Profile of AAHHE
The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education
The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) is a national organization that is "dedicated to improving the quality of higher education."
Brief History
AAHHE roots lie in the Hispanic Caucus of the now defunct American Association of Higher Education (AAHE). Several years ago, the board of the Hispanic Caucus of the AAHE voted to create a separate nonprofit corporation that might one day become an autonomous entity. The dissolution of AAHE in May of 2006, and of the Hispanic Caucus with it, served as a catalyst for the true beginning of the AAHHE.
Purpose and Programs
Though the acronym for AAHHE looks unwieldy, it is pronounced simply ah-hee. Or aji, if you prefer. This flavorful word is an apt analogy for an organization that is looking to work together with others to enhance the quality of higher education for Latinos everywhere. To achieve this, AAHHE has two main goals: “to develop Latino/a faculty and senior administrators as well as serve as a leading research and advocacy group for Hispanic higher education issues.” Specifically, AAHHE has:
· Annual Conference: This themed conference is an opportunity for diverse members of academe “to come together to identify issues and suggest practices that can help improve access and success in education” for Latinos, according to AAHHE board member Dr. Estela Lopez. Many of the other programs that AAHHE does are carried out at least partially at the conference.
· Tomás Rivera Lecture: Since 1985, a showcase at the annual AAHE conference was the invited speaker at the Tomás Rivera Lecture. According to its annual report, the Hispanic Caucus would select “a distinguished scholar or prominent national leader” who could address topics of impact to the Latino community and higher education. AAHHE continues to expose large groups of diverse people to such critical messages by carrying on the Tomás Rivera Lecture.
· Hispanic Graduate Student Fellowship: In 1995, the Hispanic Caucus sponsored one Hispanic graduate student to attend the annual AAHE conference. The fellowship program quickly grew, both in size and scope. By 2005, over a dozen students were coming together, not just to attend Hispanic Caucus and AAHE programs and have an opportunity to network, but also to benefit from their own platicas and presentations geared just for ---and by—them. Over one hundred Hispanic graduate students have been sponsored, and many are now in faculty or administrative positions in higher education. The graduate fellowship program was one way the Hispanic Caucus supported creating a pipeline to help encourage today’s students to become tomorrow’s higher education faculty and administrators. AAHHE continues this important mentoring opportunity.
· Young Faculty Development: Despite the success of the graduate fellowship program, the Hispanic Caucus realized that the organization was missing a critical component from the pipeline. In 2004 the Caucus invited former fellows to the conference for the first time. These young faculty members shared their research with the Caucus, their experiences with current fellows, and their desires with senior Caucus members. AAHHE is strengthening and expanding the young faculty development program, with an eye towards recruiting people towards administration.
· Outstanding Latino Higher Education Awards: The Hispanic Caucus started recognizing outstanding individuals who support higher education causes in 1987. These annual awards honored a distinguished administrator, faculty member (research/teaching) at a research institute, and community member whom, while not necessarily an educator, supported Hispanic issues in higher education. Throughout the years, awards were added for faculty (service/teaching) at a teaching institution, and for Latinos who contribute to fine and performing arts and to literary arts and publications. AAHHE continues honoring the Hispanic individuals that stand out in their respective fields.
