The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has announced the agenda and speakers of its 24th Annual Latino Higher Education Leadership Institute, a pre-conference event taking place Nov. 1, 2025, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, in conjunction with HACU’s 39th Annual Conference. The one-day Institute will focus on vital skills and strategies for moving up the faculty and administrative ladders in higher education.
Speakers and presentations will focus on topics under the theme “Building Transformational Leaders at All Levels to Strengthen Democracy and Prosperity.” The Institute will be facilitated by Jerid Counterman, assistant vice president, student achievement and services, Colorado State University Global, and feature a morning keynote presentation by Havidán Rodríguez, Ph.D., president, University at Albany, SUNY.
Three concurrent breakout sessions will take place, with the first titled “You Deserve to Be Here: Claiming Space and Building Legacy as an Underrepresented Leader,” will be held by Keyimani Alford, Ph.D., associate vice president for student access and success, Madison Area Technical College.
The second session titled “Elevating Leadership: A Framework for Leadership Development and Institutional Impact,” will be held by Timothy Young, Ed.D., Director, MAED school psychology program, PPOHA grant director/ Ed.D. faculty mentor, Concordia University Irvine; and Erika Sanchez, HSI director, Concordia University Irvine. The third session titled “No One Leads Alone: Building Your Path with Mentors, Models, and Sponsors,” will be held by Alberto J.F. Cardelle, Ph.D., president, SUNY Oneonta.
The luncheon keynote speaker will be Marie Lynn Miranda, Ph.D., chancellor, University of Illinois Chicago, followed by an afternoon session on the “White House Fellowship Program,” presented by Francisco Leija and David Schulz who will provide information about the leadership and service program.
The Institute concludes with a Presidents’ Panel that includes Salvador D. Aceves, Ed.D., president, University of San Francisco; Pam Eddinger, Ph.D., president, Bunker Hill Community College; and Jose Fierro, D.V.M., Ph.D., president/superintendent, Cerritos College.
