ABQ Times

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has announced the participants for its Enlace Mid-Level Leadership Program and ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute. Among those selected are two staff members and ten students from The University of New Mexico (UNM).

UNM staff members Donna Lopez and Brandi Stone will take part in the Mid-Level Leadership Program, which aims to prepare Latino/Latina talent for leadership roles within higher education. This six-month program involves seminars and a webinar covering topics such as Academic Affairs Management, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Global Affairs.

Donna Lopez, project manager for DEI Programs in the Division for Equity and Inclusion at UNM, highlighted the program's alignment with UNM's mission. "I think that the Enlace Mid-level Leadership Program does provide very diverse programming that aligns perfectly with UNM's mission to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment," said Lopez. She expressed gratitude to President Stokes and Vice President Assata Zerai for their support.

Brandi Stone, director of African American Student Services at UNM, emphasized the program’s role in enhancing UNM's commitment to inclusion. "This leadership academy creates an opportunity for our university to affirm the commitments we have made to promoting DEI," said Stone.

The program began with a webinar in September, followed by an in-person session on October 31 before HACU’s Annual Conference in Aurora, Colorado. It will conclude next spring at HACU’s Annual Capitol Forum in Washington D.C.

In addition to staff participation, ten UNM students will attend HACU's ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute—a three-day symposium aimed at building career and leadership skills among undergraduates. Over 700 students from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico will participate in various activities designed to enhance their professional development.

The selected students from UNM are Monice Aguilar, Julian Angel, Reiana Ayers, Rylee Brachle, Zandria Ellis, Gabriella Gonzales, Mariel Leon-Lazcano, Rosa Loya Ozaeta, Jazmin Rodriguez Lopez, and Esperanza Wells.

"We are so proud of our undergraduate students whose excellence shines through every day," said Vice President for Equity and Inclusion. The ¡Adelante! Leadership Institute is scheduled alongside HACU’s 38th Annual Conference from November 1-3 in Aurora.

For further details about these programs visit their respective websites.