The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has selected 26 fellows for its seventh Leadership Academy cohort, continuing its mission to develop leaders for higher education institutions with particular focus on Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Emerging HSIs. The year-long fellowship program provides comprehensive development activities designed to prepare participants for senior administrative roles across various higher education sectors. Fellows will engage in a structured program featuring webinars and three seminars, beginning in November 2025 during HACU's 39th Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado. Subsequent seminars will take place in Washington, D.C., in April 2026 at the National Capitol Forum, and at an international location to be determined.
The program's faculty comprises current and former presidents, chancellors, and senior administrators with over 100 years of combined experience across private and public universities, community colleges, and faith-based institutions. A critical component of the Leadership Academy involves mentorship relationships with university presidents or senior-level administrators, coupled with the development of impact projects at each fellow's home institution. The program's effectiveness is demonstrated by its alumni achievements, including nine former fellows who have attained presidential positions at institutions such as California State University, Fresno, Macalester College, and Oregon Coast Community College. Additional information about the program's structure and impact can be found at https://www.hacu.net.
The 2025-26 cohort includes participants from diverse institutions including University of Northern Colorado, Rutgers University-Newark, University of California campuses, and multiple community colleges. Fellowship support has been provided by https://www.capitalone.com and https://www.mellon.org, enabling selected recipients to participate in the development program. The Leadership Academy addresses the critical need for diverse leadership representation in higher education administration, particularly within institutions serving Hispanic student populations. This initiative matters because it directly tackles the underrepresentation of Hispanic leaders in higher education administration, creating a pipeline for institutional leadership that better reflects the student populations these institutions serve. The program's proven track record of producing presidents and senior administrators demonstrates its effectiveness in creating meaningful change within the higher education landscape.
The implications of this announcement extend beyond the individual fellows to the broader higher education ecosystem. By developing leaders specifically prepared to serve Hispanic-Serving Institutions, the program strengthens institutional capacity to support growing Hispanic student populations. The mentorship component ensures practical guidance from experienced administrators, while the impact projects create immediate positive change at fellows' home institutions. The program's success in placing alumni in presidential positions suggests it effectively addresses leadership gaps in higher education. This development is particularly significant given demographic shifts and the increasing importance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions in American higher education. The partnership with funding organizations like Capital One and the Mellon Foundation indicates broader recognition of the program's importance and sustainability.
