January 19, 2017
HACU president and Washington, DC staff prepare for the 115th Congress
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ (HACU) President and CEO Antonio R. Flores was in Washington, D.C., during the week of Jan. 9, 2017, to meet with several members of Congress and new federal agency leadership and to welcome spring interns. Flores and HACU’s Government Relations staff also had an opportunity to attend listening sessions for Hispanic organizations and higher education with the Trump transition team. 
HACU’s president had the opportunity to discuss HSIs and the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy Act (BRIDGE) Act (S. 128 and HR 496), which aims to extend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Flores met with Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), and the Senate Judiciary Committee staff for Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC) as well as staff of Homeland Security including the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Flores also met with Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) to express thanks for his work for HSIs in House Appropriations bills and to discuss upcoming legislation.
Flores was able to attend other events like the Swearing In Ceremony and Welcome Reception in honor of the Hispanic members of the 115th Congress, the Welcome Reception for the U.S. Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, and an appreciation hosted by Florida International University (FIU) and FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg for Obama Administration appointees who served during the term of the 44th U.S. president.
Flores also welcomed approximately 75 colleges students from universities nationwide selected for internships at federal agencies. The spring internships are offered under the HACU National Internship Program through partnerships with federal agencies. Flores also met with Jacqueline Padron, USDA/Hispanic Serving-Institutions program director, a key internship program partner.
HACU is currently working on its Legislative Agenda to be released prior to the Annual National Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education in Washington D.C., taking place at the end of April. The Association recently launched the HACU Advocacy Center, an online platform to expand opportunities for engagement and is hosting several informational webinars this year.
HACU’s mission is to champion Hispanic success in higher education. By improving access to quality higher education, more young people can achieve their dreams and contribute to a better world.
