Dr. SYLVIA Y. ACOSTA ’10

Named to Prestigious HACU Leadership Academy

DATE: September 26, 2024 - LAS CRUCES, N.M.

Sylvia Y. Acosta ’10, chief executive officer of the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Foundation, is one of 45 distinguished fellows named to the sixth cohort of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo.

The program enhances diverse representation in executive and senior-level roles in higher education. Over the next year, Acosta will participate in an array of activities that hone leadership skills specific to institutions of higher learning, with an emphasis on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

"This experience will provide me with invaluable leadership insights to drive our Foundation forward, tapping into the passions of our donors to create lasting, positive change for our students and NMSU,” said Acosta. “I’m deeply honored to be selected as a La Academia de Liderazgo Fellow, an opportunity that will undoubtedly inspire fresh approaches to shaping a brighter future for New Mexico State as we continue turning students’ dreams into reality."

As New Mexico’s largest land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research, public service, and outreach at all levels, NMSU is an HSI, a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), a NASA Space Grant College, a military and veteran-friendly university, and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. The NMSU Foundation was established in 1959 to support the university in a variety of impactful ways and is now one of the largest foundations in New Mexico, managing more than $426 million in philanthropic assets.

“In just one year as CEO, Dr. Acosta’s impact has been immediate and profound as she and her team led the Foundation to its third-highest fundraising year and strengthened ties with alumni and supporters to secure vital resources that will empower NMSU to continue making lasting impacts on generations of students, faculty, and programs,” said Louis A. Vega ’91, NMSU Foundation board chair and president of Dow North America. “Her selection as an Academy Fellow reflects her talent and professionalism, and we’re fortunate to have her leading us to new heights of success.”

The only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), HACU represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S. Fellows participate in an array of leadership development activities preparing them for leadership roles in the full spectrum of institutions of higher learning, with an emphasis on Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Emerging HSIs.

“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Acosta’s leadership at the NMSU Foundation and to have her as part of our university community,” said NMSU Interim President Mónica Torres. “Her energy and her passion for NMSU’s land-grant mission to serve our state and our diverse student population are unsurpassed. We’re delighted that she has earned this prestigious recognition.”

The Leadership Academy faculty consists of current and former presidents, chancellors, and senior administrators and brings more than 100 years of combined experience in serving various sectors of higher education, including private/public universities, community colleges, and faith-based institutions. Mentorship with a university president or senior-level administrator is a key component, as well as the development of a special project designed to have an impact at the Fellow’s current institution.

More information about the HACU Leadership Academy/La Academia de Liderazgo is available at www.hacu.net/leadershipacademy.

ABOUT THE NMSU FOUNDATION

Established in 1959, the Foundation is a privately governed, non-profit corporation whose purpose is to foster long-term relationships with alumni, supporters, and the community to secure, manage, steward, and protect a sustainable source of private resources that will enhance the ability of New Mexico State University to fulfill its land-grant mission of teaching, research and public service.

ABOUT HACU

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, and Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Association’s headquarters is in San Antonio, Texas, with offices in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, California, and Chicago, Illinois.