Top row: Student honorees Monique Vasquez, Kimberly and Celin Feble, Jennifer Ansong, Monica Antwi, and Fabián Wander. Bottom row: Dr. Sofía Oviedo, Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, and Christeen Francis.

On Wednesday, July 31, the atmosphere was one of joy and pride as Hostos Community College President Daisy Cocco De Filippis hosted a celebratory lunch to honor the remarkable achievements of participants in the Families United in Education (FUiE) initiative.

The FUiE program is designed to encourage academic progress among family members attending the College, such as sisters, cousins, and parent-child pairs, by facilitating access to higher education. Recognizing that education is a family affair, the program provides comprehensive support to ensure that students can pursue their academic dreams. This includes scholarships for books, free tickets to culturally enriching activities like Broadway shows, and essential assistance such as MetroCards. Many students in the program would not be able to attend college without this much-needed support.

"We are celebrating today the importance of family and growing together as one. I appreciate the love and support that goes into this program and congratulate all involved," said Cocco De Filippis. To commemorate the occasion, she gifted all attendees copies of "Eagle Poem" by Native American poet Joy Harjo. The poem was beautifully read by one of the honorees of the afternoon, student Celin Feble. After the recitation, the President shared her personal connection to the poem, noting that it is important to her because it reminds her "that everything that is just is beautiful," a principle that guides the FUiE initiative and underscores the importance of providing essential support to help families fulfill their academic dreams.

The program is one of the founding initiatives supported by Ms. MacKenzie Scott's Gift: President’s Initiatives. This $15 million donation, the largest ever received by the College, has been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of FUiE. With these funds, the program has been able to provide more scholarships, resources, and opportunities to students, ensuring that more families can benefit and grow together by having access to high-quality, affordable education.

(L–R) Dr. Sofía Oviedo, Christeen Francis, student honoree Monique Vasquez, and Fabián Wander.

The lunch was a festive occasion, with participants sharing their journeys and successes over a delightful meal. Each story was a testament to the power of education and the resilience of families committed to improving their lives through learning. Each participant introduced themselves and expressed gratitude to the mentors of FUiE: Coordinator Christeen Francis, Director of Health and Wellness Fabián Wander, and Research Programs Director Sofía Oviedo.

“I want to thank Ms. Francis and Mr. Wander because they gave me a voice when I thought I didn’t have one. I love this school because they care about you, and I learned a lot. I am very proud of Hostos. And thank you, Dr. Oviedo, because you rock,” said student honoree Monique Vasquez. She will now pursue a bachelor’s in Health Administration at Lehman College and has received multiple scholarships to support her journey, including the Fashion Scholarship Fund scholarship and another from the New York League of Puerto Rican Women.

Both Francis and Wander were moved by Vasquez’s words and thanked participants for allowing both of them to provide guidance whenever they needed it. “You have to want the help we offer, and that makes all the difference. Thank you for letting us do that for you all,” noted Wander.

Another honoree and sister of Celin, Kimberly Feble, expressed how FUiE's support sustained her throughout her studies. “Without the guidance I received in the program, I wouldn’t even have a job. As a mother, there were many challenges, but thanks to this, I will keep going until I reach my destination.”

(L–R) Dr. Sofía Oviedo, Christeen Francis, students and sisters Celin and Kimberly Feble, and Fabián Wander.

Also in attendance, student honorees and cousins Jennifer Ansong and Monica Antwi, thanked the President directly for spearheading the creation of FUiE. “Thank you for leading the way for us to have this,” added Antwi.

After each participant’s remarks, Wander, Francis, and Oviedo presented certificates to all five attendees, who then posed for photos to commemorate the occasion. Lastly, Oviedo concluded the event by announcing the scholarship recipients for both Spring 2024 and those continuing into Fall 2024. Students who earned a GPA of 3.0 or above received $350, while those who achieved a GPA of 3.5 or above were awarded $500.

An impressive group of 12 scholars who could not attend the luncheon will also receive scholarships for their hard work throughout the academic year: Zaid Shaikh, Sohemabanu Shaikh, Basilia Dolores Silverio de Toribio, Joan Garcia Silverio de Toribio, Lian Ali, Rina Ali, Hanan Ghabash, Ohood Ghabash, Karitio Aicha Diarrassouba, Michael Tolbert, Alyass Farea, and Afnan Farea.

(L–R) Dr. Sofía Oviedo, Christeen Francis, students and cousins Monica Antwi and Jennifer Ansong, and Fabián Wander.

To learn more about FUiE, please go here.