FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: "Norma Jean" Revilla-Garcia
Director of Communications and Marketing
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
Phone: (210) 576-3206
E-Mail: njgarcia@hacu.net
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
HACU kicks off its first nationwide tour to discuss the state of Hispanic higher education
More than 15 destinations slated for Hispanic higher education tour
San Antonio, TX - The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the only national organization representing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), will kick off the first HACU on the Road tour this summer. HACU President and CEO Antonio Flores will visit major metropolitan areas to discuss the state of Hispanic higher education. The first scheduled visits are Hartford, CT, on June 8 and Bogota, Colombia, on June 11.
HACU has launched a HACU on the Road Web site. Click here. Initial locations on the tour will include:
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Guadalajara, Mexico
- Monterrey, Mexico
- Houston, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Chicago, IL
- Denver, CO
- Miami, FL
- Fullerton, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- New York, NY
- San Diego, CA
- San José, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Atlanta, GA
- San Antonio, TX
HACU on the Road is an initiative designed to promote national and international dialogue about the state of Hispanic higher education among chancellors, presidents of colleges and universities, superintendents of Hispanic-Serving School Districts, corporate leaders, and other supporters of Hispanic higher education. HACU’s legislative priorities for the 111th Congress will also be discussed, including No Child Left Behind (ESEA); the Workforce Investment Act; Minority Health Disparities; comprehensive immigration reform, in particular the DREAM Act; and funding through the Higher Education Act, the Farm Bill, and other federal sources. These and other legislative priorities also have an international dimension that will strengthen HSIs and other HACU-member institutions, as well as international members.
The idea for the tour originated when Flores visited the University of the Sacred Heart in San Juan, Puerto Rico, earlier this year. There he met with leaders of Puerto Rico colleges and universities to discuss ideas for improving Hispanic higher education, including legislation and increased funding needed for HSIs.
Flores said the goal of the tour is to increase national awareness of the issues and needs of Hispanic higher education that have an impact on the nation’s future.
“It is imperative that we work together to build a road map for Hispanic higher education success,” said Flores. “Hispanics will soon make up half of those entering the American workforce and our nation needs the full development of their talents to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”
At each location, Flores will serve as the keynote speaker. Flores believes increasing the understanding of Hispanic higher education at the local level will help to strengthen support for more equitable funding to increase Hispanic educational access and success across the nation and internationally.
“HACU on the Road offers us the opportunity to discuss Hispanic higher education with a variety of academic and workforce partners in different regions of the U.S. and the Latin American world, to learn about the concerns and needs from different locations, and to gain a more accurate and complete understanding of the state of Hispanic higher education so that we can map out a plan for the future,” said Flores.
About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) was established in 1986 with a founding membership of 18 institutions. Today, HACU represents approximately 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal. HACU is the only national association that represents existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). HACU is committed to assuring higher education access and success for Hispanic students. For more information, visit www.hacu.net.