SLU-Madrid Joins Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

by Isaiah Voss

The U.S.-based Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has granted Saint Louis University's Madrid Campus membership for its commitment to the academic success of Hispanic students.

The Madrid Campus is a proud International Member Institution of HACU, the only educational organization representing Hispanic-serving institutions in the United States.

SLU-Madrid now represents one of nearly 600 member institutions located across the U.S., Latin America and Spain.

HACU's recognition comes amid SLU-Madrid's coined "transition period." Interim co-directors Francisco García-Serrano, Ph.D., Laurie Mazzuca, Ph.D. and Victoria "Viki" Villarreal, MBA, finalized HACU membership during the Fall 2023 academic term.

Spanish and U.S. flags frame an image of graduates and sitting in an auditorium wearing caps and gowns and their families.

Spanish and American flags displayed at the May 2023 Commencement Ceremony. Photo by Fernando Béjar.

About 25% of SLU-Madrid's degree-seeking students are Hispanic or Latino, according to self-reported data. Many American students grew up speaking Spanish at home.

Non-U.S. citizen Hispanic students are from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Spain.

Membership benefits include potential grants, advocacy on behalf of Hispanic education, access to webinars and HACU's faculty and staff development resources.

SLU-Madrid's interim executive leadership is working with HACU to extend membership to the University's St. Louis campus.