February 4, 2020

HACU fellow, Daniel López, Jr., appointed as president of Harold Washington College

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is pleased to announce the appointment of a HACU fellow from its Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo to college president.

The City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Daniel López, Jr., Ph.D., as president of Harold Washington College (HWC) at the end of last year. On January 21, 2020, López assumed the position as president of HWC in Chicago, Ill. 

The appointment is a homecoming for López, who earned his associate degree from HWC. López earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication from University of Illinois at Springfield, a Master of Education from Loyola University in Chicago, and a doctorate in higher education administration from Illinois State University.

“We congratulate Dr. Daniel López on his appointment as president of Harold Washington College,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “Dr. López’s return to HWC is full circle, having once been a first-generation college student at the College and now returning with more than 25 years of higher education experience to lead his alma mater.”

Previously López, served as vice president of student affairs at Northeastern Illinois University, a Hispanic-Serving Institution with 9,000 students in Chicago.

"As a former undocumented, first generation and ESL student, it is a privilege and honor to return to HWC as President,” said López. “I will always be indebted to HWC for giving me a first-class education, helping me to discover and strengthen my leadership skills, preparing me for the university and introducing me to higher education as a career. I look forward to joining this student-centered institution which continues to educate and serve students like me."

López is a fellow of the inaugural cohort HACU’s Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo, a one-year program designed to prepare the next generation of culturally diverse leaders for executive and senior level positions in higher education. Information is available at hacu.net/leadershipacademy. Applications for HACU’s second cohort will be accepted through March 6, 2020. 

About HACU
HACU, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. The mission of HACU is to Champion Hispanic Success in Higher Education. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are located in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington D.C., and Sacramento, California. 
                                                                        
CONTACT: 
Norma Jean Revilla-Garcia 
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing 
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities 
210-576-3206