FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Release Date: December 11, 2024

STANDARD PRESS RELEASE

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Texas Association for Chicanos in Higher Education

TACHE President: Dra. Gabriela Silvestre

President-Elect: Dr. Eric Castillo

Career and Leadership Development Chair: Dr. Florencio U. Aranda III

TACHE's 2025 Career and Leadership Institute to be Held at Southwestern University 

The Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE) is excited to announce its 50th Annual Conference, set to take place in Georgetown, Texas, from February 26 to March 1, 2025. The conference will begin with the Career and Leadership Development Institute (CLDI), a one-day program designed to empower mid-level professionals and undergraduate students who are passionate about advancing higher education and supporting the Hispanic/Latinx community. The CLDI will be held on February 26, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Southwestern University, Texas’s oldest institution of higher learning and a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

Southwestern University is partnering with TACHE to deliver an institute focused on advancing Latinx leadership. Southwestern faculty and staff will provide attendees with unique insights and skills to help them navigate their career paths and grow professionally, including the university's award winning enter for Career and Professional Development. Additionally, a Human Resources Diversity Consultant from the City of Austin will facilitate sessions throughout the day, offering valuable perspectives on diversity, self-care, and advocacy in the workplace.

This year marks the fifth professional cohort and the second student cohort of the CLDI. The professional cohort will be named in honor of Dr. Jude Valdez, founder of the Institute for Economic Development at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Dr. Valdez, a former two-time TACHE President, dedicated nearly 40 years to UTSA, culminating in his role as Vice President for Community Services, where he significantly advanced the university’s community engagement mission. The student cohort will honor Dr. David A. Ortiz, Southwestern University’s Vice President for Student Success and Belonging, who brings over 30 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member, executive administrator, and a nationally recognized expert on Hispanic Serving Institutions.

About TACHE

TACHE’s mission is to advance educational and professional opportunities for Chicanos in higher education. Through the Career and Leadership Development Institute, TACHE continues to strengthen the pipeline of Latinx leaders, contributing to a more inclusive and representative academic landscape in Texas.