To celebrate the accomplishments of Hostos faculty and offer a venue for networking and sharing research, the Hostos Grants Office and Senate Grants Committee celebrated “Research Day” on the Bridge on March 18.

The event included 26 research posters that were presented by 32 Hostos faculty, as well as the work of undergraduate student researchers.

Special guests also attended the day-long information sharing session, including Megan Wacha, CUNY Scholarly Communications Librarian from the Office of Library Services; Effie MacLachlan, Ph.D., Director of Grants & Research Programs from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research; and Ron Nerio, Ph.D., Co-Director, CUNY Research Scholars Program from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.

Heidi Bollinger, Assistant Professor of English, who presented her research on “Racial Performance in the Fake Memoir,” called the event a great learning experience.

“It was wonderful to have the opportunity to share my research with my colleagues, to learn more about their work, and to find out more about the research resources available,” Professor Bollinger said. “Seeing the variety of research posters displayed on the bridge was just remarkable, and it deepened my admiration for the scholarship of my colleagues. I was very gratified by the lively interest and thoughtful questions I received from faculty across the disciplines about my research. Above all, I appreciated how the college recognized our work as scholars.”

Lourdes R. Torres, the Grants Administration Director at Hostos, said the bi-annual event gave Hostos academics the chance to take some time from their hectic schedules to exchange what they do outside the classroom, to relax with one another, and to share ideas with colleagues and guest speakers.

“The Hostos faculty is committed to our students and to this community; they also contribute to the academic discourse in numerous disciplines. They write, publish and are currently doing research in educational technology, global business, experiential learning, linguistics, mathematics, as well as food and plant life, cancer, diabetes and numerous other areas. This was our time to learn and teach and celebrate our accomplishments,” Torres said.

Petal Leuwaisee, Assistant Professor from the Allied Health Department’s Dental Hygiene Unit, said the event was also inspiring. She presented on “Dental Patients’ Willingness to Undergo HIV Testing.”

“Seeing all the posters and being exposed to all the great work that my colleagues are involved in was inspiring,” Professor Leuwaisee said. “And, let's not forget the students’ research posters — wonderful just wonderful! Hostos Community College is truly a special place.”

The Center for Teaching and Learning, Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of the Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance, also collaborated on this event.

About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. It serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College’s unique Student Success Coaching Unit provides students with individualized guidance and exemplifies its emphasis on student support services.

Named one of the top 10 finalists for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Hostos offers 27 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 24 colleges.