HACU partners with CCA to host Youth Leadership Development Forum

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, in partnership with Community College of Aurora in Colorado, hosted a Youth Leadership Development Forum on Oct. 30, 2025. The YLDF brought together nearly 200 students from Denver, Aurora, Commerce City, and surrounding areas of Eastern and Northern Colorado. Students were welcomed by Reyna Anaya, Ph.D. vice president of student success, CCA; John Moder, Ph.D., HACU's Interim CEO; and Mordecai I. Brownlee, Ph.D., president of CCA.

The YLDF is offered as pre-conference event of HACU's Annual Conference. Students 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 goal is to inspire Colorado's youth to complete high school and continue their studies in higher education.

This year's activities focused on engineering, with CCA faculty teaching students about the mechanics of a catapult and how towers are constructed during two concurrent sessions. The forum included a panel of Hispanic STEM students and alumni from CCA working towards degrees in biology, science and mechanical engineering.