September 13, 2023

HACU holds Capitol Hill and Cabinet Conversations event in Washington, D.C.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities held a “Capitol Hill and Cabinet Conversations,” event in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2023, bringing together chancellors and presidents of Hispanic-Serving Institutions and leaders of the Department of Commerce, including United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo.

HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores, Lena T. Rodriguez, HACU senior vice president for policy and government relations, and Xiomara Santos, HACU director of government relations convened the gathering starting with a roundtable discussion. Secretary Raimondo gave the opening remarks, followed by an address from Jon P. Gant, director of the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

The afternoon session featured a Department of Commerce Interactive Panel Discussion with Jessica G. Cavazos, deputy under secretary of commerce for minority business development and Robert Santos, director of the U.S. Census Bureau and director Gant. The day’s itinerary concluded with a White House Meeting with the Domestic Policy Council.

HSI leaders in attendance included:

  • City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado
  • Hudson Community College President Christopher M. Reber
  • Marymount University President Irma Becerra
  • Ottawa University President Dennis J. Tyner
  • University of Illinois Chicago Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda
  • University of Puerto Rico- Río Piedras Campus Rectora Angélica Varela Llavona
  • Weber State University President Brad L. Mortensen

The “Capitol Hill and Cabinet Conversations” is a HACU event of National Hispanic-Serving Institution Week, being observed Sept. 11-17, 2023.



  

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.

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