March 5, 2026

HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores champions student success in higher education for 30 years

HACU 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. More>>

HACU Call for Presentations for 40th Annual Conference

HACU is accepting presentation proposals for its 40th Annual Conference through March 6, 2026. Speaker proposals under the conference theme, “40 Years of Championing Higher Education Success: One Graduate at a Time," can be submitted in any of the seven conference tracks. More>>

Appointment of David A. Ortiz as chief operating officer

David A. Ortiz, Ph.D. has been appointed chief operating officer, effective February 10, 2026. Ortiz previously served HACU as COO and senior vice president for the Association. More>>

HACU holding 31st Annual National Capitol Forum April 21-22, 2026

HACU will host its 31st Annual National Capitol Forum on Higher Education on April 21-22, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The two-day event includes sessions, policy briefings and as well as scheduled meetings with representatives on Capitol Hill. In celebration of HACU's 40th Anniversary, registration rates* are discounted by $40, from March 1-15, 2026 by using Promo Code: HACU40 More>>

HACU accepting applications for Capital One Launchpad: Legacy & Leadership Program for college students

HACU is accepting applications from college students for the Capital One Launchpad: Legacy & Leadership Program. Fifty students from HACU-member institutions will be selected to participate in a professional, and technical development event taking place on July 13-17, 2026, at the Capital One Headquarters in McLean, Virginia. Deadline for applications is March 16, 2026. More>>

HACU accepting applications for 2026-27 Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo

HACU is accepting applications for the eighth cohort of its Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. The program prepares senior higher education administrators at colleges and universities nationwide for top leadership roles. Deadline for applications is April 17, 2026. More>>

HACU accepting applications for the 2026 Enlace Mid-Level Leadership Program

HACU is accepting applications for the Enlace Mid-Level Leadership Program. Academic leaders or non-academic support personnel serving in higher education institutions are encouraged to apply. Deadline for applications is April 17, 2026. More>>

HACU announces Ascend PreK–12 Leadership Program’s inaugural cohort

HACU has announced the Ascend PreK–12 Leadership Program’s inaugural cohort. Forty-four educators were selected for the cohort based on demonstrated leadership excellence, professional impact, and commitment to advancing equitable, high-quality education for students and communities nationwide. More>>

HACU holding 15th International Conference May 4-6, 2026

HACU's 15th International Conference “Bridging Nations to Advance Higher Education,” will take place on May 4-6, 2026, at the Kimpton Santo Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. Twenty-five concurrent workshops will be offered under the conference theme. More>>

International Plenary Session I to focus on international and cross-institutional collaboration

HACU has announced the speakers for International Plenary Session I at HACU’s 15th International Conference. More>>

2026 USDA E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program applications open

Applications are open for the USDA E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program for faculty, staff or administrators employed at Hispanic-Serving Institutions or Hispanic-Serving School Districts. Application deadline is March 23, 2026. More>>

Deadline extended for HACU National Internship Program summer 2026 session

HACU is accepting applications from college students and recent graduates for the summer 2026 sessions of the HACU National Internship Program. The application deadline has been extended to March 6, 2026. More>>

HACU-member Webinars

HACU will host the following webinars for its members:

“Equitizing Career Mobility – A Case Study in Building Student Agency and Opportunity,” on March 19, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CT. More>>

“HACU Professional Leadership Programs – Preparing the Next Generation of Academic Leaders,” on April 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CT. More>>

HACU Scholarships

Students at HACU-member intuitions can apply for the following scholarships in varying amounts:

American Red Cross Emerging Leaders Council Scholarships, each in the amount of $3,000. Deadline to apply is March 16, 2026. More>>

Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarships, each in the amount of $5,000. Deadline to apply is May 15, 2026. More>>

Corteva Agriscience Scholarships, each in the amount of $3,575. Deadline to apply is May 15, 2026. More>>

Denny’s Hungry for Education Scholarships, each in the amount of $2,000. Deadline to apply is May 15, 2026. More>>

HACU Advocacy

Spotlight Forum discusses importance of MSIs and funding supporting all students

Representatives for HACU were among those participating in a livestreamed spotlight forum highlighting the importance of Minority-Serving Institutions on Feb. 26, 2026. More>>

For the latest news on Defending the HSI Program, click here. 

Donate to HACU and support our mission

Show your support for HACU by making a donation. Your donation can have a lasting impact on those who benefit from HACU programs. Your donation will help increase support for member colleges and universities, expand opportunities for student success and improve the quality of higher education. #Give2HACU. More>>

KickStarter 2.0: NSF Improving Undergraduate STEM Education Program. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.