Welcome to AAHHE! 

The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) is an agent of change for improving education, thus enabling Hispanic students to fully participate in a diverse society. AAHHE works collaboratively with all sectors of education, business, industry, as well as community and professional organizations to enhance the educational aspirations and to meet the needs of a significantly increasing Hispanic population.

We've Updated our Address!

Please note that AAHHE's address has changed to 2455 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Suite 816, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304. Moving forward, please send any materials, payments, or other inquiries to this new address so we can continue to serve you.

AAHHE Announces Appointment of 2023 Chair and Chair-elect and Four new BOD Members

August 22, 2023
The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) is beginning its nineteenth year as the premier national association representing Latinx faculty, administrators, students and professionals in higher education. AAHHE is proud to announce the appointments of:

• Dr. Azara Santiago Rivera as Chair of the Board of Directors and as Dr. Cristobal Rodriguez as Chair-elect for the year 2023 – 2024.
• Four new members to the Board of Directors were appointed:
• Naomi Ramirez, MA, Graduate Student Member-at-Large, July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025, PhD, Department of Education (in progress), San Diego State University and Claremont Graduate University
• Antonio Duran, PhD, Early Career Member-at-Large, July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026, Assistant Professor, Higher and Postsecondary Education, Division of Educational Leadership and Innovation, Arizona State University
• Marissa Vasquez, EdD, Faculty/Administrator Member-at-Large, July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026, Associate Professor, Community College Leadership and Postsecondary Educational Leadership, San Diego State University
• Mary Ann Villareal, PhD, Member of the Board of Directors, July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026, Vice President, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, University of Utah

The addition of members to the Board of Directors brings the total number of AAHHE Board members to twenty. Collectively, the new Directors bring deep experience and understanding of educational leadership, teaching, policy, community engagement, diversity, Latinx studies, and social sciences.

Statement from the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education on the SCOTUS Decision on Race-Conscious College Admissions 

June 29, 2023

The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) denounces the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on June 29, 2023 against race-conscious college admissions effectively ending affirmative action. In a 6-3 ruling in the North Carolina case and a 6-2 ruling in the Harvard case, the Supreme Court found it unconstitutional to consider race broadly in university and college admissions. Given the current makeup of this Supreme Court, their ruling was sadly expected. However, this decision does uphold a higher standard set by the Grutter case that allows students to continue to express their racialized experiences in their admissions and scholarship materials, as well as allows institutions of higher education to consider such experiences among other criteria in alignment to their missions. The Supreme Court’s action today is another example of how power and privilege essentially erases the gains and efforts made to promote equal opportunity over the last 59 years, but it is also a reminder that our work for equal opportunity, access, equality and democracy must continue. 

As the days and weeks unfold, we should observe and be ready to address how policymakers and institutional leaders respond to this decision. We urge AAHHE members to reaffirm their commitment to diverse and inclusive learning environments, and to embrace core values of equity and justice for all, regardless of legal constraints. As members of the higher education community, we must remain vigilant, ready to mobilize and address the impact of this decision on racialized groups. More than ever, we must recommit to ensuring justice, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

The majority vote by the Supreme Court reflects their view that despite overriding legal precedent and evidence, they can declare that we are now in a race-neutral environment. While this may be so legally, it ignores racism and inequities that are experienced daily in this nation and throughout the education system.

We encourage each of you to lean into the AAHHE familia where we can gather, heal, and support each other through la lucha. 

Save the Date ~ 2024 AAHHE Conference