Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

2010 Member Services and Initiatives

Advocacy - Institutional Capacity Building - Faculty and Staff Development - Student Services - Strategic Alliances

Government Relations

The Government Relations Office serves as HACU’s chief advocacy arm in Washington, D.C., and represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Hispanic students before the U.S. Congress.

Advocacy – HACU efforts have been instrumental in convincing Congress to appropriate funds for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and other institutions which support Hispanic student success in higher education. Title V funding has increased from $12 million in 1995 to $93.2 million in 2008. Other grants programs in the United States Departments of Agriculture, Defense, and Housing and Urban Development bring the cumulative federal commitment to HSIs to over $1.2 billion as a result of HACU’s advocacy efforts.

Capitol Forum – This yearly conference provides an important opportunity to learn about legislative issues affecting Hispanic higher education and direct access to congressional leaders to promote the important role of HSIs in achieving Hispanic student success in higher education.

Legislative Agenda – HACU’s Legislative Agenda is presented during the Capitol Forum. The Agenda addresses Hispanic higher education needs across the K-20 pipeline and beyond. It also identifies appropriations requests for programmatic funding for HSIs during the upcoming federal fiscal year and identifies long-range education, labor, research and outreach priorities for HSIs through amendment recommendations for the reauthorization of major legislation, including the Higher Education Act, the Farm Bill, the National Science Foundation, the Energy Act, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, immigration reform and other legislation of major interest to HSIs and the nation’s Hispanic community.

Member Advisories and Action Alerts – Electronic notifications provide members with the latest legislative developments, encourage legislative interaction with congressional members on specific legislative matters and report on funding opportunities for HSIs. Individual institutional requests for guidance, specific legislative and statistical information and support are also facilitated by HACU.

Memoranda of Understanding and Partnership Agreements – More than 30 agreements have been signed with federal agencies, corporate partners and international organizations.

Regional Offices – HACU established a regional office to serve Western States in Sacramento, California, in 2005. HACU’s regional presence enables the association to take an active role in state and local efforts to ensure Hispanic student success and enhance collaboration for addressing national and local legislative matters.

Information Technology Initiatives

The Office of Information Technology Initiatives promotes, educates, and facilitates the use of information technology for teaching, learning, research and administration, through cutting-edge partnerships and initiatives. This office also provides technological assistance to HACU member institutions to enhance their information technology capacity.

Capacity-Building Initiatives

This department administers projects funded by federal agencies, corporations, and foundations in conjunction with HACU-member institutions. These programs have included faculty development and research opportunities; pre-collegiate math, science, engineering and technology initiatives; and college preparation and financial aid awareness for middle school students and parents

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) –  HACU Professions Capacity-Building Program – A training program supported by the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities and administered by the Office of Minority Health and HACU through a cooperative agreement. The program is intended to strengthen the capacity of HSIs to secure and retain funding for biomedical and health services research and other sponsored programs, and to provide institutions with more information about post-award management and institutional compliance. Participation by the Office of Sponsored Programs, research director or key staff is intended to enhance the campus infrastructure for the receipt, distribution, and effective management of external funds provided by the federal government.

Conferences and Events

HACU hosts three major conferences which provide vital platforms for advocacy, information, collaboration, networking, and recognition. These include HACU’s Capitol Forum (Washington, D.C.), the Annual Conference, and a bi-annual International Conference.

Student Services

Paid Internships – The HACU National Internship Program (HNIP) recruits college students for paid summer- or semester-long internships and cooperative assignments at federal agencies and private corporations in Washington, D.C., and throughout the country. These ten- or fifteen-week assignments give college students hands-on experience in a variety of careers in the federal and corporate sectors. HNIP is HACU’s largest student program and places more than 600 students annually. Internships are available during the spring, summer and fall academic sessions and offer students the opportunity to earn college credit for their internship.

Scholarships – The HACU Scholarship Program awards academic scholarships to students attending HACU member institutions to help defray college expenses. Scholarship applications are announced in January and students submit an online application for awards in the fall semester.

Southwest Airlines “Lánzate-Dándole Alas a Tu Éxito/Giving Flight to Your Success” Travel Award Program – Through a competitive scholarship selection process, Southwest Airlines provides round trip tickets to students with socio-economic need who travel away from home to pursue a higher education.

HACU Annual Conference Student Track Program & Scholarships – The HACU Annual Conference Student Track provides an information-sharing forum for students and professionals to discuss topics addressing career and professional development, educational, leadership and cultural opportunities. Scholarship opportunities are offered to college students to participate in HACU’s Conference Student Track held during the fall semester. Additionally, students can participate in Student Track as a “Student Ambassador,” which encourages colleges and universities to sponsor students to attend the conference.

International Programs

HACU’s Office of Programs, Services and International Affairs promotes and facilitates international initiatives involving HACU-member institutions. As a result of its efforts, international content has increased at HACU’s Annual Conference. HACU’s Commission on International Education was established 3 years ago and since then agreements beneficial to HACU-member institutions and their students and faculty have been signed between HACU and the Organization of American States, the Embassy of Spain, and the Inter-American Organization of Higher Education. A discussion board and international opportunities page is available at HACU’s Web site to encourage international dialogue and promote international programs.

Publications

HACU-member institutions receive several publications on a regular basis including an electronic newsletter, The Voice of Hispanic Higher Education magazine, the HACU Membership Directory, and the Annual Report. Individuals that attend HACU-member institutions can also subscribe to The Voice magazine at a discounted member rate. All HACU-member institutions are listed in HACU’s Annual Report and conference programs. Members are also offered the opportunity to be “Featured Institutions” on HACU’s Web site homepage.

Advertising

Advertising opportunities are available at discounted rates for HACU-member institutions in The Voice magazine, online job postings, and HACU conference programs. Member addresses can be purchased at a discounted member rate using the HACU Merchandise Order Form on HACU’s Web site.