The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has announced the agenda and speakers of its 15th Annual Deans’ Forum, a pre-conference event taking place 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 30, 2026, at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, in conjunction with HACU’s 40th Annual Conference.
The Deans’ Forum will explore topics under the theme “From Access to Completion: The Dean’s Playbook for Student Success.” Jeanie Machado Tyler, vice president of instruction at Cuyamaca College, will serve as moderator.
Featured speakers include Reetika Dhawan, Ed.D., president of Arizona Western College, who will present “The Modern Academic Leaders: Leading Through Change, Building Trust, and Delivering Results,” and Lennor M. Johnson, Ed.D., superintendent/president of Imperial Valley College, who will present “From Dean to College President in Five Years: Leadership, Relationships, and an Aspen Prize Journey.”
The forum will also feature a panel discussion with senior administrators and former deans for a conversation on leadership and student success. Panelists include Terry C. Mena, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Northeastern Illinois University; Anthony Muscat, Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs at Cal State University, East Bay; Lorraine Stofft, vice president for advancement and AWC foundation executive director at Arizona Western College; and Susan Topham, Ed.D., vice chancellor of educational services at San Diego Community College District.
For agenda, click here. To register online, click here.
The 15th Annual Deans’ Forum is a pre-conference event of HACU’s 40th Annual Conference taking place in Chula Vista, California, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, 2026.
