SAN ANTONIO, TX – October 25, 2017 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) will hosts its 31st Annual Conference «Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Driving America’s Prosperity» Oct. 28-30, 2017, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, in San Diego, California. The conference event is expected to draw a record number of 2,000 attendees.
Celebrity speakers Cheech Marin and Justina Machado will join David Villarino Gonzalez and host Rick Najera for a HACU Town Hall presented on Oct. 30 by Latino Thought Makers to discuss how Latinos in media and education are changing the narrative and creating opportunities. Marin is an actor, director, writer, musician, art collector, and humanitarian; Machado is an actress, Netflix’s One Day at a Time, Queen of the South, Jane the Virgin. Gonzalez is president of the board of directors and CEO of the Farmworker Institute of Education and Leadership Development (FIELD Institute); and Najera is an award-winning sketch comedian, screenwriter, director, producer, actor, author, playwright, coach and national speaker.
An International Plenary, “International Education as a Key Driver of Western Hemispheric Prosperity,” moderated by Diana Z. Rodriguez, President of San Bernardino Valley College, will take place on Oct. 30 and includes speakers: Francisco “Paco” Palmieri, acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemispheric Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Roman Macaya Hayes, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United States; and Sue Henderson, President, New Jersey City University. The plenary will include a discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing Latin American and Caribbean nations to increase participation in cross-national programs, particularly with the U.S.
Among the conference attendees will be more than 750 undergraduates taking part in the conference Student Track. To download a PDF version of HACU’s Annual Conference Program, click here.
HACU will recognize seven honorees that have contributed to improving opportunities for college students. Among them are two leading individuals to be inducted into HACU’s Hall of Champions, which recognizes those who have advanced the mission of the Association, “To Champion Hispanic Success in Higher Education.”
The 2017 honorees are:
HACU Hall of Champions, inductee, the late Milton A. Gordon, Ph.D., former president, California State University, Fullerton.
HACU Hall of Champions, inductee, Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, Ph.D., vice president of Student Affairs, University of New Mexico.
Exemplary Policy Advocacy Leadership Award in recognition of exemplary leadership and support of HACU’s policy issues, The Honorable Susan Davis, United States House of Representatives.
Distinguished Public Service Award in recognition of exemplary and longstanding public service, The Honorable Gonzalo P. Curiel, District Judge of the U.S. District Court Southern District of California.
The President’s Award of Excellence in recognition of outstanding service to Hispanic higher education success, William Flores, Ph.D., chair of HACU’s Governing Board.
Outstanding HACU-Member Institution in recognition of excellence in support of HACU’s mission, New Jersey University.
Outstanding HACU Public Sector Partner for outstanding leadership and support of HACU’s mission from a federal partner, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
San Diego residents and visitors are invited to attend HACU’s College and Career Fair in the Exhibit Hall, Sunday, Oct. 29 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. College workshop for students and their families will be presented.
HACU will also host pre and post conference events including: 16th Annual Latino Higher Education Leadership Institute; Third PreK-12/Higher Education Collaboration Symposium; Sixth Annual Deans’ Forum on Hispanic Higher Education; and a Trustees’ Forum.
About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) represents more than 470 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America and Spain. The association’s headquarters are located in San Antonio, Texas, with offices in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, California. HACU, the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
Editors: Registrations are accepted for media on assignment to cover HACU’s 31st Annual Conference. To request a media pass email njgarcia@hacu.net.