WASHINGTON — The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) convened educators and thought leaders from Hispanic Serving Institutions to advance the organization’s legislative agenda during the 23rd Annual National Capitol Forum on Hispanic Higher Education.
Conversations throughout the forum focused on ways to increase Hispanic representation in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics sector, advocacy suggestions for the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) and other efforts to increase federal investment in Hispanic higher education and HSIs.
Dr. Antonio R. Flores, president and chief executive officer of HACU, opened the forum with a declaration that HSIs “need and deserve” greater support from members of Congress across the country.
Flores praised the federal omnibus spending bill that approved a National Science Foundation grant supporting undergraduate STEM education at HSIs. A longtime goal for HACU, Flores added that the increased funding would help prepare the new wave of Hispanic workers preparing to compete in an economy with advanced technology.
In the opening plenary, “Achieving Real-World Learning and Career Readiness: Policy and Collaboration,” California State University System chancellor Dr. Timothy P. White echoed Flores’ sentiments.
He said the omnibus bill would allow institutions to increase support for students such as Pell recipients and increase teacher-preparation and community-engagement programs.
“But, more work remains,” White said.
