The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Celebrates New California Office

Sacramento, CA – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) celebrated the opening of a regional office in Sacramento, California last night with an opening reception at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel.  Dr. Alex Gonzalez, President of California State University, Sacramento, and Chair of HACU’s Governing Board; Dr. Milton Gordon, President of California State University, Fullerton, and member of HACU’s Governing Board; Dr. Tomas Arcniega, President Emeritus of California State University, Bakersfield, and member of HACU’s Governing Board; and other presidents from HACU’s membership in California were present to express their support and excitement for HACU’s new endeavor.   

A number of members from the California State Legislature and staff members were also in attendance to express support for HACU’s new office.  The California office will handle Hispanic higher education legislative and policy issues in the western region of the U.S.  The office, at 915 L Street in Sacramento, is near the California state capitol. 

Antonio Flores, President and CEO of HACU said, “HACU is very excited about the new opportunities the western regional office will afford the organization.  There are seventy-three Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in California alone, plus twelve more in Arizona, one in Oregon, and two in Washington State, all areas we hope to serve through this office.  In addition, HACU has a total of 45 Associate HSIs and 4 Partner institutions in these states and Nevada.  More than one-fourth of HACU’s membership is located in this region, so an office that can begin to address state policy issues made perfect sense.  HACU will now be able to serve its California and other western state constituents more effectively and efficiently.” 

Erica Romero is the new Executive Director of Western State legislative Affairs at the new office.  Ms. Romero is a California native and has a master’s degree in Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.  She has also worked extensively with the California state legislature.  Erica can be reached via email at eromero@hacu.net or (210) 576-3200 (temporary).

“I was inspired to attend the Kennedy School after having worked at the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans where I had become more acutely aware of the obstacles facing Latino children in education,” Romero said.  “I am now looking forward to my new position where I can promote policies that encourage students of color to access and graduate from institutions of higher learning.”

HACU was established in 1986 with a founding membership of eighteen institutions.  Because of HACU’s exemplary leadership on behalf of the nation’s youngest and fastest-growing population, the Association rapidly grew in numbers and national impact.  Today, HACU represents more than 430 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America and Spain.  Although HACU-member institutions in the U. S. represent less than 10% of all higher education institutions nationwide, together they are home to more than two-thirds of all Hispanic college students.  HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

HACU’s national headquarters is located in San Antonio, Texas, where it was founded.  In 1991, HACU opened a government relations office in Washington, DC.  For more information, please visit http://www.hacu.net/ or call 210-692-3805.

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