November 30, 2022

USDA-HACU Leadership Group announced

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have announced the USDA-HACU Leadership Group. Five leaders from Hispanic-Serving Institutions will serve with USDA representatives. The leadership group is an initiative as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores on Aug. 25, 2021.

“HACU is pleased to partner once again with USDA on this important leadership group that will offer invaluable insights on collaborative opportunities forHispanic-Serving Institutions and the USDA,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “Hispanics are the nation’s youngest and fastest-growing population, and together we can prepare the next generation of agriculture professionals and scientists to have a workforce that reflects this changing demographic.”

USDA-HACU Leadership Group is a national body that focuses on ensuring that the Hispanic community equitably participates in and benefits from USDA education and employment programs, resources and services.

“USDA is committed to centering Latino voices and experiences to provide equitable access to programming,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Our partnership with HACU through this Leadership Group is crucial to providing leadership and strategic direction for USDA’s work with Hispanic-Serving Institutions.”

HACU members include:

  • Mike Flores, Chancellor, Alamo Colleges District (Co-Chair)
  • Cesar Maldonado, Chancellor, Houston Community College System
  • Tomás Morales, President, California State University, San Bernardino
  • Madeline Pumariega, President, Miami Dade College
  • Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President, California State University, Fresno

USDA members include:

  • Jenny Lester Moffitt, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (Co-Chair)
  • Karama Neal, Administrator, Rural Business – Cooperative Service, USDA Rural Development
  • Bruce Summers, Administrator, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
  • Randy Moore, Chief, USDA Forest Service
  • Dionne Toombs, Acting Director, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Related: HACU and USDA sign MOU to continue 31-year partnership



  

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California.

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