The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) marked a significant milestone during its recent national gathering, celebrating four decades of advocacy, educational advancement, and leadership development. On November 2, 2026, the association hosted its prominent Networking Dinner as a central highlight of its 40th Annual Conference. The multi-day event, held from October 31 through November 2 in Chula Vista, California, operated under the fitting anniversary theme, "40 Years of Championing Higher Education Success: One Graduate at a Time."
During the well-attended Networking Dinner, HACU formally recognized exceptional individuals who embody the mission of the organization through professional distinction, community impact, and emerging student leadership. David Ortiz, HACU Executive Vice President of Programs and Operations, served as the convener for the celebratory evening, guiding the program as awards were presented to standout alumni and scholars.
The prestigious Alicia Casanova Award was presented to Elizabeth Pastrano, the founder of Act 2 Venture LLC. Pastrano is a proud alumna of the HACU National Internship Program, a transformative initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic preparation and professional environments for Hispanic and diverse college students. The Alicia Casanova Award is a special recognition reserved for HACU alumni who have distinguished themselves significantly within their respective professional fields while actively creating a positive, lasting impact on the lives of others. Pastrano’s recognition underscores the long-term value and career pathways fostered by HACU’s foundational programs, illustrating how early professional placement can blossom into entrepreneurial leadership and community stewardship.
In addition to celebrating individual alumni excellence, the evening served as an important platform for announcing the newly elected members of the HACU Alumni Network Executive Committee. This leadership team is poised to guide the alumni network into its next era of engagement and support. The newly announced committee features Yudi Vargas Lewis as Chair, bringing leadership and vision to the alumni community. Supporting the Chair are Vice Chair Javier Lozano, Treasurer Luis Hernandez, and Secretary Lisa Vazquez Vigil. To ensure robust representation across different tiers of the academic and professional spectrum, the committee also appointed Angel Avalos-Lagunas as Student Ambassador and Sofia Ramos as Professional Leadership Ambassador. This dynamic leadership team will work collaboratively to strengthen connections among the vast network of HACU program graduates across the United States and beyond.
The celebration of emerging talent continued with the presentation of the Jose Ruano – Student Leadership Award. This notable accolade was awarded to two exceptional participants of HACU’s Voces Nuevas program, an initiative dedicated to cultivating civic engagement, advocacy, and leadership skills among young scholars. The recipients of the Jose Ruano – Student Leadership Award, along with their respective home institutions, are Grace Velasquez, a student at Montclair State University, and Nicole Briceño, a student at Washington University in St. Louis. Both students have demonstrated remarkable dedication to leadership, academic excellence, and community representation, making them fitting honorees for an award named in honor of leadership and service.
The festive Networking Dinner and its accompanying award ceremonies were integral components of HACU’s landmark 40th Annual Conference. Over the course of three days in Chula Vista, educators, administrators, corporate partners, policymakers, and students gathered to reflect on four decades of progress in Hispanic higher education, share best practices, and chart a course for the future. Association leadership expressed deep gratitude to all the partners, sponsors, and supporters whose generous contributions made the milestone 40th Annual Conference possible.
Attendees and supporters interested in revisiting the memorable moments of the evening can view additional photographs from the conference and the Networking Dinner through HACU’s official online photo collection.
