HACU 38th Annual Conference
Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Reaching New Heights of Excellence and Equity
November 1-3, 2024 • Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center • Aurora, Colorado
Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Reaching New Heights of Excellence and Equity
November 1-3, 2024 • Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center • Aurora, Colorado
Annual Conference Workshops
PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS
Women's Leadership Symposium – Oct. 31
Deans’ Forum on Hispanic Higher Education – Oct. 31
Latino Higher Education Leadership Institute – Nov. 1
PreK-12/Higher Education Collaboration Symposium – Nov. 1
(Agenda is subject to change.)
All times noted are Mountain Time.
Thursday, Oct. 31
6:00 - 11:00 a.m.
13th Annual Deans’ Forum on Hispanic Higher Education (Pre-Conference event. Additional registration required.)
11:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Second Women’s Leadership Symposium (Pre-Conference event. Additional registration required)
Noon – 8:00 p.m.
General Conference and ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute (Student Track) Registration
Friday, Nov. 1
7:00 a.m. – Noon
¡Adelante! Leadership Institute (Student Track) Registration
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
General Conference Registration
7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
10th PreK-12 Higher Education Collaboration Symposium (Pre-Conference event. Additional registration required)
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
23rd Annual Latino Higher Education Leadership Institute (Pre-Conference event. Additional registration required)
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Exhibitor Installation and Move-In
8:00 a.m. - 3:55 p.m.
¡Adelante! Leadership Institute (Student Track)
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Commission on International Education (This is a closed meeting.)
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Opening Plenary
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Opening Reception & Grand Opening of Exhibit Hall
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Cyber Cafe
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
HNIP Alumni Mixer
Saturday, Nov. 2
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Coffee Break
8:00 a.m. - 5:05 p.m.
¡Adelante! Leadership Institute (Student Track)
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
General Conference Registration
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
7 Concurrent Workshops
9:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Associate Member Meeting (This is a closed meeting)
9:30 - 10:45 a.m.
International Networking Session
10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Cyber Cafe
10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (Closes from noon to 1:30 p.m.)
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
9 Concurrent Workshops
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Power Lunch
2:00 - 3:15 p.m.
6 Concurrent Workshops
2:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Annual Business Meeting (This is a closed meeting)
2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
College and Career Fair
3:15 - 3:45 p.m.
Coffee Break
3:55 - 5:10 p.m.
8 Concurrent Workshops
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Colorado Higher Education Convening (This is a closed meeting. All Colorado Higher Education Professionals registered for the HACU conference are welcome to attend.)
Sunday, Nov. 3
8:00 a.m. - 3:10 p.m.
Adelante! Leadership Institute (Student Track)
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Coffee Break
8:00 a.m. - Noon General Conference Registration
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
International Plenary
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Cyber Cafe
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Exhibit Hall (Closes from noon to 1:30 p.m.)
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
7 Concurrent Workshops
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Partnership Lunch
2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
9 Concurrent Workshops
3:15 - 3:30 p.m.
Coffee Break
3:30 – 5:00 p.m. HACU Town Hall
6:30 - 10:30 p.m. Networking Dinner/Dance
The Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center will be the host hotel for HACU’s 38th Annual Conference.
• Online reservation is available at 38th Annual Conference hotel web page at hacu.net.
• To make guestroom reservation by phone, call 888-840-3143
• Make sure to request the HACU or Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ group rate of $257.00 per night (plus occupancy tax). The deadline to make reservations at the HACU group rate is October 9, 2024 (or until the room block is full).
Check in time: 3:00 p.m.
Check out time: 11:00 a.m.
Standing at the edge of the Front Range, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, our Denver International Airport hotel, showcases the state’s alpine charm and offers guests a welcome reprieve from the typical mountain resort stays. From our thrilling Arapahoe Springs Water Park to an exciting lineup of family-friendly activities and entertainment, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at our luxury hotel in Aurora, Colorado.
Thursday, Oct. 31
6:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
13th Annual Deans’ Forum on Hispanic Higher Education (Pre-Conference event. Additional registration required.)
The Deans’ Forum is a half-day Forum for faculty and staff who are currently serving in the role as a dean or aspire to serve in this role at some point in their career. Speakers and presentations will focus on the theme “Leveraging Transformational Programs to Support Excellence and Equitable Outcomes.” Participants will engage in dialogue with a panel of experts and network to learn from each other about implementing innovative and creative practices in educating Hispanic and other underrepresented minorities.
11:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Second Women’s Leadership Symposium (Pre-Conference event. Additional registration required.)
The Women’s Leadership Symposium is a half-day event for women professionals at all levels to explore, dialogue and learn from other women in executive leadership positions. Topics include navigating the higher education work environment, building a strategic network, and preparing to assume executive roles in education or other career fields.
7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
10th PreK-12/Higher Education Collaboration Symposium (Pre-Conference event. Additional registration required.)
The PreK-12/Higher Education Collaboration Symposium will showcase successful collaborative partnerships and initiatives implemented by colleges, universities and school districts. Sessions will involve panels and discussions to promote and empower communities to implement collaborative practices utilizing the resources and connections highlighted during the Symposium.
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
23rd Annual Latino Higher Education Leadership Institute
Utilizing High Impact and Equitable Programs to Achieve Organizational Excellence (Pre-Conference event. Additional registration required.)
The Latino Higher Education Leadership Institute is a dynamic, one-day event for faculty, staff and administrators at any stage of their careers, which will focus on strategies for moving up the faculty and administrative ladders in higher education. Speakers and roundtable discussions will explore essential topics. The theme of the Institute is “Utilizing High Impact and Equitable Programs to Achieve Organizational Excellence.” Breakout sessions will explore essential topics in greater depth. The day concludes with a panel comprised of top Latino/a college and university presidents.
HACU's Annual Conference workshops showcase exemplary programs and initiatives of the best and most promising practices in the education of Hispanics among the following seven tracks:
Track 1: Capacity-Building for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Emerging HSIs
• Securing federal grant opportunities for HSIs
• Private and corporate foundation grant opportunities
• Researching and writing a winning proposal
• Innovative funding opportunities focused on student and faculty development
• Leading a campus-wide team through a proposal submission
• Building consortiums and alliances
• Best practices for achieving an HSI designation
• Transitioning an institution from Hispanic-enrolling to Hispanic-serving
• Effective partnerships between HSIs and emerging HSIs
• Demystifying the process of obtaining an HSI designation
Track 2: Teaching and Learning
• High impact teaching practices such as learning communities, experiential learning, and supplemental instruction
• Trends in culturally relevant learning experiences
• Integrating new technologies in education (Chat GPT, AI, etc.)
• Utilization of data to inform practice
• Delivering innovative bridge programs for building the STEM pathway
• Practices that support college readiness (dual enrollment, summer bridge, P-Tech, etc.)
• Equity minded instructional practices
• Pedagogical practices in the classroom (discipline specific, interdisciplinary, etc.)
Track 3: Student Engagement and Success
• High impact practices in access, retention, and graduation for undergraduate and graduate students
• Systems of support to ensure student well-being, such as mental health services and student advocacy centers
• Enabling student social and economic mobility through programs and services
• Serving diverse student populations (LGBTQIA+, Latinx, first generation, veterans, etc.)
• Building effective practices for DACA students
• Successful transfer programs between community colleges and universities
• Effective partnerships between PreK-12 and postsecondary education
• Developing your own cohort of institutional leaders
• Best practices in developing high-performance teams
• Cultivating leadership at all levels of the organization
• Building a culture of evidence to enhance organizational excellence
• Developing a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
Track 5: Federal and State Advocacy, Policy and Research
• State legislation that impacts HSIs and Hispanic students
• Federal and state resources for HSIs
• Research and policy analysis on Hispanic student success in HSIs and HSSDs
• The role of Hispanic-Serving School Districts (HSSDs) in the education pipeline and in federal legislation
• Federal agency/HSI partnership grants and research opportunities
Track 6: Global Engagement
• The role of international education at HSIs
• Cultivation of renewed faculty engagement in internationalization efforts and curriculum development
• New models for comprehensive and inclusive internationalization
• Research in international education as a catalyst for expanding HSIs’ global engagement
• Sustainable development and environmental initiatives
Track 7: Preparing the Future Workforce
• Responding to industry trends through microcredentialing, certifications, online programs and stackable courses
• High impact practices for adult learners (ABE, GED, returning students, etc.)
• Effective partnerships in the evolving workforce
• Successful community college practices for students entering the workforce
• Successful guided pathway models
Friday,
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Opening Plenary
Join us for welcome remarks and the State of HACU Address delivered by HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Transforming HSIs for Equity & Justice
In her latest book, Gina Garcia, Ph.D., lays out a framework to guide HSIs in their organizational change work, and together with Ann Endris, Title V director at Cabrillo College, co-created a practitioner’s workbook with educators and decision makers in mind to catalyze institutional journeys of transformation. This session will provide the most recent scholarship around servingness and interactive engagement with “Transforming HSIs for Equity and Justice: A Practitioner’s Workbook.”
PK-20 Partnerships and Collaborations
Learn effective ways to build and leverage collaborative partnerships among PK-12 administrators, educators, and community stakeholders to improve the educational ecosystem for Hispanic students. This session will include an overview of best practices used to sustain successful partnerships and will showcase tangible ways to leverage those relationships to drive organizational change.
Rompiendo Barreras: Partnering to Impact the Transfer Experience of Hispanic Students in the State of Texas
Rompiendo Barreras is an impactful project jointly undertaken by four offices at Texas Woman’s University to enhance the transfer experience of Hispanic students in Texas. Through collaborations with community colleges, the project addresses unique challenges faced by Latinx students such as financial obstacles and cultural disparities. By pooling resources and expertise, Rompiendo Barreras seeks to reimagine the transfer process and promote student success and inclusivity. The initiative has resulted in significant enrollment growth and increased articulation agreements, showcasing its commitment to empowering Latinx students academically and socially.
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Opening Reception & Grand Opening of Exhibit Hall
Visit exhibitors and meet fellow attendees.
Concurrent Workshops
Breaking the Adobe Ceiling: Empowering Latina Leaders in Higher Education
Join us for a powerful panel workshop delving into the underrepresentation of Latina leaders in higher education. Explore the impact of identity, positionality, and cultural capital on their leadership development. Learn strategies for navigating systemic inequities and leveraging Latinidad for transformative change. Break through barriers together.
Federal Funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Federal agency representatives will discuss grant opportunities that are available to HSIs and other higher education institutions. This panel will actively engage participants in a discussion about available opportunities that benefit colleges and universities.
Building the Passport to Study Abroad Pipeline
HSI recipients of the Institute of International Education American Passport Project grant share their successful practices for developing a comprehensive passport-to-study abroad strategy for Pell-eligible students. In this interactive session, attendees will learn about the IIE American Passport Project and how to develop a passport advising strategy based on their institutional context. Presenters will share solutions to potential challenges encountered, particularly those that arise when working with historically underrepresented or high-need students.
Enriching Student Learning with Global Competencies: What We Have Learned
This presentation addresses the experience of one institution in the drafting of a model to incorporate global skills and internationalize the curriculum through the adoption of the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) methodology. Presenters will share the achievements encountered in the process to offer their diverse student population equitable educational opportunities to become career-ready in a globalized society. Participants will have the opportunity to workshop an idea for the implementation of global learning in their institutions.
Saturday, Nov. 2
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Standing-up an HSI Initiatives Office: The UArizona Case Study
The University of Arizona was designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in 2018. Since then, the institution has seen exponential growth in its HSI related efforts to enact servingness. These capacity building efforts have transitioned the institution from Hispanic-enrolling to Hispanic-serving, and multiple strategies have been engaged to foster this transition. This session will provide a timeline of the strategies, tools and programs that UArizona implemented over the past five years to bring its HSI designation to life.
Leading towards HSI “Servingness” through Strategy and an Equity-minded approach
This session seeks to discuss the equity-minded approach taken through integrating elements from the Mutidimensional Conceptual Framework for Servingness in HSIs (Garcia, Nuñez, & Sansone, 2019) and the Achieving the Dream Model, sharing the strategies used in order to critically assess current practices through a race-conscious lens centering Hispanic/Latinx Students. This was the collaborative efforts of an HSI Task Force over a year that led to the development of a framework, recommendations, and efforts towards servingness.
Computer Science pathways: The Importance of Comprehensive Assistance for Dual Enrollment Programs
In the realm of dual enrollment, where high school students have the opportunity to earn college credits, it is crucial to provide holistic support for computer science pathways. This support should encompass a wide range of areas to ensure the success of students in these programs. We share the strategies implemented to successfully retain cohorts of students enrolled in dual enrollment and for those students to complete sequences of courses in a specific content area.
HACU National Internship Program Workshop: The Future is Now
The HACU National Internship Program, the nation’s largest Hispanic college internship program, has been recognized by federal and corporate entities for a 30-year history of bringing forth opportunities to talented college and graduate students. HACU continues to work with our corporate and federal partners to increase diversity, inclusion and equity within their organizations. Students develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that make them more competitive for future employment through these internships. Learn how students can benefit from paid internships and professional development opportunities through HNIP.
HACU Professional Leadership Programs—Preparing the Next Generation of Culturally Diverse Leaders
An overview of HACU’s professional leadership programs and other initiatives will be shared. HACU Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo, an executive level program created to increase the number of culturally diverse leaders to serve as presidents and chancellors of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Emerging HSIs. The Enlace Mid-Level Leadership Program was established to increase the number of top Latino/a talent for leadership positions in higher education. A panel from the fifth cohort of La Academia de Liderazgo will discuss their Proyectos Transformativos (special projects), completed during the program to increase their marketability and make transformative changes on their campuses. Challenges and lessons learned during development and implementation will be discussed.
Experiences of LGBTQ+ Latinx Students at California Community College HSIs
This presentation is based on a study that explores the experiences of self-identified LGBTQ+ Latinx students enrolled at California community college Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Grounded in Latino critical race theory, servingness, and queer theory underpinnings, this study used phenomenology to understand the lived experiences of eight LGBTQ+ Latinx students enrolled at California HSIs. Recommendations for practice and policy offer practitioners a tool to gauge ways to complicate and reconceptualize servingness and HSI policy.
Join the HACU Government Relations team for a briefing and update on higher education policies impacting Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). This session will highlight the latest policy developments on Capitol Hill, including the status of the Federal Fiscal Year appropriations and its impact on the Hispanic higher education community. A portion of this workshop will highlight best practices and strategies amplifying HSI messaging and outreach.
This presentation explores how seven pilot institutions of higher education, part of HACU’s and Dominion Energy’s Building Hispanic Talent Initiative®, engage high school students to increase diversity at their institutions and representation in their STEM programs while also building pathways to the energy and STEM workforce. Panelists will share key findings and lessons learned from the initiative now in its third year, as well as strategies on how to best implement rich experiential learning opportunities.
Presenters will link a Hispanic-Serving Institution grant supported workforce development model to HACU’s mission and vision. After the overview of the model, speakers will engage the audience through polling questions and discussion of industry trends like stackable courses, effective partnerships with independent school districts and community colleges, and guided pathways to achieve higher outputs of Hispanic nurses.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Noon – 1:30 p.m. Power Lunch
The luncheon program will include presentations of HACU Awards of Excellence to individuals and organizations that have exemplified HACU’s mission of championing Hispanic higher education success.
2:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Engaging JEDI Principles to Increase Latinx Student Online Engagement
We built this online leadership for educational organizations master’s program at an emerging Hispanic-Serving Insitution on the foundational concepts of equity and social justice. Focused on leading change for student success in higher education, the program has served 68% students of color and 54% Latinx students since its inception. Students build confidence, academic skills, practitioner knowledge, and social justice competence by understanding the power their multiple intersected identities and community cultural wealth bring to higher education spaces.
Championing Experiential Learning: Committed to Career Equity and Social Mobility
Discover the transformative experiential learning programs of Professional Apprentice Career Experience (PACE) and MathWorks Scholars Program at UMass Boston, offering students experiential learning, mentorship and industry exposure. Our presentation will delve into these innovative models. A student panel will discuss how these programs have fostered career readiness, social capital, and equitable employment opportunities, and how these experiences have transformed their lives as both students and professionals.
Navigating Ways to Uplife Nonpartisan Student Political participation at HSIs
The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge HSI Community of Practice Fellows are in the third year implementation of the Community of Practice model (Lave & Wenger, 1991) to build civic capacity on their own campuses and convene cohorts of Hispanic-Serving Institutions, collectively co-creating fluid learning spaces for an exchange of ideas and best practices around institutionalizing civic engagement. Join this session to hear institutionalizing nonpartisan civic engagement.
New Jersey City University’s Turnaround from a $20 Million Deficit
New Jersey City University faced a daunting $20 million deficit in June 2022, which led to the implementation of financial exigency. Despite the uncertain future, the university made tough operational and financial decisions that have successfully turned the financial report from red to black. This presentation provides valuable insights on how the university tackled this challenge, and the decisions made and implemented.
A Charla with USDA – A Fireside Chat with USDA Leadership on USDA’s Engagement with the Hispanic and Latina/o Community
Join us for a discussion with USDA leadership and dialog on how USDA is partnering with Hispanic and Latina/o stakeholders across America through programs and initiatives such as The USDA Equity Commission, The Inflation Reduction Act; NextGen Leaders Program; USDA HEP and CAMP Internship Program; and more! USDA is committed to uplifting the Hispanic and Latina/o community, which includes investing in the next generation of Hispanic and Latina/o leaders and workforce with engagement that is centered on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Future-Proofing Careers: The CLR’s Impact on Education and Employability
This session highlights Territorium’s Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR) with embedded badging, stackable achievements, and AI-driven job matching, showcasing its role in enhancing institution appeal, improving student retention, and meeting the demands of career-focused learners. Discover how CLR technology positions educational institutions at the forefront of innovation, significantly impacting enrollment and student success metrics.
Saturday, Nov. 2
3:55 - 5:10 p.m.
Exploring NSF Opportunities to Support Broadening Participation at Hispanic-Serving Institutions
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the leading funding source of all federally supported basic research conducted by America’s colleges and universities. This session will provide an overview of funding opportunities from various NSF Directorates which are related to broadening participation in STEM and increasing diversity in research. Participants will also receive tips on how to align their diversity, equity and student success initiatives with the NSF merit review criteria.
Building Research Capacity with the All of Us Research Program
All of Us is building the nation’s largest, most diverse biomedical dataset and engages researchers across all backgrounds and career levels to accelerate health research. We invite students, faculty, administrators and advocates to join our session and learn about how the program supports institutions and researchers utilizing the All of Us dataset with capacity building, training and education, program resources and funding opportunities.
Success Pathways: Building an Inclusive Teacher Pipeline
Reading Area Community College tackles the teacher pipeline crisis with an adaptable Early Pathway, designed to support Spanish first language students. Leveraging Universal Design for Learning principles and stackable credentials, it aids individuals across career stages and traditional entry students. English language learning (ELL) peer mentors and coaches augment support. Renowned for its excellence, it provides replicable strategies for boosting Hispanic enrollment and robust ELL student support. Session outcomes involve identifying replicable components to support diverse learners.
Dream Builders: Empowering Student Success through Fund Sueños
Join us for an exploration of Fund Sueños 2.0, an innovative initiative at Colorado Mountain College dedicated to empowering and equipping undocumented students. Discover our strategic journey, impactful partnerships, and the holistic support we provide. Together, we will delve into our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, aiming to transform lives and foster a brighter future.
Innovative Programing and Partnerships Leading to Student Success
Fellows from the Hispanic Leadership Institute at the State University of New York will present validated strategies to educate and provide a voice to our increasingly diverse student communities. The panelist will discuss programs to increase diversity, build bridges between practice and academia, and novel strategies to raise student voices aiming to dismantle institutional barriers. Fellows will also expose participants to actionable developments in the field to support our diverse student communities.
Mitigating Silos: Cross-functional Collaboration to Foster Engagement and Cultivate Leadership
This evidenced based practitioner scholar presentation from a chief of staff at a Hispanic-Serving Institution campus in a highly matrixed state regional system addresses the persistent challenges of silos in higher education. Findings include systemic barriers that perpetuate silos. Recommendations include blended leadership models for mitigating silos and fostering engagement, cultivating leadership and achieving improved student outcomes.
Higher Education Legal Update
The legal landscape for higher education is shifting beneath our feet. HSIs are particularly affected by the recent court decisions involving diversity in admissions as well as state legislation on DEIB initiatives and curriculum. Understanding the current legal landscape will help guide and support your institution and students on the path forward to fulfilling commitments to equity and related values.
Internationalization Initiatives at the Rio Piedras Campus of the University of Puerto Rico; The Role of Strategic Alliances at the National and Global Level
The Rio Piedras campus of the UPR established an internationalization initiative in 2022 seeking to position the historic campus as a leader in higher education and research in Iberoamerica and the Hispanic communities of the United States. Through a sample of specific examples and effective efforts, we will present the strategies that the campus has used over the past years to maintain and continue creating academic links that connect students, professors and researchers of our institution.
9:10 - 10:15 a.m.
International Plenary
This plenary session will feature a panel discussion on the latest trends related to the internationalization of higher education. A question and answer session will follow.
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
How Nevada’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution Led to Statewide Transformational Change
The first HSI in Nevada, College of Southern Nevada, has utilized Title V to enhance the Southern region. As a multicampus model, CSN engages effectively and efficiently across three campuses while serving as a bridge for other Southern Nevada HSIs. This presentation will showcase how CSN has become a driving force for economic development and transformational change within the region and facilitate a roundtable conversation to learn how other campuses can implement this model.
AlamoBooks+: Supporting Equity and Students’ Readiness for Success
Alamo Colleges District (ACD), the largest provider of higher education in South Texas, is committed to eradicating intergenerational poverty through education and training. AlamoBooks+, ACD’s high-impact instructional materials program, removes the barrier of high-cost instructional materials to support students’ social and economic mobility. Participants will learn how ACD took a proof of concept to scale to develop the innovative AlamoBooks+ program, which provides universal access to instructional materials, including open educational resources, for all students.
Implementation of Accelerated Learning Program on Developmental Mathematics Students
The Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) is showing promising results for developmental mathematics students. The ALP model implemented in the current four-year technical college was developed as a co-requisite model, where the students enrolled in both developmental and college-level courses. A study was conducted to observe the effects of ALP on academic achievement and retention of developmental mathematics over multiple semesters. The results suggested positive effects of ALP and alternate methods of acceleration will be shared.
Bilingual Excellence: Strengthening College-Going Pipeline with English-Spanish TV
This session on bilingual education offers you a sneak peek into the “Learn With Me” TV series, created by community college leaders, K-12 educators, and PBS media professionals in San Bernardino, California. This program teaches English and Spanish to children to support bilingual excellence and strengthen the college-going pipeline. Learn how to bring this innovative partnership to your community.
The Best Kept Secret in Developing Latina(o) CC Leaders
NCCHC Fellows Alumni: Lessons Learned
This session will report on a national study of the National Community College Hispanic Council Leadership Fellow Alums in their success to the pathway as future Presidents/ Chancellors. Fellows will share their experiences in the NCCHC Fellows Leadership Program and the Fellows curricular program components that influenced their development as leaders and professionals. They will discuss strategies that helped them in that development, the importance of supporting NCCHC, and its advocacy role of “paying it forward.”
Fireside Chat with Federal Agency Leaders and Program
Join us for a panel discussion with various federal agency leaders and a dialog on how they can serve as partners and collaborators along with Hispanic stakeholders. These agencies are committed to uplifting the HSI community and are investing in the next generation of Hispanic leaders and workforce with engagement that is centered on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Making An Impact: Minority Male Teacher Recruiment and Retention Rialto Unified School District
In collaboration with California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), Rialto Unified School District’s (RUSD) Project Impact is an initiative spurred out of the need to increase the presence of minority male teachers in the K-12 classroom setting. This initiative supports men employed in RUSD returning to CSUSB to attain a teaching credential, with financial support, mentoring and job opportunities to men committed to the teaching profession within the community.
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Partnership Lunch
The luncheon program will include presentations of HACU Awards of Excellence to individuals and organizations that have exemplified HACU’s mission of championing Hispanic higher education success.
Sunday, Nov. 3
2:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Keys to Success in Growing Philanthropic Support for Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Panelists will draw from research on ethnic alumni philanthropy, including studies on Latino giving motivations, and explore strategies for increased giving to HSIs from individuals, including alumni, foundations, and corporations. Understanding the motivations of Latino donors is crucial given Hispanics’ status as the largest majority minority in the United States. Recognizing the cultural nuances and relational aspects of Latino philanthropy can enhance engagement with diverse donor bases and social impact overall. Panelists discuss how research findings can be integrated into actionable strategies for cultivating philanthropic relationships. A leading case study will highlight the fundraising success of the University of La Verne. Dr. Devorah Lieberman, President Emerita, will discuss how HSIs best position themselves for major fundraising campaigns to build capacity and optimize financial and reputational impact.
Boundary Pushing: The Journey toward Hispanic-Serving at a Rural HSI
Colorado Mountain College became an HSI in 2021. In the years leading up to reaching the status, efforts at the college had primarily focused on increasing enrollment of Hispanic/ Latino/a students. Since attaining the status, the Office of Strategic Initiatives has encouraged the college toward servingness by pushing on all boundaries around “traditional” college life, including data collection and usage, English as Second Language, dual enrollment and program design.
Empowering Adjunct Faculty: Cultivating Excellence and Equity
Through the Gateways Title V Grant, the Teaching and Learning Center developed an Adjunct Faculty Professional Development Series to foster excellence and community by providing intentional and engaging training to adjunct faculty. Through workshops featuring best practices, easy to implement pedagogical approaches, and connections to resources, adjunct faculty enhanced pedagogical skills with opportunities to network and became familiar with student support services and other resources. This presentation highlights the series’ development on faculty workshops and its impact on the adjunct community within the HSI context.
Fostering College Success through Testimonios and Family College Knowing Workshops
Explore testimonios’ impact on high school families’ college success with Project Outreach FAMILIA’s College Academy for Parents (CAP), a University of Arizona Excelencia What Works program. Join our mock CAP workshop and discuss our evidence-based approach, designed for elementary parents and now extended to high school families through local school partnerships. Focusing on first-generation college-bound students, we foster meaningful discussions with families about the college process, requirements, financing and creating a supportive home culture.
Digital Dreamers: Fostering Support for Undergraduate Latinx Students Enrolled in Online Programs
As online learning and education programs prepare for more strategic and expansive roles in navigating the higher education landscape in 2024, institutional leaders (both internal and external to online education spaces) must examine how they are holistically providing supports to students enrolled in these online programs. This facilitated discussion will examine the considerations for supporting Latinx undergraduate students who enroll in fully-online academic programs.
Advancing Equity in Academia: Incorporating DEI into Promotion and Tenure
This presentation will provide effective resources for supporting the diversity of the professoriate, who work on the front lines of student engagement and create new knowledge on diversity, equity, inclusion and justice. To empower our faculty in this critical work, the presenter will argue that promotion and tenure standards must incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria in all areas of review (teaching, research, and service) and will share lessons learned from their home institution.
Intersectionality as Inquiry & Praxis for Advancing Equity
Metrics & Student Success in Hispanic-Serving Insitutions
What patterns of educational inequalities remain invisible when we report six-year undergraduate graduation rates by race alone, gender alone, ethnicity alone or parent level of education (first-generation college status) alone in graduation and particularly in STEM majors/fields? Our presentation leverages 10 years of institutional data from six HSIs in New Mexico and New York to provide a focused examination of intersectional inequities at HSIs that remain invisible in most equity-minded metrics, policy and practices.
Building Partnerships with USAID through Coordination and Collaboration
This session will provide an overview of the USAID and how USAID partners with higher education institutions, with a special focus on Minority Serving Institutions, to advance sustainable development goals. Through a panel discussion featuring the USAID’s senior policy advisor and HSI representatives, education professionals will gain an in-depth understanding of how the agency is prioritizing inclusive partnerships with HSIs, both in Washington, D.C., and our overseas missions, and how these partnerships advance global equity and inclusion, inclusive education and sustainable development goals. Learn how your HSI can grow its capabilities to serve as a USAID Implementing Partner and leverage your institution’s innovation and expertise in a global context.
Sunday, Nov. 3
2:00 - 3:15 p.m. Concurrent Workshops
UNO’s Learn and Earn: Paving the Way to Tech Careers
University of Nebraska Omaha’s (UNO) Learn and Earn initiative from the College of Information Science & Technology immerses students in tech through early job shadows, semester-long projects, and year-long internships. Prioritizing early career exploration and financial stability enhances social mobility, particularly for economically disadvantaged students. This workshop evaluates the program’s objectives, impact, future goals and challenges, emphasizing the crucial role of privatesector partnerships in providing opportunities and facilitating students’ transition to the professional world.
3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
HACU Town Hall
This interactive session will feature a panel discussion on a higher education topic of interest. A question and answer session will follow.
6:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Networking Dinner/Dance
The closing dinner event of HACU’s Annual Conference provides an additional opportunity to engage with fellow conference attendees at an evening of networking, with a dance to follow.
The HACU ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute (Student Track) is offered for undergraduate students and takes place in conjunction with the general conference.
Agenda At-A-Glance
Thursday, Oct. 31
12:00 – 8:00 p.m. Student Registration 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Mini Sessions (Optional)
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Leaders-in-Residence Welcome Reception (Private Event)
Friday, Nov. 1
7:00 a.m. – Noon Student Registration
8:00 – 8:50 a.m. Student/Employer Networking Breakfast 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Orientation/Networking Session
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. President’s Welcome 10:15 – 10:25 a.m. Break
10:30 – 11:55 p.m. Meet the Employers
12:10 – 1:00 p.m. Student Lunch – Breakout Sessions
1:05 – 1:20 p.m. Break 1:25 – 2:15 p.m. Employer Career Panels Round 1
2:20 – 2:30 p.m. Break
2:35 – 3:25 p.m. Employer Career Panels Round 2
3:30 – 3:55p.m. Partner Speed Networking Activity
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Opening Plenary 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Opening Reception and Grand Opening of Exhibit Hall: Career Connections Round 1
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Cyber Cafe
Saturday, Nov. 2
8:00 – 8:55 a.m. Student/Employer Networking Breakfast 9:05 – 9:55 a.m. Professional Development Workshops A 10:00 – 10:10 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m Cyber Cafe 10:15 – 11:05 a.m. Professional Development Workshops B 11:10 – 11:20 a.m. Break 11:25 – 11:45 a.m. Peer Speed Networking Activity
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Power Lunch 1:45 – 3:10 p.m. Exhibit Hall: Career Connections Round 2
3:20 – 4:10 p.m. Employer Career Panel Round 3 4:15 – 5:05 p.m. Professional Development Workshops C 5:10 – 6:00 p.m. Group Photos
Sunday, Nov. 3
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. Final Student/Employer Networking Breakfast
8:50 – 9:40 a.m. Professional Development Workshops D 9:45 – 10:00 a.m. Break
10:05 – 11:55 a.m. Exhibit Hall: Career Connections Round 3 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Partnership Lunch 2:00 – 3:10 p.m. Student Debrief/Networking & Prize Raffles
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Coffee Break 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. HACU Town Hall 6:30 – 10:30 p.m. Networking Dinner/Dance