HACU’s 15th International Conference kicks off with Welcome Ceremony and Plenary Session

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities kicked off its 15th International Conference with a welcome ceremony and opening address from HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores on May 4, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. Additional remarks were provided by Consul General of Mexico in San Antonio Rubén Minutti Zanatta, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, and Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara President Antonio Leaño Reyes. More than 130 participants attended the opening of the biennial conference.

Following the ceremony, a plenary session "A Cross-Institutional Alliance to Scale International Experiential Learning" was held, followed by a Q&A session. Panelists discussed how their institutions design and scale study abroad, study away, and other immersive learning experiences that advance student success, workforce readiness, collaboration across institutions and institutional mission.

The session was moderated by Veronica Garcia, Ph.D., president, Northeast Lakeview College. Speakers for the session included Thomas M. Evans, Ph.D., president of the University of the Incarnate Word and Gilberto J. Marxuach Torrós, J.D., president of Universidad Del Sagrado Corazón.

Special thanks to The Alamo Colleges District, the title sponsor of the 15th International Conference, and all event partners for their support.

Additional photos from the event can be viewed here.