HACU Honors Seven Leaders and Organizations for Advancing Hispanic Higher Education Success

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has announced seven honorees will be recognized for their contributions to improving opportunities for college students. The awards will be presented during HACU's 39th Annual Conference, taking place November 1-3, 2025, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado.

As the nation's leading voice for Hispanic-Serving Institutions, HACU has been instrumental in securing the support of federal, corporate and higher education communities for programs and initiatives advancing higher education. The Association's efforts range from the nationally recognized HACU National Internship Program providing college students real world professional experience, to its HACU Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo and Enlace Mid-level Leadership program which aim to prepare aspiring leaders to advance through the administrative ranks of higher education.

One honoree will be inducted into HACU's Hall of Champions, recognizing those who embody the mission of the Association through their exemplary efforts and contributions to higher education. Félix V. Matos Rodriguez, Ph.D., is the eighth chancellor of The City University of New York (CUNY), which serves nearly 240,000 degree-seeking students across 26 New York City campuses with an operating budget of $4.1 billion. Matos Rodríguez has focused his tenure on championing student equity, building career opportunities for graduates and creating innovative academic offerings to build on CUNY's unrivaled role as an engine of economic mobility. His appointment made him the first educator of color and the first Latino to lead the nation's largest urban university.

Honorees to be presented with HACU Awards of Excellence include Tito Guerrero, Ed.D., recipient of the Lifelong Leadership Award for lifelong service to higher education. Community College of Aurora will receive the Outstanding HACU-Member Institution Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission. GlobalEdu Consortium will be honored with the Exemplary International Partner Award in recognition of outstanding support of HACU's international mission.

Dominion Energy will receive the Outstanding Private Sector Partner Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission. New Mexico Higher Education Department, Cabinet Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez, will be presented with the Outstanding Public Sector Partner Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission. Virgilio Barrera will receive the Alicia Casanova Award in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission. A PDF of the HACU 2025 Awardees is available for download.

The recognition of these seven honorees underscores the critical importance of collaborative efforts across educational institutions, government agencies, and private sector organizations in advancing Hispanic higher education success. These partnerships demonstrate how strategic alliances can create meaningful pathways for student achievement and professional development. The diverse range of honorees—from university leaders to corporate partners and government officials—highlights the multifaceted approach required to address educational disparities and create sustainable opportunities for Hispanic students.

HACU's role as the leading advocate for Hispanic-Serving Institutions positions these awards as significant markers of progress in educational equity. The recognition of institutions like Community College of Aurora and leaders like Chancellor Matos Rodríguez showcases the tangible impact of dedicated efforts to support Hispanic students' academic and professional success. These honors serve not only to celebrate individual and institutional achievements but also to inspire continued commitment to educational access and opportunity across all sectors of society.