Marymount University President Irma Becerra delivered the keynote address at the inaugural Summit for Advancing the Higher Education Pathway in the Southeast for Hispanics and Latinos, held at the University of South Carolina (USC) last month. The event, co-hosted by USC’s Latino and Hispanic Faculty Caucus and SC Centro Latino, brought together a wide range of educators, students and policy leaders to tackle the persistent challenges facing Latino and Hispanic communities in higher education.
The summit marked a significant step in fostering cross-institutional collaboration and highlighting the talent and potential within the Hispanic and Latino academic community. The day’s agenda featured other leading voices in higher education, including HACU President and CEO Dr. Antonio R. Flores and University of South Carolina President Dr. Michael D. Amiridis.
President Becerra’s speech, rooted in her own experience as a first-generation college student and Cuban immigrant, struck a deeply personal and inspiring tone.
“Education wasn’t just a means to an end but a beacon of hope,” she told attendees. “I knew I could overcome my challenges if I embraced perseverance.”
In her remarks, President Becerra highlighted key demographic shifts and their implications for higher education. Nearly one in five Americans today identify as Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census—up from just over six percent in 1980. This growth has mirrored a rise in high school graduation (from 58 percent in 1996 to 89 percent in 2021) and college enrollment rates (from 1.2 million in 2005 to 2.4 million in 2021) among Hispanic students, but persistent barriers remain.
“Seventy percent of Latino college students today are first-generation,” President Becerra noted. “They’re navigating the complexities of college largely on their own, balancing academics with family obligations and financial responsibilities. To truly support them, our institutions must rethink how we define and deliver student success.”
President Becerra emphasized the importance of tailored support structures—financial aid, mentorship, academic advising and career preparation—that meet students where they are. Drawing from her own journey, from being the first woman to earn an electrical engineering doctorate at Florida International University to now leading Virginia’s first and only Hispanic-Serving Institution at Marymount, she emphasized how resilience and preparation can open doors even in the face of systemic adversity.
Her message resonated strongly with attendees and sparked a lively Q&A session.
“The level of care and investment that the keynote speakers, who are incredibly busy, showed was inspiring,” said summit organizer and SC Centro Latino director Araceli Hernández-Laroche. “After her keynote, President Becerra signaled to me to keep going with audience questions, and President Antonio Flores shared such a calm, hopeful message for our time.”
President Becerra’s participation in the summit reaffirmed Marymount’s reputation as a thriving, diverse campus community. During her tenure, the University has consistently been recognized for fostering diversity and innovation while also expanding access and opportunities for historically underrepresented students.
“In every challenge, there is an opportunity,” President Becerra reminded the audience. “Let us prepare and persist together—for our students, institutions and the future of higher education.”
The summit concluded with an action planning session focused on sustaining momentum, building networks and sharing best practices across the region. Organizers hope to establish the summit as a recurring event that amplifies Hispanic and Latino voices in higher education.
