The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) marked a major milestone in its ongoing mission to champion student success by hosting its landmark 40th Annual Conference, culminating in a festive and inspiring Networking Dinner that highlighted exceptional leadership within the academic and professional communities. The premier gathering, which drew educators, institutional leaders, corporate partners, and student scholars from across the nation, took place from October 31 to November 2, 2026, in the vibrant coastal city of Chula Vista, California.
Under the commemorative theme, "40 Years of Championing Higher Education Success: One Graduate at a Time," the three-day conference served as both a retrospective of four decades of advocacy for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and a forward-looking forum on the future of higher education equity and workforce development. The celebration reached one of its emotional and professional highlights during the evening Networking Dinner on November 2, 2026. David Ortiz, HACU Executive Vice President of Programs and Operations, served as the convener for the evening’s award presentations, guiding an audience of hundreds through a program dedicated to recognizing outstanding professional achievement, community impact, and emerging student leadership.
The spotlight of the evening’s honors fell first on Elizabeth Pastrano, founder of Act 2 Venture LLC, who was formally presented with the prestigious Alicia Casanova Award. Pastrano’s recognition underscores the profound and long-lasting impact of HACU’s foundational programs, as she is a proud alumna of the HACU National Internship Program. The Alicia Casanova Award is a distinguished accolade specifically created to honor HACU alumni who have not only distinguished themselves within their respective professional fields but have also demonstrated a deep commitment to positively affecting and uplifting the lives of others. Pastrano’s journey from a national intern to a successful entrepreneurial leader serves as a powerful testament to the caliber of talent nurtured through HACU’s diverse professional development pipeline.
In addition to celebrating individual alumni excellence, the Networking Dinner provided a national platform to introduce the newly elected leaders who will guide the HACU Alumni Network into its next chapter. The newly announced Executive Committee members represent a diverse group of professionals dedicated to fostering a strong, connected community of graduates who can mentor and support the next generation of scholars. The newly elected leadership team includes Chair Yudi Vargas Lewis, Vice Chair Javier Lozano, Treasurer Luis Hernandez, and Secretary Lisa Vazquez Vigil. Furthermore, the committee incorporates specialized leadership roles to bridge the gap between current students and established professionals, naming Angel Avalos-Lagunas as Student Ambassador and Sofia Ramos as Professional Leadership Ambassador. This dynamic leadership team is expected to expand networking opportunities, professional mentorship, and collaborative initiatives for thousands of HACU alumni nationwide.
The celebration of emerging talent continued with the presentation of the Jose Ruano – Student Leadership Award, which was bestowed upon two exceptionally promising participants from HACU’s renowned Voces Nuevas program. The award recognizes undergraduate scholars who have exhibited extraordinary leadership qualities, civic engagement, and a commitment to advocacy on their respective campuses and within their communities. Grace Velasquez, a dedicated student representing Montclair State University, and Nicole Briceño, an accomplished scholar representing Washington University in St. Louis, were jointly honored with the award. Their selection highlights the coast-to-coast reach and the high standards of leadership cultivated through the Voces Nuevas initiative, which equips students with the advocacy and communication skills necessary to become influential voices in the public sphere.
Throughout the conference, attendees reflected on the remarkable growth and institutional maturation of HACU since its founding four decades ago. What began as an ambitious advocacy organization has evolved into an indispensable voice for Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the millions of students they serve annually. The 40th Annual Conference provided a vital space for panel discussions, workshops, and keynote addresses focused on institutional resilience, academic innovation, funding equity, and the transition of Hispanic graduates into the modern workforce. HACU leadership took the opportunity during the Chula Vista gathering to express profound gratitude to all the corporate partners, philanthropic foundations, academic institutions, and individual sponsors whose steadfast support made the milestone 40th Annual Conference possible.
As the conference concluded, participants left with renewed energy to carry forward the mission of championing higher education success. Comprehensive photographic documentation of the conference highlights, including moments captured during the landmark Networking Dinner, has been made available to the public and conference attendees through HACU’s official digital archives. Additional photos from the event can be viewed online via HACU’s shared media platform.
