The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has selected 26 fellows for its seventh Leadership Academy cohort, continuing its mission to develop leaders for higher education institutions with particular focus on Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Emerging HSIs. This initiative matters because it directly addresses the persistent underrepresentation of Hispanic leaders in higher education administration, creating a pipeline for diverse leadership that better reflects the student populations these institutions serve. The year-long fellowship program provides comprehensive development activities designed to prepare participants for senior administrative roles across various higher education sectors, which is crucial as Hispanic student enrollment continues to grow nationally while leadership diversity lags behind.
Fellows will engage in a structured program featuring webinars and three seminars, beginning in November 2025 during HACU's 39th Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado. Subsequent seminars will take place in Washington, D.C., in April 2026 at the National Capitol Forum, and at an international location to be determined. The program's faculty comprises current and former presidents, chancellors, and senior administrators with over 100 years of combined experience across private and public universities, community colleges, and faith-based institutions. This extensive expertise ensures fellows receive practical, real-world guidance that can be immediately applied to their current roles and future leadership positions.
A critical component of the Leadership Academy involves mentorship relationships with university presidents or senior-level administrators, coupled with the development of impact projects at each fellow's home institution. This dual approach creates immediate value for participating institutions while building long-term leadership capacity. The program's effectiveness is demonstrated by its alumni achievements, including nine former fellows who have attained presidential positions at institutions such as California State University, Fresno, Macalester College, and Oregon Coast Community College. Additional information about the program's structure and impact can be found at https://www.hacu.net.
The 2025-26 cohort includes participants from diverse institutions including University of Northern Colorado, Rutgers University-Newark, University of California campuses, and multiple community colleges. This geographic and institutional diversity strengthens the program's impact by creating networks that span different types of higher education institutions. Fellowship support has been provided by https://www.capitalone.com and https://www.mellon.org, enabling selected recipients to participate in the development program without financial barriers. The Leadership Academy addresses the critical need for diverse leadership representation in higher education administration, particularly within institutions serving Hispanic student populations, which is essential for creating more equitable and responsive educational environments that better serve all students.
