HACU to Honor Seven Leaders and Institutions for Advancing Hispanic Higher Education

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has announced seven honorees will be recognized for their contributions to improving opportunities for college students. The awards will be presented during HACU's 39th Annual Conference, "Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Forging Transformational Leaders to Uplift Democracy and Prosperity," taking place November 1-3, 2025, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado.

As the nation's leading voice for Hispanic-Serving Institutions, HACU has been instrumental in securing the support of federal, corporate and higher education communities for programs and initiatives advancing higher education. The Association's efforts range from the nationally recognized HACU National Internship Program providing college students real world professional experience, to its HACU Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo and Enlace Mid-level Leadership program which aim to prepare aspiring leaders to advance through the administrative ranks of higher education.

One honoree will be inducted into HACU's Hall of Champions, recognizing those who embody the mission of the Association through their exemplary efforts and contributions to higher education. Félix V. Matos Rodriguez, Ph.D., is the eighth chancellor of The City University of New York (CUNY), which serves nearly 240,000 degree-seeking students across 26 New York City campuses with an operating budget of $4.1 billion. Matos Rodríguez has focused his tenure on championing student equity, building career opportunities for graduates and creating innovative academic offerings to build on CUNY's unrivaled role as an engine of economic mobility. An accomplished and award-winning historian who previously worked at three CUNY campuses, his appointment made him the first educator of color and the first Latino to lead the nation's largest urban university.

Six additional honorees will be presented with HACU Awards of Excellence. Tito Guerrero, Ed.D., will receive the Lifelong Leadership Award for lifelong service to higher education. The Community College of Aurora will receive the Outstanding HACU-Member Institution Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission. GlobalEdu Consortium will be honored with the Exemplary International Partner Award in recognition of outstanding support of HACU's international mission. Dominion Energy will receive the Outstanding Private Sector Partner Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission. New Mexico Higher Education Department, Cabinet Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez, will be presented with the Outstanding Public Sector Partner Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission. Virgilio Barrera will receive the Alicia Casanova Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission.

The recognition of these seven honorees underscores the critical importance of collaborative efforts across educational institutions, government agencies, and private sector organizations in advancing Hispanic higher education. These awards highlight the multifaceted approach required to address educational disparities and create meaningful pathways for Hispanic students. The impact extends beyond individual recognition, serving as a catalyst for continued investment in programs that support student success, leadership development, and career readiness within Hispanic-serving educational environments.

The timing of these awards during HACU's annual conference, which focuses on forging transformational leaders to uplift democracy and prosperity, emphasizes the broader societal implications of educational equity. As Hispanic students represent one of the fastest-growing demographic groups in higher education, initiatives supported by organizations like HACU and recognized through these awards contribute significantly to workforce development, economic mobility, and democratic participation. The recognition of diverse partners from community colleges to energy corporations demonstrates the comprehensive ecosystem necessary to support Hispanic student success and institutional excellence.