The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and Our Lady of the Lake University recently hosted a landmark panel discussion titled “The Road to 40 Years: A Conversation,” marking a significant milestone in the organization’s history. Held on October 7, 2026, at the Our Lady of the Lake University campus in San Antonio, Texas, the event served as a central fixture of the broader celebrations commemorating HACU’s upcoming 40th anniversary. The gathering drew educators, administrators, students, and community leaders to reflect upon four decades of dedicated advocacy, institutional growth, and educational empowerment for Hispanic students across the United States and beyond.
The high-profile panel brought together some of the most influential figures in modern higher education who have spent years supporting, shaping, and advancing HACU’s core mission. The discussion featured HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores; Alamo Colleges District Chancellor and immediate past chair of the HACU Governing Board Mike Flores; Blandina “Bambi” Cárdenas, former president of the University of Texas-Pan American; and Ana “Cha” Guzman, president emerita of Palo Alto College. Guiding the conversation as moderator was Our Lady of the Lake University President Abel A. Chávez, who steered the dialogue through historical reflections, current challenges, and visionary outlooks for the future of higher education.
For attendees and participants alike, the event provided a profound opportunity to look back at the origins of an organization that has fundamentally transformed the educational landscape. The conversation focused heavily on HACU’s rich history, its monumental accomplishments over the decades, and its relentless advocacy efforts on behalf of Hispanic-Serving Institutions, commonly known as HSIs. Beyond celebrating past successes, the panel engaged in a forward-looking dialogue, examining the current obstacles facing higher education institutions and exploring emerging opportunities to better serve Hispanic students in an evolving sociopolitical and economic environment.
The historical significance of holding the event at Our Lady of the Lake University cannot be overstated, as OLLU is the very birthplace of the association. HACU was officially founded in 1986 during a historic meeting convened at the San Antonio university, starting with a modest group of just 18 charter member institutions. From those pioneering roots, the association has experienced extraordinary growth over the past four decades, expanding its footprint to include member institutions across the United States, Latin America, and Spain. Throughout this remarkable expansion, HACU has remained steadfast in its commitment to championing Hispanic-Serving Institutions and ensuring that the millions of students they serve receive equitable access to quality higher education and professional opportunities.
