Since 1993, the Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS) has worked to expand the educational opportunities and access to higher education for the Hispanic community. Back then, HETS was the first bilingual telecommunications consortium of colleges and universities focused on widening Hispanics’ access to higher education and training opportunities through educational telecommunications and distance learning. Today, it serves more than 40 higher education institutions in Hispanic and fast-growing Hispanic communities by promoting, supporting, and increasing their capabilities to enhance Hispanic/Latino student access, retention, and success in Higher Education through the strategic integration of technology. HETS support and value has been widely known among its members for more than 25 years.
As part of its strategic plan, HETS has created an overall roadmap, but its work has been increasingly relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. HETS has continued to enhance its services throughout this crisis to provide ongoing support to the academic community in this new scenario. Over the past ten months, HETS has produced and offered more than 20 tutorials in Spanish and Englishwith Student Ambassadors on how to access free services at the Student Placita in the HETS Virtual Plaza; and on Student Leadership Showcase Online Toursto reinforce student leadership skills. We also held ten webinars in Spanish and four webinars in English on Distance Learning to support faculty and administrators with remote teaching-learning. It also launched the Spring Issue, Volume X of its peer review HETS Online Journal with articles that offer insights and suggestions pertinent to the current environment.
I invite you to explore the HETS website where you can become familiar with our strategic plan, learn about HETS services, and examine our multiple initiatives aimed at fostering greater collaboration among all our affiliates. One of the biggest challenges we face today is to help our members expand the number and quality of technology-based educational opportunities. To achieve this goal and aid in securing prosperity for all Hispanic/Latinos, we must out-innovate and out-educate our competitors. As a result of the pandemic, I visualize HETS present and future most crucial than ever, as a pioneer organization in the use of technology in higher education with enormous expertise and services ready to use.
As Chair of the Board of Directors, I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to sustaining the momentum created by the past outstanding leaders of HETS to fulfill its mission and achieve its vision. I invite you to learn more about HETS and to consider becoming part of this strategic alliance. Moreover, I asked other institutions to benefit from HETS as a unique organization that fosters Hispanic/Latino student success in Higher Education through the strategic integration of technology.
Dr. Carlos R. Morales
Chair, HETS Board of Directors
President, TCC Connect Campus
Tarrant County College