Four Hostos Community College graduates, who were part of the 16th cohort of the Kaplan Leadership Program (KLP), have transferred to prestigious universities across the nation to continue their academic studies. Fatimah Bah, Yassine Gaye, José González, and Andre Watson have accepted admission to Cornell University, Princeton University, Rice University, and Yale University, respectively.

“Our students will never stop making us proud of their significant achievements. I am thrilled to see what they continue to do out in the world. Their success stories are proof of the excellence that characterizes our educational mission, which is centered on the principles of justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. No matter your circumstances or upbringing, all students should have fair access to first-rate education like the one we offer at our College. I am thankful to the KLP for sharing our common values on behalf of our students’ success,” said Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis.

Established in 2006, the Kaplan Leadership Program helps high-potential, low-income, and underrepresented community college students complete their associate's degree, successfully transfer and go on to earn a four-year bachelor's degree at the nation's most highly-selective schools. The program focuses on a holistic approach – providing extensive tutoring, academic advisement services, leadership, and career training, stipends for living expenses, and other resources and support to help them expand their personal goals and eventually attain leadership roles in their professions and communities. 

 
Fatima Bah — Cornell University

At Hostos, Fatima Bah majored in Mathematics. A KLP and Hostos Student Leadership Academy member, she transferred to Cornell University to pursue Civil Engineering. Besides being an active tutor in her areas of study, and a full-time mother, she has been a Plan Examiner Intern at the NYC Department of Buildings and a Research Assistant at the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) at Hostos. Last spring, she was one of the recipients of the prestigious Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which was only awarded to 60 scholars across the nation last year.

“I have been able to do so much in the time that I have lived in the United States, thanks in part to the support at my College and from the KLP,” she said. “I’m happy to know that nothing stopped me.” Fatima took advantage of all the Hostos and CUNY-wide opportunities available to her and her son, such as the Hostos Children’s Center, the Family Empowerment Program (FEP), and CUNY ASAP.
 
Yassine Gaye — Princeton University

Hailing from Senegal, Yassine Gaye had a vivid curiosity for science and numbers. She married her two passions by doing an associate degree in Chemical Engineering at Hostos. She served as the Valedictorian for the 55th Anniversary Commencement Ceremonies at the beginning of the summer and will now continue her academic path at Princeton University. Yassine started her U.S. journey in October 2020, at the height of the pandemic, and took her first online classes in Spring 2021 at Hostos. Despite the challenges, Yassine took advantage of every opportunity presented to her: she became part of the Hostos Engineering Academic Talent (HEAT) program, received services from CUNY ASAP, joined the KLP, and served on the board of the Student Government Association (SGA).
 
 
Yassine’s achievements are a testament to her gifts and her determination, but she acknowledges that her years at Hostos provided the support and guidance she needed to reach her goals.
 
 
 “If anybody is thinking of coming to Hostos, do it. You’re going to get supported beyond your expectations. You won’t find a school only but a team that will help you get to the highest level; you’ll be able to get anywhere,” she said.
 
José González — Rice University
 
José González was an active member of the Hostos community since the day he started his higher education journey. Always fascinated by finance, José served as the SGA President and actively championed student initiatives through campus leadership. He will continue his financial studies at Rice University in Houston, Texas. José was a 2023 Jack Kent Cooke semifinalist, the Vice President of the Reimagining Justice Club at Hostos, and a Social Media and Digital Marketing Intern at Meta/Facebook in 2022.
 
“Being a part of KLP at Hostos was a monumental opportunity that equipped me with useful skills and tools to transfer successfully to Rice. I hope my story serves as inspiration for future generations,” he shared.
 
 
Andre Watson — Yale University
 
Andre Watson is an advocate for urban communities of color and looks forward to addressing social issues by furthering his studies in public interest law at Yale University. A Criminal Justice major, he was a scholarship recipient and active member of the Point Foundation, volunteered with the Ryan White Program and Hear-to-Heart, and worked as an independent tutor for his classmates. Andre also participated in CUNY ASAP and made the Dean’s List for his graduation in Summer 2023. He currently serves his community as a home health aide.

 
About Eugenio María de Hostos Community College

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 over 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 one certificate program that facilitate secure transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. A two-time Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence finalist, 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 25 colleges.  

For inquiries, please email publicrelations@hostos.cuny.edu
 
###