HACU Selects 26 Fellows for Leadership Program Focused on Higher Education Advancement
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has announced its 2025-26 Leadership Academy fellows, a program that develops administrators for top roles at Hispanic-Serving Institutions and has produced nine college presidents from previous cohorts.
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has selected 26 fellows for its seventh Leadership Academy cohort, continuing a program that has demonstrated significant impact in advancing leaders within higher education institutions, particularly 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 types of colleges and universities.
Fellows will engage in a structured curriculum including webinars and three seminars, with the first scheduled for November 2025 during HACU's 39th Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado. Additional seminars will follow in Washington, D.C., in April 2026 at HACU's National Capitol Forum, and at an international location yet 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 from university presidents or senior-level administrators, coupled with the development of special projects intended to create meaningful impact at each fellow's home institution. The program's effectiveness is evidenced by nine academy alumni who have attained presidential positions at institutions including California State University, Fresno; Macalester College; New Jersey City University; and Oregon Coast Community College, among others.
The 2025-26 cohort represents diverse institutions across the United States, with fellows coming from universities such as University of Northern Colorado, Rutgers University-Newark, University of California San Diego, and multiple community colleges including Dallas College and Hudson County Community College. The program receives support from Capital One and Mellon Foundation, which provide fellowships to selected recipients, further expanding access to leadership development opportunities in higher education administration.