop creative ideas that support academic programs, student success, and institutional innovation, leading to collaborative efforts in the submission of grant proposals. It is intended as an engine to foment submissions of proposals in support of academic programs, student support activities, and philanthropy. Membership is appointed for a two-year term, which is renewable. The committee meets once a month during the academic year, or more frequently, as needed.
Below is an overview of the key accomplishments and initiatives undertaken by the Committee on Sponsored Programs and Grants (CSPG) in recent years.
Committee on Sponsored Programs and Grants Accomplishments
CSPG members supported the grand opening of the Hostos Research Center (HRC) in March 2023. The new space, located in C-130, serves as the hub for grants development, faculty-student mentorship, capacity-building workshops, research presentations, and special events.
Since March 2022, CSPG in collaboration with HRC has facilitated several in-person and virtual grant writing workshop series, beginning with the two-day virtual kickoff event with Dr. Anthony De Pass, expert grant development specialist. In Fall 2022, CSPG members conducted workshops titled “IRB Application Process, Research and Ethics” and “How a Tiny College in the South Bronx Wins the Big Bucks in Public and Private Grants!.” Additionally, they facilitated eight more workshops covering grant writing basics, researching funding opportunities, writing compelling narratives, budget and project development, and completing all the key steps for successful submission in 2023-2024.
CSPG members facilitated and presented at the Hostos Research Day in April 2023, with presentations from faculty across all disciplines.
CSPG members supported the launch of the new Hostos Research Center Scholars Program in 2024-25, which provided mentored research opportunities to students with Hostos faculty and CUNY Graduate Center Ph.D. students.
CSPG members serve on review committees for HRC funding initiatives:
ADELANTE (ADvancing Excellence in Liberal Arts, scieNces, Technology and Engineering) and
IDEAS (Innovating, Developing, and Executing Actions with Success)
Project Development Awards.
The ADELANTE grants provide funding up to $10,000 in support of proposals that address research, need-based initiatives, and transformative interventions across all disciplines. ADELANTE projects also involve students as research assistants, promoting faculty-student mentorship while offering students valuable hands-on experiences that can enhance their career development.
The IDEAS grants offer funding ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 in support of proposals that tackle institutional needs or current research questions. IDEAS projects receive seed funding to help develop grant proposals that can subsequently be submitted for external funding opportunities.
As of 2025, 33 IDEAS and 43 ADELANTE grants have been awarded. In 2024, the Hostos Research Center (HRC) showcased grantees’ work and experiences during an informative mini-conference.
Membership
| Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. |
Co-Chair, President |
| Yoel Rodríguez Fernández, Ph.D. |
Co-Chair, Professor and Chair of Natural Sciences |
| Andrea Fabrizio, Ph.D. |
Interim Provost and VP for Academic Affairs |
| Esther Rodríguez-Chardavoyne |
Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance |
| Althea Sterling, Ed.D. |
Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management |
| Evelyn Fernández-Ketcham, Ph.D. |
Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development |
| Colette Atkins |
Vice President of Institutional Advancement |
| Diana Kreymer |
Executive Chief of Staff and Deputy to the President |
| Babette Audant, Ph.D. |
Assistant VP for Institutional Effectiveness, Research & Assessment and Dean of Academic Affairs |
| Antonios Varelas, Ph.D. |
Professor in Behavioral and Social Sciences Department |
| Carlos Rivera |
Interim Associate Dean of Student Development |
| Charles Drago, Ph.D. |
Professor in Allied Health Sciences Department |
| Idelsa Méndez |
Development Officer |
| Jacqueline DiSanto, Ed.D. |
Professor and Chair of Education Department |
| Johanna Gómez |
Associate Dean of Student Life |
| Kelba Sosa, Ed.D. |
Director of Grants and Research |
| Michelle-Lee St. Marthe |
Associate Director to the Chief of Staff |
| Sofia Oviedo, Ph.D. |
Research Programs Director |
| Thomas Beachdel, Ph.D. |
Associate Professor in Humanities Department |
| Vacant |
Interim Dean of Academic Affairs |
| Victor Torres-Vélez, Ph.D. |
Associate Professor in Humanities Department |