Early Bird

MSU Denver earns national award for commitment to Latinx/Hispanic students

The University has been named the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ Outstanding HACU-Member Institution.

By Lindsey Coulter

August 23, 2021

Metropolitan State University of Denver has been named the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ Outstanding HACU-Member Institution for 2021. The national award recognizes and honors extraordinary support of HACU’s mission and MSU Denver’s important contributions to the educational success of underserved populations, particularly Latinx/Hispanic students.

Part of HACU’s mission is to improve access to and the quality of postsecondary educational opportunities for Latinx/Hispanic students as well as meeting the needs of business, industry and government through the development and sharing of resources and expertise. For 34 years, MSU Denver has been a supportive member of HACU, and accessibility, diversity and inclusion have been core tenets of the University’s mission since its inception. The University has hosted the HACU Emerging Leaders Summit, University staff members have attended the organization’s annual Capitol Forum, and MSU Denver students have participated in HACU scholarship and internship programs. In addition to the award, MSU Denver is hosting HACU’s annual Youth Leadership Development Forum, which will take place virtually Oct. 22.

“MSU Denver has been an educational leader for the Latinx/Hispanic community dating back to the early 2000s when former University President Stephen Jordan made a decision to commit to becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution and serving the growing Latinx/Hispanic population in the Denver and broader metro areas,” said Michael Benitez, Ph.D., vice president for Diversity and Inclusion. “Our diverse representation of faculty and staff, along with the many culturally responsive programs and support services MSU Denver offers, makes us the ideal institution for Latinx/Hispanic students from all walks of life to find success.”

President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., and other senior leaders will accept the award Oct. 27 during HACU’s virtual 35th annual conference, attended by leaders of HACU-member institutions, faculty and staff members, students, civic leaders, corporate representatives and others dedicated to the educational success of Latinx/Hispanic students. The theme of this year’s conference, hosted Oct. 25-27, is “35 Years of Championing Hispanic Higher Education Success.”