SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 13, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) will present its President's Awards of Excellence during HACU's 29th Annual Conference, "Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success: Empowering Students, Enhancing Collaboration," Oct. 10-12, 2015, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel.
"HACU is delighted to honor those individuals and partners and institutions who have made significant contributions to HACU's mission through leadership, advocacy, service, policy work and higher education partnerships," said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores. "Through collaborations with such exceptional leaders, partners and institutions, HACU continues to expand opportunities for students, the future workforce of our nation."
The annual awards recognize individuals, institutions and organizations that have contributed in exemplary ways to Hispanic higher education. In addition, a new Champion will be inducted into HACU's Hall of Champions, an honor that recognizes individuals who embody the mission of the Association.
The 2015 honorees are:
-- HACU Hall of Champions, Professor of Law Emeritus at the University of California, Davis, Cruz Reynoso.
-- HACU Lifelong Leadership Award, in recognition of lifelong leadership and advocacy for Hispanic higher education success, former Vice President for Governmental Relations at Florida International University Steve Sauls.
-- HACU Lifelong Leadership Award, in recognition of lifelong leadership and advocacy for Hispanic higher education success, Chancellor Emerita of San José/Evergreen Community College District Rita Cepeda, Ed.D.
-- President's Award of Excellence, in recognition of outstanding service to Hispanic higher education success, Senior Partner at Deloitte Tax LLP Jerry Gattegno.
-- President's Award of Excellence, in recognition of outstanding service to Hispanic higher education success, President of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Ponce, Jorge Vélez-Arocho, Ph.D.
-- Exemplary Policy/Advocacy Leadership Award, in recognition of exemplary leadership and support of HACU's policy issues, Program Director of TheDream.US, Maria Gabriela "Gaby" Pacheco.
-- Exemplary International HACU Member Institution, in recognition of outstanding support of HACU's International work, Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara.
-- Outstanding HACU-Member Institution (HSI), in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission, California State University, San Bernardino.
-- Outstanding HACU-Member Institution (AMI), in recognition of excellence in support of HACU's mission, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
-- Outstanding HACU Public Sector Partner, for outstanding leadership and support of HACU's mission, Library of Congress.
The conference agenda and registration information is available online at www.hacu.net. Onsite registration will also be available.
HACU's 29th Annual Conference is the association's premier three day event on Hispanic higher education. The conference is made possible thanks to the generous support of its conference sponsors and partners.
About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) represents more than 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America and Spain. For more information, visit www.hacu.net. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @HACUNews.
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