Tuesday, August 13, 2013 (Bronx, NY) – On July 25, six Hostos Community College students took center stage, along with CUNY Senior Vice Chancellor Jay Hershenson and Trustee Hugo Morales, at The Bronx Dominican Parade’s 24th Anniversary Awards Banquet held at Marina del Rey.

Faculty, Students and Honorees of Hostos Community College.

The students—Radhames Toribio, Adelyn Castro, Rosa Castro Colón, Fevidaury Valerio Arias, Lady Guerrero, and Jonathan Bocio De León—each earned $1,000 scholarships for outstanding academic achievement and service to the Dominican community. Assistant Dean Johanna Gómez and Associate Dean Ana García Reyes were also selected as “Madrinas” (Godmothers) of the parade.

Honorees, faculty and students of Hostos Community College.
 

Jason Libfeld, Coordinator of the Hostos Leadership Academy, accompanied the students to the event with Lillian Morales, Executive Assistant to the VP for Student Development and Enrollment Management, and Idelsa Méndez, Career Services Counselor. The President’s Office was represented by Victor Santana, Anny Paguay and Félix Monegro.  Also in attendance was Jose García from the Division for Institutional Advancement.

In addition to the CUNY students’ recognition, Senior Vice Chancellor and CUNY Board Secretary Jay Hershenson was recognized for his outstanding contributions and collaboration with the Bronx Dominican Parade organizers. Trustee Hugo Morales and Senior Vice Chancellor Jay Hershenson presented 15 CUNY scholarships to Gregorio Luperón High School and acknowledged six additional scholarship recipients from Bronx Community College and Lehman College.

Honorees, faculty and students of Hostos Community College
 

Assistant Dean Gómez thanked the parade organizers for selecting her as one of the “Madrinas” and for their continued support of the scholarship program. She praised the hard work and commitment of Mr. Felipe Febles and Mrs. Rosa Ayala. Associate Dean García Reyes encouraged the scholarship sponsors to continue supporting the students.

García Reyes, (a Dominican American), also spoke about the importance of Dominican culture in the United States, and particularly in the Bronx. The following are some of the statistics she provided:

  • The 2010 Census reported that more than 1.4 million individuals of Dominican origin reside in the United States.
  • Nearly half of the total U.S. Dominican population lives in New York City.
  • CUNY reports an enrollment of over 26,000 self-identified Dominicans students across the 24 colleges campuses.
  • CUNY Dominican Studies Institute (DSI) reported that in 2011 approximately 674,687 Dominicans live in New York State. Many of them live in the Bronx and attend the CUNY colleges in this borough.
  • Pew Research Center studies indicated that 28 percent of the Dominican population in the United States fall below the poverty level and are more disadvantaged than other Hispanics.

García Reyes also emphasized the importance of supporting Dominican students:

“Hostos has a high percentage of Dominican students, and most of them depend heavily on financial assistance to stay in college. Therefore, it is very important for us to provide the support they need to reach their career goals. The Yankees, 1199SEIU and American Airlines have contributed generously to the scholarship program through the Bronx Dominican Day Parade, and the Hostos family sincerely appreciates their continuing commitment to our students.”

About Hostos Community College:
Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change, transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968.  Hostos serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, and a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs.  The College’s unique "student success coach" program, which partners students with individualized guidance, is emblematic of the premier emphasis on student support and services.

Hostos offers 29 associate degree programs and 5 certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York (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. The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture (HCAC) is one of the pre-eminent Latino arts centers of the northeast. The HCAC has distinguished itself for showcasing traditional art forms as well as emerging and internationally renowned artists. Hostos Community College is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university serving more than 480,000 students at 24 colleges.

Media Contact:
Soldanela Rivera - srlopez@hostos.cuny.edu
Rich Pietras – rpietras@hostos.cuny.edu
Phone: 718-518-6872 or 917-627-9097 or 718-518-6513