The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has officially announced the selection of 22 distinguished fellows for the eighth cohort of its prestigious Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo. Since its inception, the nationally recognized program has played a transformative role in advancing the careers of emerging leaders within a wide array of higher education institutions, clearly demonstrating its ongoing value in expanding pathways to executive leadership at the highest levels of college and university administrations.
Designed to address the distinct needs of the higher education landscape, the fellowship focuses heavily on preparing participants for top administrative roles across the full spectrum of institutions of higher learning, placing a special emphasis on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Emerging HSIs. As demographic shifts continue to transform college campuses across the United States and abroad, programs like La Academia de Liderazgo serve as a vital pipeline for diverse talent equipped to lead academic communities into the future.
The comprehensive one-year fellowship program is structured to provide a balanced mix of theoretical knowledge, practical administrative insights, and immersive networking experiences. Fellows participate in a wide range of targeted development activities and webinars, complemented by three intensive seminars held at significant academic and policy gatherings.
The first seminar of the upcoming cohort is scheduled to take place in November 2026 in Chula Vista, California, held in conjunction with HACU’s milestone 40th Annual Conference. This gathering will offer fellows a unique opportunity to engage with national leaders, college presidents, and policy experts who gather annually to discuss the most pressing issues facing Hispanic higher education. Following the inaugural gathering, the second seminar will convene in Washington, D.C., in April 2027, coinciding with HACU’s National Capitol Forum. This leg of the fellowship will immerse participants in the federal policy arena, providing them with a firsthand look at how legislative decisions, federal funding allocations, and advocacy efforts directly impact higher education institutions and the students they serve. The third and final seminar of the fellowship will take place at a yet-to-be-determined international location, broadening the fellows’ global perspective on higher education administration, cross-cultural institutional partnerships, and international academic standards.
A cornerstone of the Leadership Academy’s success is its distinguished faculty, which consists of an impressive roster of current and former university presidents, chancellors, and senior-level administrators. Together, the faculty brings over 100 years of combined experience serving across diverse sectors of higher education. This includes leadership within private and public universities, community college districts, and faith-based institutions.
In addition to faculty instruction, mentorship remains a key and transformative component of the program. Each fellow is paired with an experienced university president or senior-level administrator who provides personalized guidance, strategic advice, and professional insights throughout the fellowship year. Furthermore, fellows are required to develop and execute a special project specifically designed to create a measurable, positive impact at their current home institution, ensuring that the fellowship yields immediate, practical benefits for their academic communities.
The track record of the Leadership Academy speaks volumes about its effectiveness in cultivating executive-level talent. Numerous alumni of the program have gone on to achieve the highest leadership positions within academia. Among the esteemed Academy alumni who have attained university and college presidencies are Waleska Crespo-Rivera, Ph.D., president of Universidad Central del Caribe; Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D., president of California State University, Fresno; Daniel López, Jr., Ph.D., president of Harold Washington College; Suzanne Rivera, Ph.D., president of Macalester College; Andrés Acebo, J.D., president of New Jersey City University; Julie Dinger, Ph.D., president of Oklahoma Panhandle State University; Manuel Alejandro Pérez, Ed.D., president of the College of San Mateo; Norma Pastor, president of Keiser University Miami Campus; and Marshall Mease Roache, Ed.D., president of Oregon Coast Community College.
The continued growth and accessibility of the Leadership Academy are made possible through the generous support of foundational partners. HACU extends its special thanks to Capital One and the Mellon Foundation for their steadfast support in providing crucial fellowships and scholarships to selected recipients within this year’s cohort.
The 22 exceptional educators and administrators selected for the 2026-2027 cohort represent a diverse array of institutions across the country and beyond. The fellows and their respective home institutions include Victor Carmona, Ph.D., from the University of San Diego; Marcela G. Cuellar, Ph.D., from the University of California, Davis; Michael Diaz, J.D., from the University of California, San Diego; Michel Estefan, Ph.D., from the University of California, San Diego; Rosilie Hernández, from the University of Illinois Chicago; Heather Herrera, Ed.D., from Our Lady of the Lake University; César Jiménez, Ed.D., from Bakersfield College; Renzo Lara, Ed.D., from San Diego State University; Karla M. Ayala Lebrón, Ed.D., from Universidad de Sagrado Corazón; Grant Linsell, D.M.A., from Fullerton College; Angela Marquez, Ph.D., from the Community College of Aurora; Clarissa Martinez, Ed.D., from The University of Texas at San Antonio; Carlos Antonio González Palacios, Ph.D., from CETYS University; Gonzalo Perez, Ph.D., from Mercer County Community College; Antonio Santiago, Ed.D., from CT State Community College; Pedro Nungaray, from Harold Washington College; Karlos Santos-Coy, from the University of California, San Diego; Teresa Maria Linda Scholz, Ph.D., from New Mexico State University; César S. Silva, Ph.D., from Texas Lutheran University; Fabián Sergio Wander, from Eugenio Maria de Hostos Community College, CUNY; Susanna Zambrano, from Arizona Western College; and Felix Zúñiga, Ed.D., from the California State University Office of the Chancellor.
Among this accomplished group, specific fellowships and scholarships have been designated through partner backing, with Capital One supporting fellows Heather Herrera, Angela Marquez, Pedro Nungaray, Fabián Sergio Wander, and Felix Zúñiga. Meanwhile, Mellon Foundation scholarships have been awarded to Victor Carmona, Michel Estefan, Rosilie Hernández, César Jiménez, Renzo Lara, Karla M. Ayala Lebrón, Grant Linsell, Clarissa Martinez, Carlos Antonio González Palacios, Antonio Santiago, Teresa Maria Linda Scholz, and César S. Silva.
