Welcome From HACU President and CEO

On behalf of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, welcome to the 36th Annual Conference, “Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Rebuilding a More Resilient and Inclusive America.” We are especially delighted to be hosting our Annual Conference in person for the first time in three years. This year also marks two 30-year anniversaries - the federal designation of the HispanicServing Institutions through the Reauthorization of Higher Education Amendment of 1992 and that of the HACU National Internship Program. We are thankful to all our partners and supporters who have joined us in our advocacy efforts.

The Opening Plenary will feature an update on the State of HACU. The International Plenary will address the important topic of “Resilience, Recovery and Retooling in Post-Pandemic Higher Education: Lessons Learned and Applied in Diverse International Settings.” The Town Hall will feature a panel of Fortune 500 energy company CEOs and university leaders discussing the topic, “The Synergies of HSIs and Latino/as in Clean Energies: Making America the Powerhouse of the World’s Economic Prosperity.”

We hope all the activities planned for the next few days will provide a wealth of information, as well as opportunities to connect and network with other higher education professionals. The conference workshops and pre- and post-conference events address topics of relevance to HSIs, emerging HSIs and HispanicServing School Districts, as well as those organizations and institutions who partner with them. We thank those institutions and partners that have sponsored students to participate HACU ¡Adelante! Leadership (Student Track), which provides college students with important sessions and networking opportunities for their future careers.

During the conference, HACU will recognize those individuals, institutions and organizations who have made a difference in Hispanic higher education and have supported our work unhesitatingly. You will have a chance to meet the 2022 honorees when we recognize and celebrate them during our luncheons.

Thanks to all our sponsors, partners, exhibitors, advertisers and the Host and Advisory Committee here in San Diego for helping us make this conference a success. We are grateful for the ongoing participation and support of HACU’s Governing Board, whose leadership and guidance are always invaluable to our conferences’ success. I hope that you connect with colleagues from colleges and universities across the country, visit with agencies and organizations who share our mission, and gain fresh ideas and energy to champion Hispanic higher education success.

Cordially,

Antonio R. Flores President and CEO