The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) recently convened an engaging virtual fireside chat featuring Ambassador Ken Salazar, drawing educators, students, and institutional leaders together to discuss leadership, public service, and the ongoing journey toward a more inclusive American society.
The special virtual event, held on October 15, 2026, highlighted Salazar’s newly published book, Borderlands: My Fight for an Inclusive America. HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores joined the conversation to dialogue with the distinguished author and diplomat. The discussion was expertly moderated by Abel A. Chávez, President of Our Lady of the Lake University, guiding a thoughtful exploration of themes central to the educational and civic advancement of Hispanic communities and the broader nation.
Salazar’s personal journey forms the emotional and intellectual backbone of Borderlands. Growing up on his family’s ranch nestled in the remote landscape of Colorado’s San Luis Valley, Salazar was the very first member of his immediate family to attend college. That educational milestone unlocked a remarkable career in public service that eventually spanned local, state, and federal levels of government. Over the decades, Salazar has broken significant barriers, serving the public as Colorado’s attorney general, a United States senator, the secretary of the interior, and, most recently, as the U.S. ambassador to Mexico.
Through these varied and high-profile roles, Salazar has remained deeply connected to his roots while navigating the complex intersections of American and international policy. In Borderlands, he reflects candidly on these decades of experience, utilizing his personal narrative to advocate passionately for a stronger, more united, and fundamentally more inclusive America. The virtual chat provided an ideal platform to unpack these profound reflections before an audience deeply invested in the future of higher education and civic leadership.
During the wide-ranging conversation, the participants explored several interconnected themes, beginning with the foundational influence of family, community, and education in shaping dedicated public servants. Salazar and the university presidents examined the indispensable role that higher education plays in identifying, nurturing, and developing the next generation of leaders. Particular emphasis was placed on the vital function of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)—the very institutions championed by HACU—in preparing students to meet the complex challenges of an evolving global landscape.
The dialogue also ventured into broader socio-political territory, addressing the urgent need to bridge deepening political and cultural divides within the United States. Furthermore, the conversation underscored the critical importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the United States and Mexico. The leaders discussed actionable ways to expand opportunities for cross-border collaboration across multiple sectors, including educational exchanges, joint research initiatives, and strategic workforce development programs designed to benefit communities on both sides of the border.
A major highlight of the virtual event was an announcement regarding how colleges and universities can actively engage their campus communities with the themes of Salazar’s book. Salazar introduced the initiative known as "One Book, More Voices," a pioneering effort established through the Borderlands New North American Alliance Fund. This program is designed to provide matching copies of the book directly to classrooms, campus libraries, and specialized student programs, ensuring that students have access to the literature and the critical dialogues it inspires.
As the virtual fireside chat drew to a close, attendees were left with a renewed sense of purpose regarding the transformative power of education and the enduring responsibilities of leadership in an interconnected world. Through events like this, HACU continues to foster vital conversations that inspire academic institutions, educators, and students to champion inclusivity and excellence across the educational spectrum.
