HACU holds California Policy Roundtable at UCLA

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and UCLA's Latino Policy and Politics Institute hosted a California Policy Roundtable, September 5, 2025, at UCLA. The Roundtable brought together leaders and supporters of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to discuss HACU's policy agenda for the state, including a California HSI designation and workforce development. The roundtable provided a platform for dialogue with higher education leaders and community advocates to discuss and receive feedback on HACU's 2026 state policy priorities.

"HSIs are producing the high-skilled talent that powers this state's industries-from healthcare and education to engineering, technology, and beyond. And yet, as California continues to face shortages in nursing, engineering, and other STEM fields, our collective work to strengthen the student pipeline has never been more urgent," said HACU Interim Chief Executive Officer David Mendez during opening remarks. "In today's evolving federal landscape, it is vital that we also underscore the return on investment that HSIs bring to states like California."

The roundtable will feature presentations on the growth of HSIs in California, demographic trends in relation to workforce needs, and policy priorities. The roundtable includes a panel featuring Amada Armenta, Ph.D., faculty director, UCLA LPPI, and associate professor of urban planning, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affair; Sylvia Hurtado, Ph.D., distinguished professor and special advisor to the UCLA chancellor; David Gamboa, assistant vice president of external relations, California State University, Dominguez Hills; Anne-Marie Nuñez, Ph.D., distinguished centennial professor and executive director of the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic Student Success; Andrew Martinez, senior director of government relations, Community College League of California; and Noemi Lujan Perez, director of state government relations, HACU Western Regional Office.

The panel discussed workforce development and the role HSIs play in shaping California's future talent pipeline, unique challenges and opportunities for these schools in serving students, federal and state policies and funding mechanisms to strengthen HSI workforce development capacities, and workforce development priorities.