Pedro Alvarez
 
On February 4, Hostos students, faculty and staff welcomed former student Pedro Alvarez, who shared advice and expertise in business and real estate during a wildly successful Alumni Speaker Bureau event.
 
Alvarez fueled his interests in business and accounting in the 1990s at Hostos, and after earning his bachelor’s degree, he opened his own business, the P. Alvarez Associates Corporation, in The Bronx. From there, he also became a successful real estate investor.
 
A mix of Hostos office technology, business and accounting majors attended the event and also enjoyed an orientation seminar hosted by business professor Sandy Figueroa.
 
Aside from his business expertise, Alvarez, who has also ran for public office, discussed the importance of remaining active in the community and helping those in need.
 
“When I first got to Hostos, it was a struggle for me to keep up,” Alvarez said, adding that he needed to work hard on his English speaking skills while taking classes. “Still, I was determined to succeed and made sure that studying was always my top priority.  Later, I started my accounting business with a few clients, and 20 years later, I still have all of them today. If you make sure and do everything you can for your customers, they will always come back.”
 
To be a part of the alumni speakers bureau
Nydia Edgecombe, Director of Alumni Relations Office, urges Hostos graduates who are interested in participating in the Alumni Speakers Bureau to visit room D-214, Monday-Friday, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or call 718.518.4180 for more information.

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 28 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.