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Millersville University recently joined the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities – a distinction representing only 17% of all higher education institutions nationwide.
“This association will contribute to the overall success and sense of belonging for our Hispanic students,” explains Dr. Gail Gasparich, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Millersville University.
To become an associate member, you must show that you have at least 10% Hispanic students. Using Fall 2023 data, Millersville’s undergraduate Hispanic enrollment was 10.71%.
Gasparich says joining the association will help promote a sense of community for Millersville University students. “We will be in a community of members focused on Hispanic student success, which benefits all.”
Part of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ mission is to help improve Hispanic students’ access to post-secondary educational opportunities and share resources, information and expertise.
“As the demographics shift in the region, the Hispanic population in the Lancaster region is growing (especially K-12), and these students will be Millersville University students in the near future,” says Gasparich. “We want to belong to an institution that provides support and allows us to better learn about best practices to support the success of these students.”
Gasparich also notes that the association is the only organization that, in their words, “champions Hispanic student success in higher education.” “They provide professional and institution development, conferences, government relations (lobbying on behalf of HACU institutions), student internships through their National Internship Program and student scholarships,” she explains.
One of these student resources includes STEM Summits, which regionally brings STEM majors and employers together to help students prepare for their future careers and connect them to internships. The association also organizes several career readiness programs.
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities also provides professional opportunities for faculty and staff in higher education, including La Academia de Liderazgo (Leadership Academy), a program designed to help culturally diverse educators prepare for executive and senior-level positions.
Being a member opens up some external funding opportunities that Millersville University plans to pursue to enhance best practices on campus.
For more information about HACU, click here.
