The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities held the HSInnovators Student Track for over 100 participants from colleges and universities across the country as part of HACU’s 30th Annual Capitol Forum, April 29-30, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Students attended two preconference sessions on April 29, to learn more about advocating for Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the country and the crucial role these colleges and universities play in educating 5.6 million students.
The session, “Successfully Advocating for Hispanic-Serving Institutions,” provided a background of demographics at HSIs and HACU’s advocacy initiatives allowing students to develop a briefing approach for their members of Congress and create compelling advocacy pitches. The session, “Crafting and Delivering your HSI Advocacy Pitch,” gave selected students the opportunity to present their pitch, receiving guidance and feedback on clarity, persuasiveness, and relevance to HSI advocacy.
The following students were recognized as the top three pitch presenters: first – Ivan M.*, second – Giana V.*, and third – Jensy J. of Bergen Community College.
Students from HACU’s advocacy and leadership program Voces Nuevas were also in attendance at the Capitol Forum. The 15 students and their schools are:
Arizona State University – Mariana N.
Cypress College – William N.
DePaul University – Giana V.*
El Camino College – Jesus S.
Lamar University – Daisy E.
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico – Camila R.
Southwestern University – Emily D.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio – Jeffrey D.
Texas Tech University – Claudia R.
The University of Texas at Austin – Esmeralda H.
The University of Texas at Austin – Ivan M.*
The University of Texas at San Antonio – Miranda M.
University of California, Los Angeles – Angel A.
University of California, Riverside – Nathalia M.
University of California, Santa Barbara – Eddie B.
All students attend the Capitol Forum plenaries and participate in Capitol Hill visits meeting with their Congress members, along with other attendees from their home institutions.
To view images from the event, click here.
