The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has announced seven honorees who will be recognized for their contributions to improving opportunities for college students. The awards will be presented during HACU’s 39th Annual Conference, “Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Forging Transformational Leaders to Uplift Democracy and Prosperity,” 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 support from federal, corporate, and higher education communities for programs advancing higher education. The Association’s efforts include the nationally recognized HACU National Internship Program, which provides college students real-world professional experience, and its HACU Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo and Enlace Mid-level Leadership program, which prepare aspiring leaders to advance through administrative ranks.
One honoree, Félix V. Matos Rodriguez, Ph.D., chancellor of The City University of New York (CUNY), will be inducted into HACU’s Hall of Champions. CUNY 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 on championing student equity, building career opportunities for graduates, and creating innovative academic offerings. His appointment made him the first educator of color and the first Latino to lead the nation’s largest urban university.
Additional honorees will receive HACU Awards of Excellence. Tito Guerrero, Ed.D., will receive the Lifelong Leadership Award for lifelong service to higher education. The Community College of Aurora will receive the Outstanding HACU-Member Institution Award for excellence in supporting HACU’s mission. The GlobalEdu Consortium will receive the Exemplary International Partner Award for outstanding support of HACU’s international mission. Dominion Energy will receive the Outstanding Private Sector Partner Award. The New Mexico Higher Education Department, represented by Cabinet Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez, will receive the Outstanding Public Sector Partner Award. Virgilio Barrera will receive the Alicia Casanova Award.
These recognitions underscore the importance of collaborative efforts to advance Hispanic higher education success and develop transformational leaders. The conference will bring together stakeholders to discuss strategies for uplifting democracy and prosperity through education.
