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. 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., recipient of the Lifelong Leadership Award for lifelong service to higher education; Community College of Aurora, recipient of the Outstanding HACU-Member Institution Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission; GlobalEdu Consortium, recipient of the Exemplary International Partner Award in recognition of outstanding support of HACU's international mission; Dominion Energy, recipient of 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, recipient of the Outstanding Public Sector Partner Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission; and Virgilio Barrera, recipient of the Alicia Casanova Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission.

This recognition matters because it highlights the critical work being done to support Hispanic students in higher education at a time when educational equity remains a pressing national issue. The awards demonstrate how partnerships between educational institutions, private corporations, and government agencies can create meaningful pathways for student success. For the broader higher education industry, these recognitions serve as models for how institutions can effectively support diverse student populations and prepare future leaders. The impact extends to communities nationwide, as educated Hispanic professionals contribute significantly to economic growth and democratic participation.