HACU Announces 2025-26 Leadership Academy Fellows to Advance Higher Education Diversity

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities has announced the selection of 26 fellows for the seventh cohort of its Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo, continuing its mission to develop diverse leadership within higher education institutions. This program has demonstrated significant success in advancing careers to the highest levels of college and university administrations since its inception, providing critical preparation for leadership roles across all types of higher learning institutions with particular emphasis on Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Emerging HSIs.

The comprehensive one-year fellowship program includes webinars and three seminars designed to provide intensive professional development. The first seminar will be held in November 2025 in conjunction with HACU's 39th Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado, followed by a second seminar in Washington, D.C., during HACU's National Capitol Forum in April 2026. The third seminar will take place at an international location yet to be determined, offering fellows global perspectives on higher education leadership.

A distinguishing feature of the program is its faculty composed of current and former presidents, chancellors, and senior administrators who bring over 100 years of combined experience across various higher education sectors including private and public universities, community colleges, and faith-based institutions. The program's mentorship component pairs each fellow with a university president or senior-level administrator, while fellows also develop special projects designed to create meaningful impact at their current institutions.

The program's effectiveness is evidenced by the career trajectories of previous participants. Nine academy alumni have attained president positions at institutions including Universidad Central del Caribe, California State University Fresno, Harold Washington College, Macalester College, New Jersey City University, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, College of San Mateo, Keiser University Miami Campus, and Oregon Coast Community College. This track record demonstrates the program's capacity to prepare leaders for the most senior roles in higher education administration.

The 2025-26 cohort represents a diverse group of professionals from institutions across the United States. Fellowship recipients include Jonathan Alcántar from University of Northern Colorado, Wendy Arzate from Malcolm X College, María V. Boccalandro from Dallas College, and numerous other distinguished educators and administrators from community colleges, state universities, and private institutions. The program receives crucial support from Capital One and Mellon Foundation, which provide fellowships to selected recipients, enabling broader participation and accessibility.

This leadership development initiative addresses the critical need for diverse representation in higher education administration, particularly within institutions serving Hispanic student populations. By preparing qualified professionals for presidential and senior administrative roles, the program contributes to more inclusive leadership structures that better reflect the student demographics they serve. The continued investment in such leadership pipelines ensures that higher education institutions can effectively address the evolving needs of increasingly diverse student bodies while maintaining institutional excellence and innovation.