Hostos students and staff members accompanied CUNY Board of Trustees Vice Chair Sandra Wilkin (blue blazer) during the parade. Other CUNY members and leaders joined her for this special occasion.

Hostos Community College participated yesterday in the National Dominican Day Parade (NDDP) on Sixth Avenue. In the over 40 years of history of the NDDP, this was the first time that a President of the Dominican Republic, a position currently held by Luis Abinader, attended and served as the Grand Marshall. Our College representatives marched alongside New York Governor Kathy Hochul and CUNY Board of Trustees Vice Chairperson Sandra Wilkin, who conversed with our students about their academic plans for the future.

Before the parade, Hostos President Daisy Cocco De Filippis and other staff members attended the Annual Dominican Day Parade Breakfast organized by Congressmember and friend of the College Adriano Espaillat.

President Cocco De Filippis (yellow blazer) spoke with multiple elected officials at the breakfast. From left to right, President Cocco De Filippis and Community Relations Dean Ana García Reyes (beige jacket) with Speaker of the New York City Council Adrienne Adams (left), New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Congressman Adriano Espaillat (center), and Mayor Eric Adams (right).
 

President Cocco De Filippis and her husband Nuncio De Filippis with NYC Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana Almánzar.

“I was truly delighted to be a part of a celebration that honors the rich history and culture of the Dominican Republic and its people in New York. As an immigrant in this city, a product of high-quality public education, and the first Dominican woman to serve as president of a CUNY college, I couldn’t be prouder to break bread and share our collective achievements with the colleagues, elected officials, and longtime friends who tirelessly continue to support our mission,” said Hostos President Cocco De Filippis. 
 

CUNY Trustee Wilkin engaged in conversation with Hostos students.
 

Trustee Wilkin, Ana Almánzar, and Dean García Reyes at the parade.


Besides participating in the NDDP, the College was also represented at events by the Gran Parada Dominicana de El Bronx in late July.  Accompanied by Hostos Dean of Community Relations and Gran Parada Dominicana de El Bronx Godmother Ana García Reyes, the Hostos delegates participated both in the gala and the parade. The College hosted the day-of breakfast at the Savoy Multipurpose Room on Sunday, July 30. Many parade and community leaders shared remarks at the early meeting, which powered up attendees before marching down the Grand Concourse and festively taking over many sections of the borough throughout the day.

Hostos students pose for a photo with Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Jr. at the Gran Parada Dominicana de El Bronx gala.

For his part, New York City Mayor Eric Adams hosted a Dominican Heritage Celebration at Gracie Mansion in early August.

“We thank Mayor Adams, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives and Hostos alumna Ana Almanzar, and Socrates Solano from the Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs for the warm welcome. Hostos representatives had a great time networking at this full-house event,” said Dean García Reyes, who also participated yesterday as a guest of honor in the post-NDDP celebration organized by Assemblymember and Hostos supporter Amanda Septimo.

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. 

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