Last month, the Hispanic Association for Colleges and Universities (HACU) held its Adelante Leadership Conference in person for the first time since 2019. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Marymount University sent a group to San Diego to learn about rebuilding a more resilient and inclusive America through championing Hispanic success in higher education. Joining President Irma Becerra were several student leaders, including Andrea Anaya-Sandoval, Nicholas Mariel, Aileen Martinez, Ashley Trejo Mejia and Melody Salguero.
The HACU conference aims to draw college students across the country, from a wide range of academic disciplines, to participate in career and leadership development activities, workshops and pre-conference and post-conference events. Hispanic-serving school districts and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) were just a few of the important topics addressed throughout the event. The experience resonated with Marymount student leaders, who considered new ways to enhance their leadership skills for the betterment of their campus and the greater community.
“I would like to thank President Becerra for giving my peers and I numerous opportunities to grow as self-sufficient individuals looking for a brighter future,” Mariel said.
At the conference, President Becerra moderated a town hall discussion on how energy companies and partnerships with HSIs can guide more students to careers in the clean energy industry.
“Hispanic-Serving Institutions and their students are an asset in strengthening the country’s global role in STEM careers, particularly in clean energies and environmental justice,” President Becerra said. “This discussion is an important one as lessening the effects of climate change and emphasizing environmental justice has become even more vital as the world continues to recover from the pandemic.”
Shortly after the panel, a MOU signing was held between HACU and Hispanics in Energy, a national public benefit corporation dedicated to facilitating the inclusion of Hispanics in America’s energy industries.
“HACU and Hispanics in Energy will work to strengthen the energy STEM pathway to increase the number of students from Hispanic-Serving Institutions who enter the energy workforce, and to advance Hispanics serving in executive leadership roles in the energy sector,” President Becerra said.
