Hostos Community College officials announced on Monday, Nov. 13, that the college has been recognized for three “significant” national accolades  which its representatives say highlight the college’s commitment to academic excellence and student success.

 

For 2024, according to Hostos, the South Bronx college was ranked seventh (out of 31) by Intelligent.com’s “Best Community Colleges in New York,” making the list after an evaluation of over 3,000 academic institutions.

 

According to the college, the selection process considered various criteria, including academic quality, graduation rates, affordability, return on investment (ROI), and the breadth of student resources, according to Intelligent.com, a student-focused website that, according to its description, helps those shopping for colleges make better learning choices for their academic careers.

 

The college also ranked fifth (out of 58) among the top practical nursing programs in New York roster by PracticalNursing.org, described as a leading resource for LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse /Licensed Vocational Nurse) students. Hostos officials said the college was acknowledged by PracticalNursing.org for its excellence in the nursing field.

 

Additionally, for a third time, Hostos also secured a place among the Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community Colleges. Hostos officials said this solidified the college’s place among the nation’s premier community colleges. Hostos received the recognition after judges reviewed 1,000 two-year institutions nationwide, making it eligible to compete for the prestigious Aspen Prize, which is awarded every two years and comes with a reward of $1 million.

 

Officials from Hostos, located at 500 Grand Concourse, said the college was selected as one of ten finalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence for a second time in June 2022. The Aspen Prize, often referred to as the “Oscars of community colleges,” is awarded by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. College officials said the recognition reflects Hostos’ unwavering commitment to delivering high, improving, and equitable student outcomes.

 

They also said that Hostos is dedicated to providing a high-quality education and empowering students to achieve their academic and career goals. They said these latest accolades reaffirm Hostos’ commitment to excellence and its mission to serve the student community and the South Bronx effectively.

 

Reacting to the news, Hostos president, Dr. Daisy Cocco De Filippis, said, “I am truly proud of these recognitions, as well as grateful and humbled by the number and frequency with which they are offered.”

 

Hostos officials described the community college as “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.” They said, “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 facilitates 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, college officials said it has an award-winning division of continuing education and workforce development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, described as the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 25 colleges.

 

Cocco De Filippis added of the college’s latest accolades, “I’m especially proud knowing how motivated and engaged the students are, and how hard the faculty and staff at Hostos work every day to educate and support them as they strive to build better lives for themselves and their families. We thank you for the accolades and vow to keep working hard every day to meet the educational needs of the community.”

 

Meanwhile, a Lehman College physics professor was recently honored for his defense of free thinking with the Sakhorov Prize, as reported.