FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 05, 2009

HACU Media Contact:
Norma Jean Revilla-Garcia
Mobile (210) 954-3533

HACU and U.S. Army partner to host University Tours at UTSA

More than 600 high school students to participate in college awareness event

San Antonio, TX – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and the U.S. Army are partnering to provide college awareness opportunities for area high school students.  Through the HACU & U.S. Army University Tours program, high school students will learn about how to pursue college enrollment as well as the life-long benefits of a college degree.  The program is hosted at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Main Campus, October 5 – 9, 2009.

Through its Hispanic-Serving School Districts (HSSDs) affiliation, HACU has been working with K-12 school districts and institutions of higher education to address the pipeline issues of Hispanic education. 

“One very important concern has been the lack of college awareness among students and parents,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. “While campus visits have been instrumental in helping students learn first-hand about an institution admissions process, often these visits are among the first to be cut from K-12 budgets during tough economic times.”

“The U.S. Army has a long-standing commitment to providing opportunities for higher education and to developing future leaders,” said Lt. Col. Tom O. Matchin, 5th ROTC Brigade Recruiting Officer.  Through the ROTC program, we provide two-, three- and four-year scholarships, which pay full and fees, include a separate allowance for books and a monthly stipend of up to $5,000 a year. By partnering with organizations such as HACU, we can bring this message to predominantly Hispanic high schools and help increase the number of Hispanics pursuing a college degree.”

As part of the University Tours, students will learn about the admission process, financial aid policies, and overall benefits of higher education. Students also will learn about the leadership training and skills development opportunities available thought the Army’s ROTC program at UTSA. Army ROTC is one of the only college programs that teach leadership. This training is invaluable for any career that involves leading, managing and motivating people or fostering teamwork.

More than 600 students and 60 counselors from the following schools have been invited:

  • Medina Valley HS
  • D’Hanis HS
  • Jourdanton HS
  • Lytle HS
  • Poteet HS
  • Charlotte HS
  • Natalia HS
  • Holmes HS
  • Hondo HS
  • Pleasanton HS
  • John F. Kennedy HS
  • Brackenridge HS
  • Southwest HS
  • Devine HS
  • Seguin HS
  • McCollum HS
  • Lanier HS
  • Judson HS
  • Harlandale HS
  • John Jay HS
  • Memorial HS

About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of 18 institutions. Today, HACU represents approximately 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal. HACU is the only national association that represents existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). HACU is committed to assuring higher education access and success for Hispanic students. For more information, visit www.hacu.net.

About USACC
The United States Army Accessions Command (USAAC), headquartered at Fort Monroe, Va., oversees recruiting and training of both enlisted soldiers and officers for the U.S. Army.  USAAC is composed of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox, Ky., the U.S. Army Cadet Command at Fort Monroe, Va., and the U.S. Army Training Center at Fort Jackson, SC.

About UTSA
The University of Texas at San Antonio is one of the fastest growing higher education institutions in Texas and the second largest of nine academic universities and six health institutions in the UT System.  As a multicultural institution of access and excellence, UTSA aims to be a premier public research university providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA serves more than 29,100 students in 64 bachelor’s, 48 master’s and 21 doctoral degree programs in the colleges of Architecture, Business, Education and Human Development, Engineering, Honors, Liberal and Fine Arts, Public Policy, Sciences and Graduate School.  Founded in 1969, UTSA is an intellectual and creative resource center and a socioeconomic development catalyst for Texas and beyond.  More information online at www.utsa.edu


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The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California.

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