The movie “Hidden Figures” has an important message that also mirrors the mission of Hostos Community College.
Nominated for “Best Picture” at this year’s Oscars, the wildly popular film chronicles the true story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, three African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit.
While their efforts were both extraordinary and unrecognized, Hostos possesses similar stories of incredible achievement that was born from opportunity. Meet one of Hostos’ female math stars who is following a similar trajectory.
ANALILIA MENDEZ: Began her studies at Hostos in 2014. The 20-year-old was born in Mexico, but she came to the United
States at 10. She is now enrolled in Hostos’ Joint Dual Degree Program with the Grove School of Engineering at City College, where she is studying Electrical Engineering.
Analilia will graduate with her associate degree in June 2016 and transfer to City College to earn her bachelor’s.
“I wanted to do something big. I really enjoy doing research, and I hope to continue that work as I strive toward a Ph.D."
Aside from classwork, Analilia works on research with Hostos Mathematics Professor Alexander Vaninsky related to curvatures and will also participate in an upcoming
Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) conference where she will put her engineering skills to the test.
Realizing that statistically women and minorities represent a smaller piece of the engineering workforce, she is determined to change that narrative.
“Women should be able to cover half, if not more, of the people in these fields,” Analilia said. We are just as intelligent, and now we are seeing our opportunities and running with them.”
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 for nearly half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been 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.
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.