November 11, 2021

HACU president and CEO travels to nation’s capital to advocate for HSIs

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ President and CEO Antonio R. Flores traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet in person and virtually with legislators, federal administrators and other advocates of Hispanic higher education success from Nov. 1-4, 2021. The trip takes place as the Build Back Better Act approaches passage in the U.S. House of Representatives and contains funding provisions that will substantially boost support for Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

Flores met with: Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for Academic Programs, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Ethan Rosenzweig; USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Special Initiatives Coordinator Maria Goldberg; and Undersecretary of Education James Kvaal. He also participated in an MOU signing with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Executive Director of Academic Engagement Traci Silas, and a Fireside Chat with Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves. Flores met in person with Sen. Ben Ray Luján, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, Rep. Adriano Espaillat, and took part in a conference call with Sen. Patty Murray.

“HACU is focused on ensuring that HSIs receive the funding necessary to restore infrastructure as well as provide support for Hispanic students who have borne the brunt of decades long inequities,” said Flores. “These visits with key members of Congress and Biden Administration officials are crucial to keeping this support at the forefront of efforts in our nation’s capital.”