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HACU NEWS
HACU announces virtual Annual Conference on Hispanic higher education, Oct. 26-28
Pre- and post-conference events to be held on alternate dates
2020
HACU has announced its 34th Annual Conference Championing Hispanic Higher Education: "Fostering Excellence and Social Justice," will be held virtually on Oct. 26-28, 2020.
HACU VIRTUAL
Attendees can expect a regular lineup of events, workshops, including a virtual exhibitor experience to be part of the agenda.
Pre- and Post-conference events will be offered on alternate dates so as not to overlap on the new conference dates.
HACU’s Annual Conference provides a unique forum for the sharing of information and ideas for the best and most promising practices in the education of Hispanics.
Advertising, Exhibitor, and Sponsorship opportunities are available.
For registration and agenda of HACU's premier conference on Hispanic higher education and events, visit hacu.net
HACU receives grant from The Sallie Mae Fund
HACU was among the grant recipients announced by The Sallie Mae Fund on June 25, 2020. The grant of $125,000 will support initiatives that advance social justice, diversity, inclusion and equality.
In a press release, the organization stated that too often minority and underserved students face significant obstacles that not only impede attendance, but also stifle completion of their postsecondary education program.
"HACU is grateful to The Sallie Mae Fund for their support of our programs and initiatives that help students achieve academic success and prepare them for the future,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores.
The Sallie Mae Fund, the charitable arm of Sallie Mae, achieves its mission to expand pathways for the successful development of America’s youth by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education, as well as, supporting initiatives on the communities it serves.
Thousands of students have benefited from HACU with internships, scholarships, college retention and advancement programs, precollegiate support, and career development opportunities and programs.
HACUNEWS Meet Richard Montez, HACU finalist seeking your vote for Coors Light Líder of the Year
HACU director of member services, Richard Montez, has always believed that true leadership only happens when love and empathy are paired with real world experiences. He was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He grew up on the west side, in one of the poorest areas of the city. While his family struggled economically and gained a keen understanding of the hardships facing many in his community. Today, he spends his time and energy focusing on solutions to the many challenges plaguing underserved and underrepresented groups.
Since 2017, he has served as director of member services at HACU. His work beyond HACU extends to community service in the local area. For the past seven years he has served as board chair at Inner City Development, a San Antonio nonprofit that serves the most economically marginalized neighborhood in the same area where he grew up. Once a year, he and other volunteers participate in Thanksgiving 365 by fasting until the organization raises its $40,000 goal which is used to keep the food pantry stocked all year long.
His dedication to the mission of HACU and Inner City Development have been greatly influenced by his childhood. As a first-generation high school and college graduate, he has focused heavily on education and its impacts on breaking cycles that can lead to poverty and challenges in educational attainment for underserved communities. He earned his degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.
Through strategic planning, change management, teamwork, sustainability and civic engagement, he has enriched his leadership skills and professional development so that he could be a greater asset to his community and the issues he champions.
Your votes for Richard Montez to be named the Coors Light Líder of the Year can help HACU receive a $25,000 grant to support its community work. To vote visit https://www.coorslightlideres.com. Votes can be cast up to 10 times daily through August 31, 2020.
HACUNEWS
HACU statement on reversal of ICE guidance on international students
On July 14, 2020, the White House rescinded the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) guidance that prohibits international students from returning to or remaining in the United States if the institutions they attend adopt online-only instruction models amid the pandemic.
HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores released the following statement in response to the decision:
“HACU applauds the decision to rescind ICE’s guidance that would have forced international students to leave the country, or transfer to an institution offering in-person classes, if their campus opted to offer its courses online as a result of the pandemic."
“We are grateful to the colleges and universities that worked diligently on behalf of the affected students across the country. This decision, that allows international students to continue their higher education pursuits in the U.S., is a step in the right direction as it places the health and safety of students and all campus personnel first.
“Today’s 539 HSIs across the nation play a key role in educating a significant number of international students. According to the most recent enrollment data, HSIs enroll 16 percent (173,535) of all international students in higher education.”
HACU statement of solidarity and support for the Black community
On June 4, 2020, HACU released the following statement regarding its support for the Black community in light of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, among others:
“On behalf of HACU, I wish to express our unwavering support for the Black community during this time of national mourning in the face of racial injustice and systematic violence,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio Flores.
“HACU is in solidarity with our brethren as we strive to achieve justice, equality and peace during this difficult time in our history. Now is the time to stand in unity with other communities of color in order to face this great challenge. We frequently advocate on behalf of underrepresented students, along with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and today is no different as we stand with the Black community against racial injustice - Black Lives Matter.”
HACU and HETS collaborate on Online Journal
HACU and Hispanic Educational Technology Services will once again collaborate on a special edition of the HETS Online Journal (Volume XI, Fall Issue 2020).
Faculty/staff of HACU-member institutions and HACU affiliates are invited to submit articles for consideration or also apply to serve as a peer reviewer. Articles on best practices (either in English or Spanish) will be considered for publication. Young researchers, including junior faculty and graduate students, can also send their manuscripts for consideration in the “Student articles” section of this journal.
Additional information on the Call for Articles and requirements for submission is available on the HETS website. Articles for this special issue will be accepted through Sept. 25, 2020.
To be considered to serve as a reviewer, please submit a letter of recommendation from your dean or vice president validating your expertise, along with a copy of your curriculum vitae to info@hets.org by Aug. 31, 2020.
For questions about the journal and this special edition, please contact HETS via email at info@hets.org.
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