Chancellor Joe Garcia was formally inducted into the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Hall of Champions on October 26, 2020, honoring his career-long commitment to advancing equitable outcomes in education and the workforce for Hispanic students and those who face “invisible challenges.”

Founded in 1986, HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). HACU established the Hall of Champions in 2011 to honor those who “embody the mission of the Association through exemplary efforts ‘To Champion Hispanic Success in Higher Education.’” Chancellor Garcia will be joining 15 others on this distinguished list of leaders.

Before arriving as the Chancellor of CCCS, Joe Garcia served in a variety of leadership positions including president of both a community college and a university, head of the state department of higher education, Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, and head of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE). In each position, he advocated for Hispanics and people of color as he continues to do as Chancellor of the Colorado Community College System.

Over the last two years, Chancellor Garcia has not slowed his efforts. In this short time, he has done much to ensure equitable outcomes for all CCCS students. Those efforts include:

• Prioritizing closing educational equity gaps across CCCS institutions. This meant a significant change in mindset from executive-level staff and Presidents to instructors and college employees on the front lines who engage most with students.
• Signing the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion pledge, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. Chancellor Garcia encouraged all CCCS college presidents to sign the pledge as well, to take action to cultivate environments where diverse experiences and perspectives are welcomed.
• Creating the Equity and Inclusion Council to serve as an advisory board to system and college leadership, working collaboratively to support and set system-wide standards for inclusive excellence, closing the equity gap for students, diversifying the system and college workforce through inclusive hiring practices, and improving the retention of underrepresented employees.

We are so proud of our Chancellor and his achievements and are excited for his continued leadership.