Student voting actvity.With less than a week way from one of the most intense and high-energy presidential races, the Hostos community in collaboration with the Assisting Latinos to Maximize Achievement (A.L.M.A.) Club, Jerry Rosa, Director of Student Activities and Professor Lizette Colón hosted the “2016 Get Out And Vote,” mock debate on Tuesday, November 1. The goal of the event was to bring awareness to the Hostos student body on the importance of letting their voices be heard by casting their vote on Election Day, November 8.
 
The event held in the Hostos Café, opened with Provost Christine Mangino, who spoke to the student audience on remembering that every vote counts and the votes of college students (18 to 24) count for almost half of the total votes in the United States presidential elections. Following her opening speech both candidates Secretary Hillary Clinton (portrayed by Professor Alisa Roost) and Donald Trump (portrayed by Professor Rafael Mejía) entered the room in true presidential candidate fashion.
 
Professor Howard Jordan, who served as moderator, asked pivotal questions to both candidates—similar to the questions in the real presidential debate. The candidates spoke on controversial matters ranging from immigration to Planned Parenthood.
 
Students also had the chance to participate in the mock open forum format by asking questions to the candidate themselves, giving students a sense of empowerment for their freedom of choice.

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.

Hostos offers 29 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.