The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities joined higher education leaders and students at Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes and Assemblymember Mike Fong’s April 27, 2026, press conference at the state Capitol in Sacramento, California, highlighting the “Empowering California’s Future Initiative” in support of SB 1255 and AB 2374.
SB 1255 (Reyes) would establish a state level Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. AB 2374 (Fong) would create a similar designation for Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANHPI-Serving Institutions) designation.
Noemi Lujan Perez, executive director of state government relations of HACU’s Western Regional Office spoke on behalf of the Association, thanking Sen. Reyes, Assemblymember Fong and higher education partners for expanding student opportunity.
Perez noted HACU is proud to co-sponsor SB 1255, emphasizing that Hispanic-Serving Institutions educate a large share of California’s low-income and first-generation students and play a central role in the state’s workforce.
“This bill establishes a state designation in a thoughtful, practical and impactful way, and positions California to better align its education and workforce strategies, without creating a new system or a new mandate,” Perez said.
More than 170 California colleges and universities qualify as HSIs, preparing nurses, teachers, engineers, public servants, and innovators, she said.
As California continues investing in workforce development and economic growth, those efforts must align with institutions educating the majority of the future workforce, she added.
Also speaking were California Community Colleges Deputy Chancellor Rowena M. Tomaneng; Los Angeles Community College District Chancellor Alberto J. Román; San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez; and representatives from the University of California and California State University systems.
Perez urged policymakers and partners to support “Sen. Reyes, Assemblymember Fong, and SB 1255.”
To view images from the event, click here.
