Hostos Community College

This article investigates how exposure to diverse methods for solving quadratic equations influences the development of mathematical confidence and problem-solving skills among undergraduate students in community college algebra courses. Recognizing that students often enter with varying levels of prior knowledge and limited experience in flexible problem-solving, the instructional model introduced multiple strategies, including Grouping, Completing the Square, Trial and Error, the Quadratic Formula, and Slide-Divide-Bottoms-Up. Student perceptions, preferences, and self-reported confidence were collected through surveys and analyzed to assess both procedural proficiency and conceptual understanding. Findings reveal that engaging with multiple solution methods enhances students’ confidence, encourages strategic thinking, and promotes adaptability in selecting appropriate approaches for different problem types. The results also demonstrate that students develop greater mathematical maturity, characterized by reflective reasoning, method comparison, and persistence in problem-solving. These insights suggest that integrating diverse methods into algebra instruction fosters a mindset of flexible and independent problem-solving, providing a pathway for students to approach complex mathematical challenges with confidence and resilience.

Do voters reward or punish elected officials for pandemics? Recent research on natural disasters finds evidence for partisan retrospection, which maintains that voters’ decisions to reward or punish incumbents following a disaster are influenced by whether or not the elected official is co-partisan. We argue that the COVID-19 pandemic similarly affected voters’ responses to reward or punish incumbents. We contend with increasing COVID-19 infection rates and deaths, voters supported incumbents who were co-partisan and opposed incumbents who were not co-partisan. We look for evidence of pandemic partisan retrospection by estimating the net effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2020 U.S. presidential and Senate elections. We find that voters were more likely to punish incumbents who were not co-partisan and more likely to reward incumbents who were co-partisan in counties with higher pandemic infection and death rates. Our results support pandemic partisan retrospection and suggest that, in the aggregate, the pandemic had an overall impact on voter choice similar to what occurs after natural disasters.

This study explored the students' attitudes toward mathematics and their proficiency levels, with a focus on variations across academic programs. Using a descriptive research design, data were gathered from 278 college students through a researcher-developed Mathematics Proficiency Test and the Attitudes Toward Mathematics Inventory (ATMI). Results revealed that while students hold a generally positive view of mathematics' value, their self-confidence, enjoyment, and motivation remain neutral. Most students spent only 1–2 hours per week studying math, and over half were categorized under the “Developing” proficiency level. ANOVA tests showed no significant differences in attitude or performance across programs. These findings underscore the importance of fostering supportive, engaging learning environments to enhance both skill and mindset in mathematics.

Tumors formed by the unchecked growth of breast cells are known as breast cancer. The second most frequent cancer in the world is breast cancer. It is the most common cancer among females. In 2022, 2,296,840 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. The therapy of breast cancer is evolving through the development of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, which are offering people with specific genetic profiles new hope as research into the disease continues. It focuses on patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. This review summarizes the most recent research on the mechanisms of action of PARP inhibitors and their implications for breast cancer therapy. We review how therapeutic applications are developing and highlight recent studies showing the effectiveness of these medicines whether used alone or in combination. Furthermore, the significance of customized therapy is highlighted in enhancing patient outcomes as we address the function of genetic testing in identifying candidates for PARP inhibition. Recommendations for future research areas to maximize the therapeutic potential of PARP inhibitors are also included, along with challenges and limits in their clinical usage. The objective of this review is to improve our comprehension of the complex interaction between breast cancer biology and PARP inhibition. This knowledge will help to guide screening approaches, improve clinical practice, and support preventive initiatives for people at risk.

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a form of virtual exchange that connects a U.S. based class with a class at a college or university outside the U.S. Students from each class work together on one or various assignments in bi-national teams for several weeks during the semester. At a community college like Hostos College, CUNY, where students have few options to study abroad, COIL provides a structured opportunity to engage with peers in other countries, especially with students at 4-year institutions. Evaluating my COIL experience highlighted the need for open education resources (OER) not only in the project material but also the project itself as well as the importance of communication and partnership with a 4-year institution. I present the OER resources produced as well as preliminary student data that show some indications that the goals of virtual exchange were achieved.

Background/Context: The Holistic Oasis for Parents’ Education (HOPE) Program is an on-campus summer program designed to serve the whole student with a three-dimensional support model. Low-income, Black, and Hispanic parents experienced some of the most egregious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which reflects the demographics of one in three Hostos Community College students. This five-year National Science Foundation grant–funded research program provides crucial support and research on an underserved and understudied group in higher education: pregnant and parenting students. Purpose of Study: The purpose of this paper is to describe the history and context of parenting students at Hostos Community College, to describe the HOPE three-dimensional (3D) model, to provide some preliminary findings on belonging from our first two cohorts, and to share challenges and future directions. Research Design: This study utilizes a mixed methods approach that includes qualitative and quantitative research with each HOPE cohort of parenting students and quantitative research with a quasi-control group of parenting students. Conclusion/Recommendations: The research on belonging from the first two years of the HOPE Program demonstrates a positive sense of belonging to the program and to their peers in the program. The HOPE 3D model stands as an example of effective holistic programming for pregnant and parenting students but could be adopted or adapted for other groups of underrepresented students.

This research centers on implementing Quantitative Reasoning (QR) within a differential equations course at an urban public community college. As a participant in the Numeracy Infusion for College Educators (NICE) faculty development program, I sought to integrate QR skills into my curriculum. Students in the course were introduced to QR goals using real-world data sets, particularly those related to population growth, which aim to enhance their understanding, sharpen their problem-solving abilities, and cultivate a positive perspective on the real-world relevance of mathematics. Preliminary findings indicate varied levels of QR skill development among students. These results underscore the potential benefits of infusing QR into mathematics courses and provide insights for educators looking to adopt similar strategies in their teaching.