The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has officially opened online registration for its highly anticipated 31st Annual National Capitol Forum, marking a significant milestone in ongoing nationwide efforts to champion higher education equity and secure vital federal support for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). As colleges, universities, and community stakeholders navigate an increasingly complex legislative landscape, the upcoming forum serves as a cornerstone event for leaders dedicated to advancing educational opportunities that uplift families, empower communities, and strengthen the nation’s economic and civic future.
Alongside the opening of event registration, HACU has intensified its broader advocacy initiatives, calling upon educators, students, alumni, and community allies to actively participate in the legislative process. Through the HACU Advocacy Center and dedicated institutional support programs, the organization continues to mobilize stakeholders to share their personal stories and advocate for policies that directly impact millions of students nationwide. These initiatives are designed to highlight the transformative impact of HSIs and ensure that policymakers in Washington, D.C., understand the critical importance of sustained federal investments in higher education.
Advocacy Overview and the National Capitol Forum
The annual National Capitol Forum has long served as the premier advocacy gathering for representatives from Hispanic-Serving Institutions and higher education leaders from across the country. Attendees converge on the nation’s capital to engage directly with members of Congress, federal agency officials, and key policymakers. The event provides a vital platform for discussing federal policy priorities, legislative strategies, and the unique challenges facing institutions that educate high concentrations of minority and low-income students.
Online registration is now officially open for the 31st Annual National Capitol Forum, inviting presidents, administrators, faculty, staff, and students to participate in this critical dialogue. Participants will have the opportunity to attend informative briefings led by policy experts, participate in workshops focused on federal funding opportunities, and join coordinated delegations to meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. By bringing together a diverse coalition of educational leaders, HACU aims to amplify the collective voice of the higher education community and advocate for policies that foster student success, institutional capacity-building, and equitable resource allocation.
Support Hispanic-Serving Institutions By Sharing Your Story
At the heart of HACU’s current advocacy campaign is a powerful call to action emphasizing the human element of higher education policy: storytelling. The organization stresses that individual voices matter deeply in the legislative arena. Behind every statistic regarding enrollment, retention, and graduation rates are real students, families, and communities whose lives have been fundamentally transformed by access to quality higher education.
Help ensure all students have access to quality education that uplifts families, empowers communities, and strengthens our nation by engaging with the HACU Advocacy Center. The center provides tools, resources, and guidance for individuals wishing to share their personal and institutional stories with elected officials. Whether through written testimonies, meetings with congressional staffers, or digital advocacy campaigns, sharing these narratives helps personalize complex policy debates. Lawmakers are consistently moved and influenced by firsthand accounts of how federal student aid, institutional development grants, and HSI designation programs enable first-generation and underrepresented students to achieve their academic and professional dreams.
Defending the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Program
A central pillar of HACU’s legislative agenda involves vigorously defending and strengthening the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program under the Higher Education Act. These federal programs provide essential funding that allows colleges and universities to improve academic offerings, enhance campus infrastructure, expand student support services, and strengthen institutional stability. As enrollment at HSIs continues to grow nationwide, safeguarding these resources is more critical than ever.
The advocacy efforts coordinated by HACU and its partners focus on educating lawmakers about the vital role HSIs play in the broader American educational ecosystem. While these institutions enroll a rapidly growing share of the nation’s undergraduates, they have historically operated with fewer resources compared to traditional non-minority-serving institutions. Defending the HSI program means pushing for robust, equitable federal appropriations that match the scale of the student populations these colleges serve. Through targeted advocacy campaigns, briefings, and collaborative stakeholder coalitions, HACU continues to monitor legislative developments closely and mobilize grassroots support whenever federal funding levels or program integrity are threatened.
Federal Policy Priorities and HACU on the Hill
HACU’s ongoing legislative agenda encompasses a comprehensive range of federal policy priorities designed to advance equity in higher education. These priorities include advocating for increased funding for Title V and Title III programs, expanding access to Pell Grants and federal financial aid for low-income students, supporting Dreamers and undocumented students, and promoting diversity within the STEM workforce and professional fields.
The "HACU on the Hill" initiative serves as a direct conduit between the association’s member institutions and the federal government. Throughout the year, HACU monitors legislative proposals moving through the House of Representatives and the Senate, analyzing their potential impact on HSIs and formulating strategic responses. By maintaining an active presence in Washington, D.C., HACU ensures that the interests of Hispanic-serving institutions remain at the forefront of national policy discussions.
Complementing its federal advocacy, HACU places significant emphasis on state-level advocacy and resource development. Recognizing that education policy is shaped at both the state and federal levels, the organization provides resources and guidance to help institutions navigate state legislative processes, forge regional partnerships, and advocate for supportive state policies. Comprehensive resource materials, toolkits, and updates are regularly made available through the HACU advocacy network to equip member institutions with the information they need to drive meaningful change locally, regionally, and nationally.
