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. An accomplished and award-winning historian who previously worked at three CUNY campuses, 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 significance of these awards extends beyond individual recognition, highlighting the critical partnerships necessary to advance educational equity for Hispanic students. HACU's role as the leading advocate for Hispanic-Serving Institutions makes these awards particularly meaningful, as they spotlight successful models of collaboration between educational institutions, government agencies, and private sector organizations. The recognition of Chancellor Matos Rodríguez carries additional weight given his historic appointment as the first Latino leader of CUNY, demonstrating progress in diversifying leadership at major educational institutions while underscoring the importance of representation in higher education administration.
These awards matter because they validate and encourage the ongoing work to address systemic barriers in higher education. By honoring diverse contributors from different sectors, HACU reinforces the message that advancing Hispanic educational success requires multifaceted approaches and sustained commitment from various stakeholders. The timing of these awards during HACU's annual conference, which focuses on forging transformational leaders to uplift democracy and prosperity, connects individual achievements to broader societal goals. The implications include potential increased visibility for effective programs, strengthened partnerships across sectors, and inspiration for future leaders committed to educational equity. As Hispanic students continue to represent a growing demographic in higher education, initiatives like those recognized by HACU become increasingly vital for ensuring equitable access, support, and outcomes in postsecondary education.
