The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has officially announced that 75 outstanding students attending HACU-member institutions across the country have been selected to participate in the prestigious Voces Nuevas Program. This rigorous, eight-month initiative is specifically designed to provide participants with exceptional opportunities to develop high-level leadership and advocacy skills. As part of their tenure in the program, these selected scholars will serve as official HACU ambassadors, actively promoting the Association’s diverse array of educational programs, scholarships, and professional development initiatives within their respective campus communities and beyond.
The announcement marks another major milestone in HACU’s ongoing mission to champion Hispanic higher education success and empower the next generation of diverse leaders. The Voces Nuevas Program functions as a comprehensive platform aimed at equipping emerging scholars with the practical tools, knowledge, and networks necessary to effect meaningful change. Through structured training components, participants receive intensive instruction in leadership, civic advocacy, and career development. Furthermore, the curriculum challenges these students to think critically and creatively, tasking them with developing innovative and socially conscious solutions to pressing challenges operating at the local, state, and national levels.
By focusing on real-world problem-solving and civic engagement, the program ensures that participants do not merely learn about leadership in an abstract academic setting, but actively practice it. The ambassadors are encouraged to examine policy frameworks, community needs, and institutional structures, allowing them to formulate strategies that can genuinely improve socio-economic and educational conditions in Hispanic-serving environments and the broader community. The selection process is highly competitive, drawing high-achieving applicants from a wide array of colleges and universities that hold membership in the association. For a comprehensive look at the bright minds chosen for this year’s cohort, interested parties can review the official roster by checking the list of students selected for the Voces Nuevas program.
Participation in the Voces Nuevas Program extends far beyond virtual training and campus ambassador duties, offering delegates exclusive access to national platforms where they can interact with prominent leaders, policymakers, and corporate partners. A cornerstone of the program experience involves major national event participation. Selected participants of the Voces Nuevas Program will be granted the unique opportunity to attend HACU’s milestone 40th Annual Conference. This landmark gathering is scheduled to take place from October 31 through November 2, 2026, hosted at the expansive Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center located in picturesque Chula Vista, California.
During this premier annual conference, the Voces Nuevas scholars will immerse themselves in professional development panels, networking sessions, and institutional showcases. A key highlight of their conference itinerary will be their participation in the ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute, which serves as a specialized, dynamic component of the Student Track integrated directly into the conference programming. The Institute is renowned for bringing together hundreds of college students from across the nation to engage with corporate executives, government officials, and academic leaders, fostering mentorship and career pathway exploration.
In addition to the upcoming anniversary conference in California, the professional journey for select members of this cohort will also include legislative and public policy exposure at the highest levels of government. Specifically, some selected students will have the opportunity to attend HACU’s 32nd National Capitol Forum. This influential event brings together higher education leaders, advocates, and student representatives in Washington, D.C., to discuss federal policy issues impacting Hispanic-Serving Institutions and higher education equity, offering the Voces Nuevas ambassadors a front-row seat to the nation’s legislative processes and advocacy work.
