March 30, 2004

For immediate release

Secretary of Education Rod Paige renews commitment
To Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

            WASHINGTON, D.C.  -- U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige Tuesday renewed the commitment of the U.S. Department of Education to expanding educational opportunities for Hispanic students by signing a formal partnership agreement with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
           “We must open the door to postsecondary education for more Hispanic students and take steps to ensure that they have the skills, confidence and resources to complete their studies,” Secretary Paige said.
            “Today, I am pleased to sign an agreement that will strengthen our partnership with HACU to fulfill our shared goal of increasing educational attainment for Hispanic youngsters and preparing them for the demands of the 21st century,” he said.
            A formal signing ceremony took place following remarks by Secretary Paige at a special session at HACU’s 2004 Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education under way through Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
            “This historic partnership promises to open new doors to academic success for our country's youngest and largest ethnic population,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores.
             “The presence of U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige at today's signing of this new Memorandum of Understanding is a welcome sign of his leadership and commitment to all of our diverse communities of learning,” Flores said. “We applaud Secretary Paige for his support of our students.” 
            The formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is designed to coordinate activities to increase employment and educational opportunities at the U.S. Department of Education for students and educators of HACU member institutions, and to target resources to strengthen the educational and research capacity of HACU member institutions. 

    Initiatives encouraged through the agreement include:

• 
 Department internships for Hispanic college students through the HACU National Internship Program;
• 
 Opportunities for representatives of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to serve on Department advisory boards and commissions;
• 
 Employment opportunities for students, graduates and faculty at HSIs;
• 
 Agreements with HSIs to promote research in areas of mutual interest;
• 
 Special programs, forums and workshops for increasing student achievement for Hispanic postsecondary students; and,
• 
 Opportunities for Department employees to work temporarily at HSIs and for faculty members of HSIs to serve on a temporary basis at the Education Department.

                As part of the agreement, the Department and HACU will establish a joint leadership group to coordinate partnership activities.  
            “Through the broad, bold reforms of No Child Left Behind, we are closing the achievement gap for low-income and minority students so that all of America’s children will be prepared to go on to and succeed in postsecondary education,” Secretary Paige said.  “The agreement we sign today provides additional support and commitment to improving the academic and professional achievement of Hispanics in postsecondary education.” 
            HACU is a national, non-profit organization representing 360 colleges and universities that collectively serve more than two-thirds of all Hispanic higher education students.
            The No Child Left Behind Act is the bipartisan landmark education reform law designed to close the achievement gap, offering more flexibility, giving parents more options and teaching students based on what works.

For more information about HACU, visit www.hacu.net. Or contact HACU Media Relations at (619) 997-1637.
U.S. Department of Education Contact: Jane Glickman (202) 401-1576

 

 

 



  

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.

Subscribe to HACU Newsletter and Updates

SIGN UP