The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) celebrated four decades of advocacy, educational advancement, and community partnership on November 1, 2026, by presenting prestigious leadership and philanthropic awards during the Power Lunch at its landmark 40th Annual Conference on Hispanic higher education. The gathering served as a central highlight of the multi-day summit, drawing educators, administrators, policymakers, and corporate leaders to Chula Vista, California, to reflect on progress made and chart the future of Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs).
The high-profile luncheon was convened by Northeastern Illinois University President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, who guided the afternoon program celebrating individuals and organizations whose dedication has significantly expanded educational opportunities for Hispanic students nationwide. The event underscored the critical intersection of legislative advocacy and corporate philanthropy in sustaining and growing the infrastructure of Hispanic higher education.
Celebrating Exemplary Policy and Advocacy Leadership
Among the main highlights of the afternoon ceremony was the presentation of the Exemplary Policy/Advocacy Leadership Award, which honors public servants who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing educational equity, securing institutional resources, and championing policies that uplift Hispanic students and the colleges and universities that serve them.
The honors were awarded to two prominent legislative figures: U.S. Representative Juan Vargas, representing California’s 52nd Congressional District, and California State Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes, representing District 29. Both lawmakers have built robust legislative records centered on improving access to quality education, supporting underserved communities, and strengthening the pipeline from K-12 education through higher education and into the workforce. Their recognition by HACU highlighted the vital role that federal and state policymakers play in addressing systemic disparities and providing the legal and financial frameworks necessary for Hispanic-serving institutions to thrive.
Recognizing Extraordinary Philanthropic Impact
In addition to celebrating policy leaders, the Power Lunch turned its attention to the vital contributions of the private sector in supporting educational success. The Coca-Cola Foundation was presented with the Extraordinary Philanthropic Partner Award in recognition of its sustained financial support, strategic investments, and long-standing commitment to student achievement within the HACU community.
Corporate partnerships have become increasingly essential for modern higher education, providing critical funding for scholarships, academic programs, leadership development initiatives, and institutional capacity-building. The recognition of The Coca-Cola Foundation highlighted the profound, lasting impact that strategic corporate philanthropy can have on removing financial barriers for first-generation and underrepresented college students.
The afternoon program also featured remarks from several key partners and corporate sponsors who have maintained active roles in supporting HACU’s mission and conference programming. Representatives from Molson Coors, Capital One, the American Red Cross, and CircleIn addressed the audience, sharing their perspectives on the importance of investing in diverse talent and fostering educational excellence. These organizations, alongside numerous other sponsors, played a vital role in making the milestone anniversary conference possible.
Four Decades of Championing Higher Education Success
The Power Lunch was an integral component of HACU’s 40th Annual Conference, held from October 31 through November 2, 2026, in Chula Vista, California. This year’s conference theme, “40 Years of Championing Higher Education Success: One Graduate at a Time,” provided a retrospective framework for attendees to evaluate four decades of organizational growth and impact.
Since its founding, HACU has grown into the champion of Hispanic higher education, representing hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States, Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the United States. The annual conference serves as the premier national gathering for dialogue, professional development, networking, and advocacy on behalf of Hispanic-serving institutions and the millions of students they educate.
Throughout the three-day event in Chula Vista, participants engaged in plenary sessions, workshops, and panel discussions covering a broad spectrum of topics, including enrollment trends, funding equity, workforce readiness, retention strategies, and the evolving role of technology in education. The celebration of the organization’s 40th anniversary allowed attendees to honor the pioneers who laid the groundwork for HACU while mobilizing a new generation of leaders to address the current and future challenges facing Hispanic higher education.
HACU leadership expressed deep gratitude to all participating partners, sponsors, and attendees for their continued dedication and financial support of the 40th Annual Conference. The event concluded with a renewed commitment among member institutions and corporate allies to continue working collaboratively toward educational equity and student success.
Additional photographs documenting the Power Lunch, award presentations, and conference proceedings have been made available for public viewing through HACU’s official digital archives on Flickr.
