The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) celebrated four decades of advocacy, community building, and educational advancement by presenting prestigious leadership and philanthropic awards on November 1, 2026. The accolades were distributed during the high-profile Power Lunch, a central event of HACU’s landmark 40th Annual Conference on Hispanic higher education, which brought together institutional leaders, policymakers, corporate partners, and students in Chula Vista, California.
The afternoon gathering served as a vital focal point for the three-day conference, which ran from October 31 through November 2, 2026. Operating under the resonant theme “40 Years of Championing Higher Education Success: One Graduate at a Time,” the conference underscored HACU’s long-standing mission to champion opportunities for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and the millions of students they serve nationwide. Providing steady leadership for the midday event, Northeastern Illinois University President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan served as the official convener, guiding an audience of hundreds through a program dedicated to recognizing exceptional contributions to educational equity and student achievement.
Among the highlights of the Power Lunch was the presentation of the Exemplary Policy/Advocacy Leadership Award, which honors public servants who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to advancing legislative policies and institutional supports that benefit Hispanic higher education. This year, the distinguished honor was awarded to two prominent West Coast public 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 expanding educational access, securing critical funding for public colleges and universities, and advocating for underrepresented communities within the educational pipeline.
In addition to recognizing legislative champions, the program shone a spotlight on the vital role that private sector partnerships play in sustaining the mission of HACU and its member institutions. The Coca-Cola Foundation was honored with the Extraordinary Philanthropic Partner Award, acknowledging its enduring financial commitment and collaborative initiatives designed to foster student success, leadership development, and scholarship opportunities across the higher education landscape. Corporate support was further highlighted throughout the luncheon through special partner and sponsor remarks delivered by representatives from Molson Coors, Capital One, the American Red Cross, and CircleIn, each of whom underscored the business community’s shared stake in cultivating a diverse, highly educated workforce.
The annual gathering not only celebrated individual and organizational achievements but also provided a collaborative space for stakeholders to reflect on four decades of progress. Since its founding, HACU has grown into a dynamic association representing hundreds of colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success. Events like the Power Lunch reinforce the powerful synergy between lawmakers, philanthropic foundations, corporate sponsors, and academic leaders working in tandem to dismantle systemic barriers and create clear pathways to graduation and career readiness for Hispanic students.
As the conference concluded, organizers expressed profound gratitude to all the partners, sponsors, and attendees whose collective backing ensured the milestone anniversary event’s success. Documentation of the celebratory moments from the Power Lunch, including captured highlights of the award presentations and gathering, remains accessible to the public via online photo galleries hosted on Flickr, allowing the broader community to share in the commemoration of HACU’s enduring legacy and its continued forward momentum.
