The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has announced that it will host an exclusive virtual fireside chat featuring Ambassador Ken Salazar, author of the acclaimed book Borderlands: My Fight for an Inclusive America. The virtual event is scheduled for October 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. Central Time, bringing together prominent leaders in higher education and public service to discuss the intersections of identity, education, and national leadership.
HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores will join Ambassador Salazar for the in-depth conversation. The session will be moderated by Abel A. Chávez, President of Our Lady of the Lake University, providing a dynamic academic and civic framework for the dialogue. The event is designed to draw an audience from across the higher education landscape, offering deep insights into the experiences that have shaped Salazar’s distinguished career in state, national, and international governance.
Ambassador Salazar’s journey to public service is rooted in his upbringing on his family’s ranch in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. As the first person in his family to attend college, Salazar’s personal narrative mirrors the aspirations and hurdles faced by countless students navigating higher education today. His subsequent career spans some of the highest levels of American public life, including service as the Attorney General of Colorado, a United States Senator, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, and the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.
In his book, Borderlands, Salazar reflects extensively on these experiences, utilizing his life story and career milestones to make a compelling case for a stronger, more inclusive America. The upcoming fireside chat will build upon these themes, exploring how early influences of family and education can propel individuals into impactful public service careers.
Furthermore, the discussion will spotlight the critical role that higher education institutions—particularly Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)—play in developing the next generation of leaders. As colleges and universities continually seek innovative ways to prepare students for leadership roles in an increasingly interconnected world, the event will examine how institutions can actively equip students to bridge political and cultural divides.
Another major focus of the conversation will center on international diplomacy and cross-border collaboration. Given Salazar’s extensive tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, the dialogue will touch upon strategies for strengthening U.S.-Mexico relations. Panelists are expected to delve into expanding opportunities for bilateral cooperation in areas critical to the future of both nations, including education, academic research, and comprehensive workforce development.
During the webinar, Ambassador Salazar will also introduce and discuss an initiative known as “One Book, More Voices.” This new effort, operating under the Borderlands New North American Alliance Fund, is designed to help academic institutions bring the themes of Borderlands directly to their student bodies. The program provides matching copies of the book for integration into classrooms, campus libraries, and specialized student programs, fostering broader campus-wide discussions on inclusion, civic engagement, and leadership.
The virtual event is open to representatives from HACU-member institutions, as well as institutional partners and academic communities. University and college presidents, faculty members, and campus staff working within relevant disciplines are strongly encouraged to attend. In particular, educators and researchers in political science, history, Chicano and Latino studies, Southwest studies, international relations, and public policy will find the conversation directly aligned with their academic curricula. Leaders are also encouraged to share the event details with their student bodies to encourage broad student participation.
Registration for the virtual fireside chat is currently open, and interested participants can secure their attendance through the official online registration portal provided by HACU.
