David A. Ortiz, HACU Executive Vice President for Programs and Operations, emphasized the profound impact of this year’s selected recipients during the announcement from the association’s headquarters in San Antonio.
"The 2026 HACU Awards of Excellence recipients exemplify the commitment, leadership, and collaborative spirit our award recipients bring to advancing student success in higher education," said Ortiz.
The announcement carries even greater significance as the organization prepares to celebrate a monumental milestone. The nine distinguished honorees will be formally recognized and celebrated during HACU’s 40th Annual Conference, themed "40 Years of Championing Higher Education Success: One Graduate at a Time." The premier national higher education event is scheduled to take place from October 31 through November 2, 2026, at the expansive Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, California.
Reflecting on the broader context of the milestone anniversary and the diverse group of leaders being honored, Ortiz highlighted a particularly poignant moment for the association this year, drawing special attention to the retirement of a foundational figure in modern Hispanic higher education advocacy.
"These awards express our gratitude for the extraordinary contributions of this year’s honorees. This recognition is especially meaningful as we honor Dr. Flores upon his retirement after 30 years of transformative leadership. His vision and unwavering commitment to Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the students they serve have shaped HACU’s growth, strengthened its national and international voice, and leave an enduring legacy for generations to come," added Ortiz.
Honoring Three Decades of Transformative Leadership
At the pinnacle of this year’s recognitions is Antonio R. Flores, Ph.D., president and CEO of HACU. Dr. Flores has been named an inductee to the prestigious Hall of Champions. This high honor is bestowed in recognition of his lifelong embodiment of the association’s mission—"To Champion Hispanic Success in Higher Education"—as well as his extraordinary leadership, distinguished service, and deeply enduring contributions to HACU and the broader landscape of higher education.
Dr. Flores’s impending retirement marks the conclusion of three decades at the helm of the organization, a tenure during which HACU evolved from a fledgling coalition into a formidable national and international voice representing hundreds of institutions committed to educational equity and student excellence. Under his guidance, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) gained unprecedented visibility, legislative support, and institutional capacity, transforming the academic trajectories of countless students from diverse backgrounds.
Celebrating Excellence Across Policy, Academia, and Industry
Alongside Dr. Flores, eight other exceptional leaders, academic institutions, corporate partners, public sector agencies, and advocates will be celebrated during the upcoming Chula Vista conference. Each honoree represents a vital pillar in the collaborative ecosystem required to sustain and expand opportunities for students attending HACU-member institutions.
In the realm of legislative and public policy advocacy, two prominent California lawmakers have been named recipients of the Exemplary Policy/Advocacy Leadership Award. Congressman Juan Vargas, representing California’s 52nd Congressional District, was selected in recognition of his steadfast leadership and unwavering support of HACU’s key legislative and policy priorities in Washington, D.C. Similarly, State Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes, representing California’s 29th State Senate District, earned the Exemplary Policy/Advocacy Leadership Award for her dedicated advocacy and leadership in championing policy issues crucial to the advancement of Hispanic higher education at the state level.
Academic and institutional excellence is also a central focus of the 2026 honors. Marymount University has been named the recipient of the Outstanding HACU-Member Institution Award, acknowledging the university’s continuous dedication and institutional excellence in supporting HACU’s mission on its campus and within the broader academic community. On the international front, the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha has been honored with the Exemplary International Partner Award, recognizing the institution’s outstanding dedication to supporting HACU’s global mission and fostering cross-border educational collaborations that enrich students and faculty alike.
Private sector innovation and philanthropic generosity form another critical component of the association’s success, which is reflected in this year’s corporate and foundation honorees. The J.M. Smucker Co. has been selected to receive the Outstanding Private Sector Partner Award in recognition of its exemplary support of HACU’s mission and its dedication to fostering career pathways for students. Meanwhile, The Coca-Cola Foundation has been named the recipient of the Extraordinary Philanthropic Partner Award, honoring its exceptional financial and programmatic support that has historically enabled numerous student scholarships and leadership development initiatives.
Public sector collaboration is equally vital to creating robust professional pipelines for college graduates. The U.S. Forest Service has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Public Sector Partner Award in recognition of its longstanding excellence in supporting HACU’s mission, providing meaningful federal career opportunities, internships, and research collaborations for students attending HACU-member institutions.
Rounding out the distinguished list of 2026 honorees is Elizabeth Pastrano, who has been named the recipient of the Alicia Casanova Award. This award recognizes her exceptional dedication, excellence, and ongoing support of HACU’s mission, celebrating individuals whose personal and professional efforts leave a lasting mark on the community.
Four Decades of Championing Hispanic Higher Education
The presentation of the 2026 HACU Awards of Excellence during the 40th anniversary year serves as a powerful reminder of the association’s enduring impact. Founded in 1986, HACU has spent four decades advancing educational opportunities for Hispanic-Serving Institutions and their students through proactive leadership, tireless advocacy, and strategic partnerships across multiple sectors.
Today, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities represents more than 400 colleges and universities across the United States, Latin America, and Spain, as well as school districts throughout the U.S. The association’s comprehensive programs, professional development opportunities, and advocacy efforts remain accessible to all students, faculty, and staff at its member institutions. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, HACU maintains a vital national presence with additional offices in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, California, ensuring that the needs of HSIs and their student populations are effectively championed at every level of government and within the broader corporate and philanthropic communities.
