Caiman Chronicle Magazine, V1, N1

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AIMANChronicle

The Quarterly Magazine of Hostos Community College

Hostos Alumna Wendy FernĂĄndez turns the tables on engineering trends Page 4-5

Hostos men’s basketball coach molds winners Page 2-3

More Inside:

Rocio Rayo, Hostos Adjunct Professor and Alumna: A Powerfully Positive Puzzle

Photo Credit: Romain Suinat

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April 2016 Volume 1, No. 1


“Locke who can play just about 40th ANNIVERSARY Thur | Apr 21 | 7:30pm | Repertory Theateris one of those rare players In honor of Women’s History Month, Momma’s Hip-Hop Kitchen and the Hostos Center join forces again for this important and popular

PAPO VÁZQUEZ & THE MIGHTY PIRATES TROUBADORS with Special Guests: Jerry Medina and Joe Locke Sat | Apr 30 | 7:30pm | Repertory Theater

(“In the Time of the Butterflies”) Tue | Mar 29 | 2:00pm | 7:00pm | Repertory Theater

Photo: David Flores

Bennyroyce Dance, the Brooklyn-based contemporary dance company under the artistic leadership of Filipino-American dancer and choreographer Bennyroyce Royon, performs three contrasting works including the premiere of “1000 Full Moons” set to a suite of music from Glenn Miller, Etta James and others.

Reserved Seating: $20 | Students and Under 18: $5

Photo: Stephanie Black

with anybody in jazz.” - The Kansas City Star Reserved Seating: $10 | Students and Under 18:anything Free

This free series is hosted by Joe Conzo Sr., a noted music historian, producer and author of Mambo Diablo: My Journey with Tito Puente. Presented by Hostos Community College: Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development. Information: (718) 518-6656

Sat | Mar 5 | 2:30pm Main Theater

MOMMA’S HIP-HOP KITCHEN VOL. 9: UNIVERSAL LOVE

Celebrating his 40th anniversary as a Latin Jazz artist, the always ebullient trombonist Papo Vázquez leads his band – the Mighty Pirates Troubadours in a special performance featuring two outstanding soloists – the acclaimed Puerto Rican vocalist / trumpeter Jerry Medina and vibraphone master Joe Locke.

“Royon has a unique choreographic voice and the dancers seemed to revel in his creation.” - Dance Informa Magazine

EN EL TIEMPO DE LAS MARIPOSAS REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL

FREE Community EVENTS

Sat | Feb 27 - Apr 30 | 11:00am | Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos

BesO

The tragic and poignant play about the Mirabal Sisters in the Dominican Republic during the Trujillo epoch is performed by the acclaimed Latino theater company.

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I. MEMBERS OF THE

Bennyroyce Dance's residency at Hostos Community College is part of the CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI), which is supported by The Mertz Gilmore Foundation, New York Community Trust, Howard Gilman Foundation, and the Harkness Foundation for Dance. CDI is spearheaded and administered by The Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College.

THE HISTORY OF LATIN JAZZ PART VI

Lincoln Center partners with “Locke is one of those rare players who can play just about kie Figueroa • Nayibe La Gitana • Orlando Marín • Frankie Morales • Papo Pepín anything with anybody in jazz.” - The Kansas City Star community-based organizations NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC uez • The in allSteve five ofOquendo New YorkMambo City’s Orchestra • Eddie Torres Dancers Admission for these events are free but tickets are required | Call (718) 518-4455

TITO PUENTE LEGACY PROJECT

www.cuny.edu/danceinitiative

10:30am Pre-performance arts

Lisa DuBois, Innocence, 2015

APR RELIVING THE boroughs toCherishing present thePALLADIUM memoriesERAof the Mambo era at the Palladium Ballroom withforthethemusic offamily workshop whole e Figueroa • Nayibe La Gitana • Orlando Marín • Frankie Morales • Papo Pepín Boro-Linc: aPuente, series of free Rodríquez and Machito along with songs of La Lupe and Graciela featuring some gement SAT Dancers ez • Theworld-class Steve Oquendo Mambo 11:30am New York Philharmonic performances andOrchestra • Eddie Torres of New York’s top Latin artists, supported by the most-talked-about new orquesta of the Very Young People’s Concerts: family workshops—right in your of the Mambo era at the Palladium Ballroom Cherishing the memories with the music of Bronx, with a special guest appearance by the internationally renowned Eddie Torres Dancers. Puente, Rodríquez and Machito along with songs of La Lupe and Graciela featuring ment neighborhood! “Allegro and Adagio” some s and Under 18: $10 For more information and public programs, please visit www.bronxarts.org

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Artists include: Seyi Adebanjo, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, Howard T. Cash, Elvira Clayton, Dennis RedMoon Darkeem, Lisa DuBois, Nicky Enright, Janet Goldner, Ijeoma D. Iheanacho, Imo Imeh, Hakim Mutlaq Inniss, Natasha R. Johnson, Nontsikelelo Mutiti, Ibou Ndoye, Eric Orr, Eto Otitigbe, Thurston Randall, Ibrahima Thiam, A.T.M Tijay, Osaretin Ugiagbe, Misra Walker and Tammy Wofsey.

BRONX:AFRICA is a multi-disciplinary and multi-modal exploration of the art, expressions and influences of African cultures and their impact as nationals mix and infuse. BRONX:AFRICA will explore and celebrate the influence of contemporary African cultures in the Bronx and reinforce connections among the many peoples of African descent, mixed heritage and migration-dispersion that call the Bronx home.

thistopunforgettable evening of Mambo. ofDon’t New miss York’s Latin artists, supported by the most-talked-about new orquesta of the Explore how tempo makesEddie musicTorres fun, with Bronx, withand a Cándido special guest •appearance by •the internationally - renowned Dancers. Camero Frankie Figueroa Nayibe La Gitana • Orlando Marín • Frankie Morales • Papo Pepín Free music, dance art for and Under 18: $10 selections from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake played Cita Rodríquez • The Steve Oquendo Mambo Orchestra • Eddie Torres Dancers Don’t miss thiscommunity-based unforgettable evening of Mambo. Lincoln Centeratpartners with organizations in all five of New York City’s boroughs to present all ages Hostos Center. Arts

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LeRonn P. Brooks, Exhibition Curator | Atim Oton, Curator, Community Engagement

Cherishing the memoriesofof the at the Palladium Ballroom with the music of Vicki Solá, Mistress of Ceremonies by members theMambo NeweraYork Philharmonic. workshops and Boro-Linc: a series oflive freeperformances world-class performances and Puente, family workshops—right insongs your Rodríquez and Machito along with of Laneighborhood! Lupe and Graciela featuring some Co-Produced by Richie Bonilla Artist Management Lincoln Center partners community-based organizations inofallNewfive oftopNew boroughs toispresent MajorCity’s support provided by The Andrew York’s LatinYork artists, supported byfortheBoro-Linc most-talked-about new orquesta of the W. Mellon Sat |with May 14 | 7:30pm | Main Theater Free music, dance and art for all ages at Hostos Center. Arts workshops and live performances Bronx, with a special guest appearance by the internationally renowned Eddie Torres Dancers. Boro-Linc: a seriesisof freeSeating: world-class Reserved $30 | Mezz:performances $25 | Students and Underand 18: $10 family workshops—right in your neighborhood! Admission FREE butOrch:tickets are Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of Mambo. in the Repertory Theater forall every Free music, danceCall and art for agesevent! at Hostos Center. Arts workshops and live performances required. (718) 518-4455

Main Gallery & Project Space

Longwood Art Gallery @ Hostos | February 3 – May 4, 2016 - FREE ADMISSION |

Theater Upgrades

Gallery hours: 12-5pm Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri

is FREE butTheater tickets arefor required (718) 518-4455 in Admission the Repertory everyCallevent!

our facilities to make your concert experience even more enjoyable, including new hand rails and carpet in the Main and Repertory Theaters.

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Photo: Stephanie Black

Admission is FREE but tickets are required Call (718) 518-4455

Photo: David Flores

Photo: Stephanie Black Photo: Stephanie Black

Lincoln Center partners with community-based organizations in all five of New York City’s boroughs to present NON-PROFIT Boro-Linc: a series ofOver free world-class and family workshops—right in your neighborhood! the last performances year, we completed ORGANIZATION Admission is FREE but tickets are required CallHostos (718) Community 518-4455 College / CUNY Free music, dance andsignificant art for all ages atimprovements Hostos Center. Arts workshops live performances to U.S.andPOSTAGE 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451 in the Repertory Theater for every event! PAID PERMIT NO.1284 BRONX, NY

I. MEMBERS OF THE CENTER EDUCATION: YETU II.II.LINCOLN CENTER EDUCATION: III. BATOTO LINCOLN CENTER EDUCATION:II.THELINCOLN III. BATOTO YETUIII.APR BATOTO 10:30am Dance and percussion NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC VILLALOBOS BROTHERSYETU APR workshop with company members arts Pre-performance artsDance THE BROTHERS APR 10:30am APR 10:30am Pre-performance APR 16percussion 10:30am Danceand andpercussion THEVILLALOBOS VILLALOBOS BROTHERS APR 10:30am

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SAT 11:30am Batoto Yetu workshop for the whole family workshop for the whole family PAPO VÁZQUEZ 9 workshop with company members 2 10:30am Pre-performance arts APR SAT workshop with company SAT 11:30am New York Philharmonic 11:30am The Villalobos Brothers Batoto Yetumembers (Swahili for “Our Children”), engages APR 10:30am Pre-performance arts SAT 11:30am Batoto Yetuinner-city youth about their African workshop for the whole Very Young People’s Concerts:family The Villalobos Brothers’ original compositions workshop the whole familyand arrangementsSAT 11:30am Batoto Yetu with music, dance, and “Allegrofor and Adagio” masterfully and for “Ourheritage SAT 11:30am The Villalobos Brothers Batoto Yetublend (Swahili Children”), engages folklore from Angola and the ExploreThe how tempo makes musicBrothers fun, with celebrate the richness of Mexican folk music for “Our SAT 11:30am Villalobos Batoto Yetu (Swahili Children”), engages inner-city African as well as other regions. TheMAY Villalobos Brothers’ selections from original Tchaikovsky’scompositions Swan Lake played with the intricate harmonies youth of jazz andabout their Congo, of the original New York Philharmonic. classical music. inner-city about theirandAfrican heritage withyouth music, dance, Thearrangements Villalobosby members Brothers’ compositions and masterfully blend and Major support for Boro-Linc is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Betty and John Levin, and Eugene and Emily Grant. Lead Corporate Support is provided by Time Warner Inc. FPO folklore from Angola the and heritage with music,and dance, celebrate the richnessmasterfully of Mexicanblend folk music and arrangements and ARTISTS AND PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE as well other and regions. with the intricate harmonies of jazz and Upgrades TicketsCongo, On Sale: folklore fromasAngola the celebrate theTheater richness of Mexican folk music Support for Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture programs are provided by the Over the last year, we completed Eugenio María de Hostos Community College Foundation, with public funds from the www.hostoscenter.org classical music. Congo, as well as Newother significant improvements of to jazz and with the intricate harmonies York Cityregions. Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts,

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Box Office: (718) 518-4455

NewTime York State Office of Inc. Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Office of our facilities to make Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Betty and John Levin,your and Eugene and Emily Grant. Window: Lead Corporate Support is providedtheby Warner Mon - Fri 1:00pm to 4:00pm

NYC Councilwoman María del Carmen Arroyo, the Office of New York State Assemblyman

and two hours prior to events José Rivera, and the Office of New York State Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo. enjoyable, including new hand railsBetty and carpet inJohn the Main and and Eugene andARTISTS he Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and Levin, Emily Grant. Lead Corporate Support is provided by Time Warner Inc. AND PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE Box Office Theaters. 718.518.4455 www.hostoscenter.org Repertory

Tickets On Sale:

Support for Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture programs are provided by the

& Grand Concourse María de Hostos Community College Foundation, with public funds from the www.hostoscenter.orgto 149th StreetEugenio ARTISTS PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE New York CityAND Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, Tickets Sale: Box Office: (718)On 518-4455 Hostos Center for the Arts andandCulture programs are provided theSupport New YorkforState Office of Parks, Recreation Historic Preservation, the Officebyofthe

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www.hostoscenter.org

Window: Mon - Fri 1:00pm to 4:00pm and two hours prior to events

Get Tickets Now! www.hostoscenter.org

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©2016 Hostos Community College

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Letter THE CAIMAN CHRONICLE:

A PUBLICATION BORN FROM OUR CAMPUS AND FOR OUR CAMPUS, AND BEYOND

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elcome to the premiere edition of The Caiman Chronicle, the new quarterly e-magazine published out of the Division of Institutional Advancement at Hostos Community College.

We hope you enjoy this look into the wonderful people and programs at Hostos. For the first issue, we wanted to showcase Hostos’ commitment to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for underrepresented students, so we talked to recent graduate Wendy Fernández, who is now studying Electrical Engineering at City College (CUNY). This issue also focuses on the people on our campus who, much like Hostos, have made it their mission to make the world a better place. Being a college born from the community and for the community, you will learn why Men’s Basketball Coach Marquee Poole and Adjunct Lecturer and Hostos alumna Rocio Rayo are just two great examples of the College’s commitment to its family outside of our walls. Much like Hostos itself, we hope this publication reaches far beyond our campus, as it looks to educate and inspire people about our important institution. We can’t do this alone, so whether you are a student, faculty, staff, alumni, or supporter, we welcome any ideas on how to tell Hostos’ story, one issue at a time. Enjoy our first issue, and please share it with your friends and colleagues. Thank you. The Division of Institutional Advancement

HOSTOS’ ACCELERATED STUDY IN ASSOCIATE PROGRAMS (ASAP) QUICKLY PROVING THEY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES

Since 2007, CUNY’s ASAP at Hostos has exploded in its numbers and today we are proud to announce that it is 783 students strong! ASAP continues to help students attain their goals and prosper, particularly underrepresented minority groups. ASAP, designed to help motivate community college students earn their degrees as quickly as possible, is not only experiencing phenomenal growth,

Hostos ASAP students have garnered the following:

but is showing tangible and substantial results in students’ performance, credits attained, graduation projections and career/professional development. ASAP graduates have moved on to senior colleges such as: Beloit College, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia, Fordham, NYU, Occidental, and Stony Brook. Graduates have pursued careers at prestigious institutions such as: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the United Nations.

■ Guttman Scholarship Transfer Award (three)

For more information about the ASAP program, visit: http://commons.hostos. cuny.edu/asap/

■ Honors Convocation Distinction (30)

■ Newman Civic Fellows Award (one) ■ Carlos Beltrán Scholarship (one) ■ Skadden, Arps Honors Program Scholarship (two) ■ STEM Olympics Winner (one) ■ CUNY Athletics Travel Award to Cuba (one) ■ Kwanzaa Award (one) ■ Gerald Meyer Transfer Scholarship (three)

■ Salutatorian or Valedictorian (two) ■ Student Government Leadership (11)

#IamHostos

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COURTING A WINNING ATTITUDE From Harlem, to St. Bonaventure, to Hostos, Coach Poole draws from past experiences to build character

M

arquee Poole is certainly taking advantage of his second chance at Hostos.

The men’s head basketball coach is keeping busy building a winning program, while preaching the power of making chances count to his players. Poole is not a complete stranger to The Swamp. He served as an assistant coach on the 2013-14 Caimans team that won the CUNY Athletic Conference Championship. But, he had to step away to balance his time between work and family after being promoted at his full-time job where he worked as a juvenile case manager. “The team was 7-0 when I left. It was tough to leave, but I had to do what was best for me and my family,” Poole said. As fate would have it, Poole returned to Hostos as head coach for the 2014-15 season and made an immediate impact, guiding a relatively inexperienced Caimans team to the Region XV Title and a 5th place finish in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament. Poole credited his team’s dedication to getting better every day and his assistant coaches, including Anthony Zullo and Kenneth Stevens, to the team’s resurgence.

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Poole earned the 2014-2015 NJCAA District V Coach of the Year Award and a District V Sportsmanship Award. He followed that campaign up by earning the 2015-16 CUNYAC Community College Coach of the Year Award after the Caimans won the CUNYAC regular-season title in February. One of the team’s many success stories is Jefferson Francois, who was also honored with a CUNYAC Community College Player of the Year Award with his coach.

Poole, a former point guard at St. Bonaventure University who studied sociology and business management, said he has drawn inspiration from various coaches, from high school to college and beyond. Poole singled out former Bonnies’ coach Kenny Blakeney, who became a special mentor. “He was the guy I wanted to be,” Poole said of Blakeney, who played at Duke and now coaches at Harvard. “Coach Blakeney was the person you could always come to with a question, and he would listen.” Poole also crafted the Caimans’ uptempo passing style after some of those St. Bonaventure teams. But off the court, he has combined his past college experiences with his work as a juvenile case manager to help support his players in various ways. Through various community service initiatives, Poole is driving that point home to his players. The Caimans have volunteered their time during back-toschool supply drives, participated in Breast Cancer Awareness Month walks, cleaned up area parts, among other projects.

Coach Marquee Poole


“It doesn’t matter where you live or where you come from: you can always make a positive impact.

2014-15 Region XV Title 5th place finish in the 2014-2015 NJCAA Division III National Tournament 2014-2015 NJCAA District V Coach of the Year Award and a District V Sportsmanship Award 2015-16 CUNYAC Community College Coach of the Year 2015-2016 CUNYAC regular-season title

#IamHostos

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STEMming the Tide Against the odds, Hostos graduate emerging as an engineering star

Hostos

engineering student Wendy Fernández might not look like your typical engineer, but she is part of a growing number of female students and minorities who are trying to change this educational anomaly. Fernández, who hails from the Dominican Republic, remembers being fascinated by the Discovery Channel, instead of cartoons.

According to The American Council on Education, in 2014, women earned just 19% of engineering bachelor’s degrees and 18% of computer science degrees. When that is compared with the fact that women also accounted for 57.3% to men’s 42.7% of all degrees granted, it is obvious that the gender disparity in STEM degrees remains high, along with continued underrepresentation of minorities. These statistics have inspired her to work harder and become a role model for women and other minority students. The 21-yearold was recognized for her work at the 2015 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). This conference, now in its 15th year, is one of the largest, professional conferences for underrepresented minority students, veterans, and persons with disabilities

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to pursue advanced training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. And most recently, Fernández was accepted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) 2016 Summer Program in Biology and Neuroscience. This highly competitive program is primarily designed to encourage first generation students from underrepresented and economicallydisadvantaged groups to attend graduate school and expose them to opportunities to conduct supervised research at a top-tier institution. According to MIT, more than 85% of past participants have enrolled in top graduate programs within two years of completing this summer program. Fernández, whose mentor is Hostos Engineering Professor Yoel Rodríguez,

received an award at ABRCMS for her outstanding presentation on Molecular and Computational Biology. Hostos was well-represented at the conference, as students Eric Carlson and Kurk Fisher also attended. Hostos alumna Leslie Vázquez, who is mentored by Professor Olga Steinberg and is now at Hunter College, was also recognized for her outstanding presentation on Biochemistry. Professor Rodríguez called Fernández a truly special student. “Wendy is one of those students that will always be in our hearts. She is a symbol of endurance, perseverance and dedication. Her passion for science and engineering makes her very special. Her legacy to this generation of young engineering students is enormous.” Hostos is committed to promoting STEM studies, with its Associate Degree Programs in


According to the American Council on Education (ACE), in 2014, women earned just

19% 18%

Hostos Alumna Wendy Fernández and her mentor, Fulbright Award Winner Professor Yoel Rodríguez.

I knew that I wanted to study science and engineering when I was around 5 years old. I used to imagine myself wearing a lab coat and working in a lab and designing cities in space,” Fernández said. “After taking a course in electrical circuits, in high school, I fell in love with electrical engineering.

Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering, and successful Joint Dual Engineering Program with The City College of New York’s Grove School of Engineering. Hostos is also reaching pre-college aged students interested in STEM through its “Proyecto Access” Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) and the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP). Additionally, since 2010, several Hostos students have participated in internships at NASA, either at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, or the Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City.

of engineering bachelor’s degrees and of computer science degrees.

was held on May 7, 2015 on campus. Seven former Hostos engineering students —Nelson Altagracia, Armando Amador, Dane Christie, Nipa Dey, Qudus Lawal, Maryam Saqib, and Stanley Tineo-Tineo— returned to where their remarkable academic journeys began to be recognized and reconnect with old friends. Fernández is looking forward to entering City College to complete her bachelor’s degree and eventually pursue a Ph.D. related to electricity and software design. “The most helpful resource at Hostos for me was the ASAP program,” Fernández said, “honestly, I did not think I would be able to graduate on time without the constant support of the ASAP program.”

The STEM connection doesn’t end when Hostos students graduate. The first-ever Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Chemical Engineering Programs’ Alumni Reunion

#IamHostos

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D N A R O S S E F O R P T C N U J D HOSTOS A Y L L U F R E W O P ALUMNA: A E L Z Z U P E V I POSIT “Hostos the d e g n a h c y l l rea my trajectory of so life...I gained t and much suppor direction.”

Hostos

alumna and Adjunct Lecturer Rocio Rayo is part-scholar, actor, photographer, world traveler, paralegal, and ballet dancer - trapped inside the tattooed body of a social activist. If that sounds like a lot, she is just that. Moving between New York City and Florida during her formative years, her family visited places such as Nicaragua,

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where they worked with Oxfam to support impoverished farmers in the early 1980s. Rayo also worked as a paralegal and was exposed to socialminded groups including AmeriCorps to serve the homeless and other vulnerable populations. Looking to build off those experiences, Rayo returned to the northeast to enroll in college.

failed all of my classes,” Rayo shared, “I knew I was intelligent; I just did not do the work.” The 19-year-old returned to Florida, not knowing if she would ever get that opportunity again. Rayo’s dreams of a college degree, and her newborn son Amir, both became a strong motivating force for the young mother.

Her first attempt at Pennsylvania State University did not go as planned. “After making a series of bad decisions, I

In the fall of 2009, Rayo enrolled at Hostos, where she quickly recognized the valuable role the community college


? W O N K U O DID Y played in making higher education available to women, the working class, and people of color. By her second semester, Rayo became fascinated with the overlap between art and the political and social aspects of history, which she learned in Professor Rees Shad’s History of Electronic Music and Professor Ernest Ialongo’s World History courses. Realizing what she had to offer to herself and even other students, she embraced an exhaustive schedule of five classes per semester, maintaining a 3.7 GPA, working as a writing tutor, starring in Hostos Repertory Company’s productions (where she was nominated for a prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship), working as a teacher’s aide and tutor and in the College’s Academic Learning Center, organizing student groups, and serving as Vice President and President of the Theater Club. Upon completion of her Hostos degree, Rayo transferred to City College earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in History. In 2015, she returned to Hostos as an Adjunct Lecturer in the Humanities Department teaching History 211, Humanities 100, Public Speaking, and Introduction to Philosophy. “I can unequivocally state she is one of the best students I ever had,” Professor Ialongo said. “She took two of my courses, was always comfortable with the material, and was an asset in every discussion. I was thrilled when she continued her studies in History at City College. Rayo’s connection with Professor Shad also remained strong after she joined his team of artists, educators and designers to launch the Game-Framed Math & Science program. Developing games to increase understanding of STEM-based subjects through playing and interactive media, the degree path is the first of its kind at The City University of New York.

“Professor Shad was the first teacher who told me I was a great writer.” Rayo said. Shad, the current Chair of Humanities Department, recalled first meeting Rayo in his Media History class and immediately being impressed with her mind and her drive to succeed. “I hired her as a writing tutor in our media labs the following semester, and the year after to co-author and edit a book on game design,” Shad said. “She was incredibly important to the G-FMS initiative as our research assistant and ‘co-teacher’ in the labs. She helped develop more than a dozen learning games with the design group and has been a game-changer since the beginning. She has taught me more than I ever could have taught her.” Rayo, now 34 years old, is the Executive Director of Colmena Design Group where she is utilizing her gifts as an artist, educator, and social activist to help students learn STEM concepts through games. Rayo credits Hostos for giving her a home and a place to mold her own vision of the future. “Hostos really changed the trajectory of my life. I had a lot to offer, but gained so much support and direction.”

RAYO AT CUNY CUE CONFERENCE Rocio Rayo, adjunct lecturer in the Humanities Department, will speak at the 2016 CUNY Coordinated Undergraduate Education (CUE) Conference at Hostos on May 13, being held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The CUE Conference is a CUNY-wide annual showcase of initiatives and best practices in undergraduate programs. This year’s theme is “Walk the Talk: Inspiring Action on the Concourse and Beyond,” and features special guest speaker José Antonio Bowen, President of Goucher College and author of “Teaching Naked.” For more information, go to: http://cue.commons.gc.cuny.edu

Hostos Community College values its alumni, and their power to help the College achieve its mission. The Office of Alumni Relations created the Hostos Alumni Speakers Bureau,
a free service to the community. Experts in
various fields are available to give presentations about their academic and professional achievements. These volunteers have personal knowledge of the high quality of instruction and outstanding academic programs Hostos offers.

If you would like more information or have questions about the Bureau, please contact: Nydia Edgecombe, Director Office of Alumni Relations Hostos Community College 718- 518-4180 or alumni@hostos.cuny.edu

Hostos Alumni Office

BY THE NUMBERS: Alumni Speakers Bureau launched in 2012 at the last Hostos Homecoming Celebration More than 20 presentations by volunteer members conducted More than 80 members are alumni speakers Hostos’ alumni network is strong, with 17,228 out of approximately 25,000 graduates officially remaining involved with the College

#IamHostos

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Artists include: Seyi Adebanjo, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, Howard T. Cash, Elvira Clayton, Dennis RedMoon Darkeem, Lisa DuBois, Nicky Enright, Janet Goldner, Ijeoma D. Iheanacho, Imo Imeh, Hakim Mutlaq Inniss, Natasha R. Johnson, Nontsikelelo Mutiti, Ibou Ndoye, Eric Orr, Eto Otitigbe, Thurston Randall, Ibrahima Thiam, A.T.M Tijay,

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S P R I N G

S E A S O N

BRONX:AFRICA is a multi-disciplinary and multi-modal exploration of the art, expressions and influences of African cultures and their impact as nationals mix and infuse. BRONX:AFRICA will explore and celebrate the influence of contemporary African cultures in the Bronx and reinforce connections among the many peoples of African descent, mixed heritage and migration-dispersion that call the Bronx home.

REPERTORIO ESPAÑOL

LA GRINGA

Fri | Mar 18 | 7:30pm | Repertory Theater Reserved Seating: $15 | Students and Under 18: $5

LeRonn P. Brooks, Exhibition Curator | Atim Oton, Curator, Community Engagement

Photo: M icha el P alm a

ry @ Hostos | February 3 – May 4, 2016 - FREE ADMISSION |

Gallery hours: 12-5pm Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri

20TH

Performed in Spanish with English surtitles.

ANNIVERSARY

“90 minutes of laughter and delight” - The New York Times

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DRAWN AND QUARTERED

Directed by Natasha Yannacañedo HostosApril Community CUNY 20 - May 6College | Black/Box Theater 450 Grand NYFree 10451 GeneralConcourse, Admission: $10Bronx, | Students: | Very Limited Seating Premiered in 2011 at Intar, Maggie Bofill’s Drawn and Quartered is the explosive reunion of a Latino couple that is full of accusations and recriminations, romantic overtures, hesitant withdrawals, heated rejections and a graphic recollection of a physical liaison immortalized in pigment.

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BENNYROYCE DANCE

40th ANNIVERSARY

Thur | Apr 21 | 7:30pm | Repertory Theater Reserved Seating: $10 | Students and Under 18: Free

Bennyroyce Dance, the Brooklyn-based contemporary dance company under the artistic leadership of Filipino-American dancer and choreographer Bennyroyce Royon, performs three contrasting works including the premiere of “1000 Full Moons” set to a suite of music from Glenn Miller, Etta James and others.

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Bennyroyce Dance's residency at Hostos Community College is part of the CUNY Dance Initiative (CDI), which is supported by The Mertz Gilmore Foundation, New York Community Trust, Howard Gilman Foundation, and the Harkness Foundation for Dance. CDI is spearheaded and administered by The Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College.

& Much More! (details inside)

RELIVING THE PALLADIUM ERA

PAPO VÁZQUEZ & THE MIGHTY PIRATES TROUBADORS

AMBO Mmemories

“Royon has a unique choreographic voice and the dancers seemed to revel in his creation.” - Dance Informa Magazine

with Special Guests: Jerry Medina and Joe Locke Sat | Apr 30 | 7:30pm | Repertory Theater

Reserved Seating: $20 | Students and Under 18: $5 FPO Celebrating his 40th anniversary as a Latin Jazz artist, the always ebullient

trombonist Papo Vázquez leads his band – the Mighty Pirates Troubadours in a special performance featuring two outstanding soloists – the acclaimed Puerto Rican vocalist / trumpeter Jerry Medina and vibraphone master Joe Locke. “Locke is one of those rare players who can play just about anything with anybody in jazz.” - The Kansas City Star

Box Office 718.518.4455 www.hostoscenter.org to 149th Street & Grand Concourse

AMBO Mmemories April 2016

ww.hostoscenter.org

l Palma

HOSTOS REPERTORY COMPANY

Photo: Bjorn Bolinder

CUNY DANCE INITIATIVE

9 00Caiman Chronicle

Photos: Rebecca Zoltowski / Fordham University Studio Theatre

APR

Photo: Tra To

www.cuny.edu/danceinitiative

Main Gallery & Project Space

Hostos Center and Hostos Repertory Company present the OBIE-winning Repertorio Español in a performance of Carmen Rivera’s play La Gringa, celebrating the 20th anniversary of this popular and heart-warming comedy about a young woman who travels to Puerto Rico in search of her roots.


B O ories

spearheaded spearheaded and and administered administered by by The The Kupferberg Kupferberg Center Centerfor forthe theArts ArtsatatQueens QueensCollege. College.

anything TheKansas KansasCity CityStar Star anythingwith withanybody anybodyininjazz.” jazz.”- -The

www.cuny.edu/danceinitiative

RELIVING THE PALLADIUM ERA

AMBO Mmemories

Frankie Figueroa • Nayibe La Gitana • Orlando Marín • Frankie Morales • Papo Pepín odríquez • The Steve Oquendo Mambo Orchestra • Eddie Torres Dancers

Cherishing the memories of the Mambo era at the Palladium Ballroom with the music of Puente, Rodríquez Machito•• Nayibe along songs •of•Orlando La LupeMarín and Graciela featuring Management Cándido Camero • Frankieand Figueroa La ••Frankie Morales ••Papo Figueroa Nayibewith LaGitana Gitana Orlando Marín Frankie Moralessome PapoPepín Pepín Cita Rodríquez • The Steve Oquendo Mambo Orchestra • Eddie Torres Dancers of New York’s top Latin artists, supported by the most-talked-about new orquesta of the The Steve Oquendo Mambo Orchestra • Eddie Torres Dancers er with a special guest appearanceCherishing by the internationally - renowned Torres Dancers. the Mambo atatthe Ballroom Vicki Solá, Mistress ofBronx, Ceremonies Cherishing thememories memoriesofofthe the Mamboera eraEddie thePalladium Palladium Ballroomwith withthe themusic musicofof Students and Under 18:by $10Richie Bonilla Artist Management Puente, Rodríquez and Machito along with songs of La Lupe and Graciela featuring Co-Produced Puente, Rodríquez and Machito along with songs of La Lupe and Graciela featuringsome some Don’t miss thisManagement unforgettable evening of Mambo.

ofofNew NewYork’s York’stop topLatin Latinartists, artists,supported supportedbybythe themost-talked-about most-talked-aboutnew neworquesta orquestaofofthe the Bronx, with a special guest appearance by the internationally renowned Eddie Torres Dancers. Bronx, with a special guest appearance by the internationally renowned Eddie Torres Dancers. Reserved Orch: $30 | Mezz: $25 || Students $10 $25community-based Students and and Under Under18: 18: $10 Don’t miss LincolnSeating: Center partners with organizations in all of New York City’s boroughs to present this unforgettable evening ofofMambo. Don’t miss thisfive unforgettable evening Mambo.

Sat | May 14 | 7:30pm | Main Theater

Boro-Linc: a series of free world-class performances and family workshops—right in your neighborhood! partners ininallallfive Lincoln Center Center partners withcommunity-based community-based organizations fiveofofNew NewYork YorkCity’s City’sboroughs boroughstotopresent present Free music, dance and art for all ages at Lincoln Hostos Center. Arts with workshops and liveorganizations performances Boro-Linc: a series of free world-class performances and family workshops—right in your neighborhood! in the Repertory Theater for every event!Boro-Linc: a series of free world-class performances and family workshops—right in your neighborhood! Free Free music, music,dance danceand andart artfor forall allages agesatatHostos HostosCenter. Center. Arts Artsworkshops workshopsand andlive liveperformances performances inin the Repertory Theater for every event! the Repertory Theater for every event!

Admission is FREE but tickets are required Call (718) 518-4455

ONIC

e family c erts:

h played ic.

Photo:Stephanie StephanieBlack Black Photo:

Photo:David DavidFlores Flores Photo:

Photo: Stephanie Black

Admission AdmissionisisFREE FREEbut buttickets ticketsare arerequired requiredCall Call(718) (718)518-4455 518-4455

I. MEMBERS OF THECENTER EDUCATION: II. LINCOLN EDUCATION: LINCOLNCENTER CENTER EDUCATION: III.BATOTO BATOTOYETU YETU II. LINCOLN III. BATOTO YETU III. 10:30am Dance and NEWTHE YORKVILLALOBOS PHILHARMONIC THE VILLALOBOS BROTHERS APR 10:30am Dance andpercussion percussion THE VILLALOBOS BROTHERS APR BROTHERS APR 10:30am Dance and percussion

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workshop workshopwith withcompany companymembers members arts APR APR 10:30am Pre-performance arts arts 10:30amPre-performance Pre-performance arts with company members APR 10:30am workshop 10:30amforPre-performance arts APR workshop SAT SAT the whole family workshop for the whole family 11:30am Batoto Yetu whole family workshop for the whole family 11:30am Batoto Yetu SAT workshop for the wholeSAT family SAT SAT SAT 11:30am New York Philharmonic 11:30am Brothers Philharmonic 11:30amThe TheVillalobos Villalobos11:30am BrothersBatoto Yetu Batoto BatotoYetu Yetu(Swahili (Swahilifor for“Our “OurChildren”), Children”),engages engages SAT Very Young People’s Concerts: inner-city youth about their African Concerts: Brothers inner-city youth about their African The original compositions 11:30am The Villalobos Batoto Yetu (Swahili for “Our Children”), engages TheVillalobos VillalobosBrothers’ Brothers’ original compositions “Allegro and Adagio” heritage with music, dance, heritage with music, dance,and and and arrangements masterfully blend and and arrangements masterfully blend and inner-city youth about their African The Villalobos Brothers’ original compositions folklore from Angola and folklore from Angola andthe the Explore how tempo makes music fun, with celebrate ofofMexican folk with celebratethe therichness richnessheritage Mexicanwith folkmusic music music, dance, and masterfully Congo, Congo,asaswell wellasasother otherregions. regions. selectionsand fromarrangements Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Lake played playedblend andwith withthe theintricate intricateharmonies harmoniesofofjazz jazzand and folklore from Angola and the celebrate theYork richness of Mexican folk music by members of the New Philharmonic. classical music. Philharmonic. classical music.

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Congo, as well as other regions. for isis provided Andrew W.W.Mellon with Major the support intricate harmonies ofThe jazz and Major support for Boro-Linc Boro-Linc providedby by The Andrew MellonFoundation, Foundation,Betty Bettyand andJohn JohnLevin, Levin,and andEugene Eugeneand andEmily EmilyGrant. Grant.Lead LeadCorporate CorporateSupport Supportisisprovided providedbybyTime TimeWarner WarnerInc. Inc. classical music. ARTISTS ARTISTSAND ANDPROGRAMS PROGRAMSSUBJECT SUBJECTTOTOCHANGE CHANGE Theater Upgrades Tickets On Sale: OnCorporate Sale:Support is provided ided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Betty and John Levin, and Eugene andTickets Emily Grant. Lead by Time Warner Inc. forforthe Support for Center Support forHostos Hostos Center theArts Artsand andCulture Cultureprograms programsare areprovided providedbybythethe Over the last year, we completed significant improvements to our facilities to make your concert experience even more enjoyable, including new hand rails and carpet in the Main and Box Office: (718) 518-4455 Repertory Theaters.

Tickets On Sale:

www.hostoscenter.org Window: Mon - Fri 1:00pm to 4:00pm and two hours prior to events

www.hostoscenter.org www.hostoscenter.org

Eugenio EugenioMaría MaríadedeHostos HostosCommunity CommunityCollege CollegeFoundation, Foundation,with withpublic publicfunds fundsfrom fromthethe

New NewYork YorkCity CityDepartment DepartmentofofCultural CulturalAffairs, Affairs,the theNew NewYork YorkState StateCouncil CouncilononthetheArts, Arts, Box Office: BoxARTISTS Office: (718) (718)518-4455 518-4455 SUBJECT TO the AND PROGRAMS CHANGE theNew NewYork YorkState StateOffice OfficeofofParks, Parks,Recreation Recreationand andHistoric HistoricPreservation, Preservation,the theOffice Officeofof Window: Mon Fri 1:00pm to 4:00pm Window: Fri 1:00pm to 4:00pm NYC Councilwoman María Carmen Arroyo, the SupportMon for- Hostos Center for the Arts and programs are provided the NYCCulture Councilwoman Maríadel del Carmen Arroyo,by theOffice OfficeofofNew NewYork YorkState StateAssemblyman Assemblyman and two prior events José Rivera, Office ofofNew York Carmen andEugenio twohours hours prior eventsCommunity College JoséFoundation, Rivera,and andthe thewith Office Newfunds YorkState State Assemblywoman CarmenArroyo. Arroyo. María detotoHostos public fromAssemblywoman the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Office of NYC Councilwoman María del Carmen Arroyo, the Office of New York State Assemblyman ©2016 Hostos Community College ©2016 Hostos Community College José Rivera, and the Office of New York State Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo.

©2016 Hostos Community College

#IamHostos

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FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016, 6:00 P.M.

GLEN ISLAND HARBOUR CLUB

DESIGN, CONCEPT AND LAYOUT: JOSE R. GARCIA / DIVISION OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT / OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

www.hostos.cuny.edu/2016Benefit

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