Serrano Announces More Than $2.5 Million in Federal Grants to Improve Educational Opportunities at Hostos Community College

Washington, DC, September 30, 2004--Today, Congressman José E. Serrano announced a five-year grant for Hostos Community College from the U.S. Department of Education to improve the educational opportunities for Hispanic and low-income students in the Bronx.  The first year of the grant will total $542,317. 

“I am very pleased to announce this funding for one of our most important local educational institutions,” said Serrano.  “Hostos Community College has consistently expanded educational opportunities for underprivileged students in the Bronx, and I am confident that this funding will continue to improve its educational programs.  Hostos and its programs put the opportunities of a college education within reach for thousands of Bronx residents.  We all know that education is a key to success in life, and this grant will help thousands of Bronx students move one step closer to realizing their dreams.” 

Hostos College, a two-year, public, open-admissions bilingual college, is one of the 19 units of The City University of New York (CUNY).  Hostos was established in 1968 in response to the demands of Puerto Rican and other Hispanic leaders who urged the creation of a college to meet the needs of the South Bronx. 

The new funding is being granted through the Department of Education, as part of the Higher Education Act’s Title V, which is geared towards helping “Hispanic Serving Institutions.”  It funds the College’s latest initiative, “Shifting the Paradigm on Teaching and Learning to Improve Student Success” that seeks to 1) create a campus-wide information management system; 2) retool student learning supports such as resume development, English language instruction, and fortifying basic academic skills of incoming freshmen; and 3) increase faculty leadership in curricular revitalization and innovation on campus.

Dr. Dolores M. Fernández, President of Hostos Community College, said, "The title of this project, ‘Shifting the Paradigm on Teaching and Learning to Improve Student Success’, succinctly captures what we intend to achieve with our students.  It will contribute significantly to the fulfillment of our mission of offering programs that lead to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility."

According to Provost Daisy Cocco De Filippis, "This grant will allow us to facilitate student achievement by means of improved technical support, curriculum development, and faculty development geared to special student needs.  The paradigm shift referred to in the title will enable us to address the very real and complex needs of students."

Congressman Serrano has a strong relationship with Hostos College, which currently sponsors the prestigious Serrano Scholars programs that puts talented minority students on the path toward careers in the Foreign Service. 

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Congressman José E. Serrano has represented the Bronx, New York in Congress since 1990.  He is the only Member of Congress from New York City on the House Appropriations Committee and currently serves as the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Commerce, Justice, and State Departments.