Among the array of opportunities to help propel Metro State toward its goal of achieving Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) status, comes a chance to work with colleges and universities from around the country dedicated to Latino higher education success.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) will hold its 22nd annual conference in Denver Oct. 11-13 and has many volunteer opportunities to support the conference.

HACU represents more than 450 colleges and universities committed to Latino higher education success in the United States, Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal. Although HACU’s member institutions in the U.S. represent less than 10 percent of all higher education institutions nationwide, together they are home to more than two-thirds of all Latino college students. HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

As of last week, nearly 700 people had registered to attend the conference. “Denver may break the record for attendance,” said Metro State’s Director of Admissions and Outreach Elena Sandoval-Lucero, who serves on HACU’s Host and Planning Committee for the conference and is a member of Metro State’s HSI Task Force.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase Metro State,” Sandoval-Lucero said. “Our Equal Opportunity Office will be an exhibitor. Several staff members have been accepted to present on our work as part of the HSI Taskforce. And the Office of Admissions is hosting the HACU Youth Leadership Development Forum along with CCD and UCD.

“If you are not involved in one of these activities, you still have the opportunity to participate. HACU is seeking volunteers for various tasks. The benefit of volunteering is that for every hour you volunteer, you may attend the conference for free.”

For the sign-up form, click here: http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/todayatmetro/assets/volunteer_info_form.pdf

To read more about the conference, including a full agenda, go to http://www.hacu.net/.