Oct. 22, 2025
Aurora, CO – Next Thursday on Oct. 30, the Community College of Aurora (CCA) opens its doors to about 200 middle school students for the Youth Leadership Development Forum (YLDF). The forum is the first event in the 39th Annual Conference for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Students will participate in hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), while exploring how these fields can shape their future studies and career paths.
The forum invites hundreds of middle school students from Denver, Aurora, Commerce City, and surrounding areas of Eastern and Northern Colorado. This year’s hand-on activities focus on engineering, with CCA faculty teaching students about the mechanics of a catapult and how towers are constructed. The goal is to inspire Colorado’s youth to complete high school and continue their studies in higher education. The forum includes a panel of Hispanic STEM students and alumni from CCA who live and learn by example.
CCA Vice President of Student Success, Dra. Reyna Anaya, is proud to welcome the forum to CCA’s CentreTech campus. “CCA is dedicated to creating pathways that inspire and empower the next generation of innovators,” Dra. Anaya said. “As Colorado’s most racially and ethnically diverse college and a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution, CCA is dedicated to creating pathways that inspire and empower the next generation of innovators. This Forum, set against the backdrop of our new Center for Applied Science and Technology, reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing social and economic mobility through education, leadership, and opportunity.”
A Partnership That Reflects CCA Students
As a member of HACU, CCA is dedicated to advancing higher education access and success for their Hispanic/Latinx identifying students and all students. 37% of CCA’s full-time student population at CCA identifies as Hispanic/Latinx, earning the college its federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. This designation makes CCA eligible to receive federal grant funding to assist with strengthening institutional programs, facilities, and services aimed at expanding educational opportunities for students who self-identify as Hispanic and all students.
“HACU’s Youth Leadership Development Forum has been an essential part of the Association’s Annual Conference, and is an excellent way for middle students to participate in active and engaging STEM activities,” said HACU Interim Chief Executive Officer John Moder. “The students learn about the academic and career pathways in STEM through hands-on sessions, and see the possibilities of a future in the sciences. They also get a glimpse of what it’s like to be a college student by spending this time on the campus of the Community College of Aurora.”
CCA has been a member of HACU for years, but this is CCA’s first time hosting the Youth Development Leadership Forum. Being a member college means that HACU programs and services are available to CCA students and faculty. Aside from the upcoming Youth Leadership Development Forum, CCA staff are also currently involved in planning and facilitating the HACU Women’s Leadership Symposium and the HACU Colorado Higher Education Convening.
CCA staff and faculty that individually engage with HACU include President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee, who currently serves as a member of HACU’s board of directors. Andrea Rascón was also recently admitted to HACU’s Enlace Mid-Level Leadership program. CCA’s Vice President of Student Success, Dra. Reyna Anaya, completed HACU’s Academia de Liderazgo program earlier this year.
About the Community College of Aurora
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora, Centennial, and Denver, Colorado. With a vision to aspire to be a college where every student succeeds, CCA is the most diverse college in the State of Colorado. Focused on creating social and economic mobility for its students, the college offers courses on three campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent enrollment programs. For more information, visit www.ccaurora.edu.
About the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU programs and services are available to all students, faculty, and staff at HACU-member institutions The Association’s headquarters are in San Antonio, Texas, with offices in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, California and Chicago, Illinois. For more information, visit www.hacu.net.
Contact:
Courtney Butler
Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement