04/27/2026
BMCC Conexiones students traveled to Washington, DC, on April 21 for the two-day HACU Capitol Forum organized by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
While in DC, the students learned about the role Hispanic-Serving Institutions play in the educational landscape and the importance of federal investment to their success. On the second day of the event, students went to Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress to speak about the Conexiones program, funded by a $3 million Title V HSI grant, and make the case for increased federal support for HSIs.
Students met with Congressman Adriano Espaillat just off the floor of the Capitol as he took a break from voting duties, as well as staff members from the offices of New York State Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Daniel Goldman, who represents Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.
âWe were thrilled to once again be able to make this trip to DC and for our students to get a better understanding of the legislative process and how they can have a voice in that process,â said Doug Israel, BMCC Director of Government and Community Relations, who accompanied the students, along with Julio Vaca, advisor to the UMLA and Conexiones programs.
The City University of New York
