The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities was founded 40 years ago with 18 charter members in San Antonio, Texas, growing to more than 500 member institutions committed to championing the success of Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the students they serve. For the last 30 years, Antonio R. Flores has led the Association to be the leading voice of advocacy for colleges and universities.
Prior to his position at HACU, Flores served as director of programs and services for the Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority and the Michigan Higher Education Student Loan Authority.
Flores joined HACU on February 26, 1996, overseeing the development and advancement of policy and legislation supporting Hispanic-Serving Institutions and their students across the country. More than $6 billion has been allocated over the years due to his leadership of the Association’s efforts to increase annual federal funding for HSIs.
He developed new and improved HACU programs while leveraging expanded international partnerships and membership into internship and scholarship opportunities for students. The HACU National Internship Program, the scholarship program, and student leadership and career development programs like Voces Nuevas, Emerging Leaders’ Summit, Capital One Launchpad: Legacy & Leadership Program, the Dominion Energy Building Hispanic Talent Initiative® and the ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute were all established under his tenure.
The faculty and staff at HACU-member institutions also benefit from programs developed under Flores. HACU’s Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo, Enlace Mid-Level Leadership Program, and Ascend PreK-12 Leadership Program provide faculty and staff with career development opportunities that were ground-breaking at their inception.
Flores earned a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He holds a master’s in counseling and personnel from Western Michigan University, and bachelor’s degrees in business administration and elementary education from Universidad de Guadalajara and Centro Normal Regional, Mexico, respectively.
HACU salutes Antonio R. Flores for his 30 years of service during HACU’s 40th anniversary year and extends a thank you to everyone for their support throughout the years.
