FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 01, 2012

HACU Media Contact/Norma Jean Revilla-Garcia
Phone: (210) 576-3206

Department of Homeland Security /DHS Press Office
Phone: (202) 282-8010

HACU President Appointed to Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council

San Antonio, TX – U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano has appointed Antonio R. Flores, President and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC). The new council, comprised of prominent university presidents and academic leaders, is charged with advising the Secretary and senior leadership at the Department on several key issues.

“Antonio Flores’s extensive experience and expertise will make him a valuable asset to the Council,” said Secretary Napolitano. “I look forward to working with him on these critical issues.”

The new council underscores the Department’s commitment to working with the academic community. In this noteworthy role, Flores will provide advice and recommendations on issues related to student and recent graduate recruitment; international students; academic research; campus and community resiliency, security and preparedness; and faculty exchanges.

Flores, who joined HACU on Feb. 26, 1996, has worked tirelessly to advance Hispanic higher education success nationally and strengthen international higher education collaborations. Over the past fifteen years, HACU has seen significant growth including nearly tripling its membership, its budget, and programs. Federal funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) has increased greatly resulting in more than $2 billion in federal funding allocated to HSIs during Flores’ tenure. The association represents more than 400 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal. HACU, with its national headquarters located in San Antonio, Texas, is the only national association representing existing and emerging HSIs.

Flores will attend the group’s inaugural meeting on March 20 in Washington, D.C.