From left to right, four student scholars pose with Gladys Bruno, Jobs Committee Coordinator from 1199SEIU, and Marina Esquilín, Hostos Scholarship Coordinator.
Hostos Community College wrapped up its Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations with the 9th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Distinguished Latina Leaders and Student Scholars Awards Ceremony. The event paid tribute to accomplished Latina leaders from diverse sectors, including government, business, community leadership, and education, and recognized exceptional student scholars by awarding them scholarships.
Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis extended a warm welcome to the guests and expressed her joy at the opportunity to honor the leaders. The President was especially pleased with granting scholarships to the accomplished students.
“I am delighted to see their efforts affirmed and rewarded. I know I speak for their instructors, families, and friends when I say how very proud I am of what they’ve done – and of what they’ll do in the days and years to come. I congratulate them and our other honorees and wish them all the very best,” she said.
The event was graced by the presence of Latina honorees Elizabeth de Léon Bhargava, Assistant Secretary for Administration at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Elizabeth Figueroa, Associate Vice President for Community Relations at the New York Botanical Garden; Verónica Ramírez, Executive Director of Casa Puebla in New York and New Jersey; and Eunice Santiago, President and CEO of the New York League of Puerto Rican Women.
Additionally, the event featured notable figures such as Karines Reyes, District 87 New York State Assemblymember; Fidel Malena, the Bronx Regional Representative for the New York State Executive Chamber; Gladys Bruno, who serves as the Jobs Committee Coordinator at 1199SEIU; and Jasmin Sánchez, Hostos Student Government Association Senator. The gathering also included numerous members of the Hostos President's Executive and Extended Cabinet, senior management, faculty, staff, and students.
De León Bhargava took the stage as the event's keynote speaker, expressing her joy at being recognized in her home borough. She said, "Coming to Hostos is like coming home. I am a Bronx native and have admired the work done here for years." She addressed the student scholars directly, emphasizing the importance of having mentors and seeking guidance throughout their college journey. "Please ensure you have mentors and ask all the questions you have. Having them makes all the difference in your education."
One of the ceremony's standout moments was the presentation of scholarships to five outstanding Hostos students who have demonstrated exceptional academic qualities. These scholarships, awarded specifically to Allied Health students, were made possible through a generous contribution by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest healthcare union in the nation, which has been supporting our students’ educational paths for over 25 years.
The five recipients were Tashalee Pratt (Nursing), Brenny Feliz (Nursing), Yuka Terada (Nursing), Janeuris Rivera (Nursing), and Samiya Rifat (Dental Hygiene). Each will receive up to a thousand dollars to assist them in pursuing their degrees. These scholarships are awarded to full or part-time needs-based students with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Ballet Folklórico “México en la piel” opened and closed the ceremony with the vibrant colors and grace of Mexican traditional dancing, and set a festive tone for the celebration of Hispanic Heritage. The gathering was organized by Ana García Reyes, Hostos Dean of Community Relations, and Idelsa Méndez, Development and Individual Giving Specialist. It was sponsored by the Office of Community Relations, the Office of the President, the Division of Institutional Advancement, and 1199SEIU.
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 two 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.
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