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 in the ongoing celebrations leading up to HACU’s 40th anniversary. The gathering brought together prominent figures from across the higher education landscape to reflect upon four decades of dedicated advocacy, institutional growth, and the ongoing evolution of educational opportunities for Hispanic students across the United States and beyond.
The panel discussion featured an esteemed group of higher education leaders who have spent decades supporting, shaping, and advancing HACU’s overarching mission. The participants included 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. The conversation was expertly guided by Our Lady of the Lake University President Abel A. Chávez, who moderated the dialogue and facilitated a deep exploration of the past, present, and future of Hispanic higher education.
Bringing together these distinguished leaders created a unique forum for examining the historical trajectory of the association. Panelists used the platform to reflect candidly on HACU’s foundational history, its myriad accomplishments over the decades, and its tireless advocacy efforts on behalf of Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Beyond looking back at past milestones, the conversation pivoted toward the contemporary landscape, addressing the pressing challenges currently facing Hispanic-Serving Institutions and identifying emerging opportunities to better serve growing student populations in an increasingly complex educational environment.
The choice of location for the panel discussion held profound historical significance. HACU was originally founded in 1986 during a pivotal meeting held precisely at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, starting with an initial group of just 18 charter member institutions. Over the past four decades, what began as a modest gathering of visionary educators has expanded exponentially. Today, the association has grown into a powerful international network encompassing member institutions not only across the United States but extending into Latin America and Spain, persistently advocating for Hispanic-Serving Institutions and the millions of students they educate and support each year.
