Community event will honor Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Hispanic University (NHU) will honor Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa during its 30th anniversary celebration event on Friday, Feb. 24. Villaraigosa will be the keynote speaker, addressing students, faculty, alumni and members of the community.

NHU President Dr. David P. Lopez will present the mayor with an honorary doctoral degree in recognition of his commitment to education and for his involvement in improving access to education on behalf of the Hispanic community.

"Mayor Villaraigosa is a reform-minded leader in urban education and a champion for quality education," said Dr. David Lopez, NHU president. "We are honored to have him participate in our 30th anniversary celebration event and to recognize his tireless efforts to improve access to quality education for the Hispanic community."

Villaraigosa, the 41st mayor of Los Angeles, began his career in public service as a labor organizer before serving from 1994–2000 in the California State Assembly and as Assembly Speaker from 1998-2000. He advocated for the advancement of education, healthcare and civil rights.  As mayor, he has been dedicated to reforming the public school system in Los Angeles with the aim of giving every child access to a quality education.

Villaraigosa joins a number of other high-profile visitors to NHU in recent years, including world-renowned musician Carlos Santana; former NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez; Mexican poet and writer Elena Poniatowska; and Luis Valdez, a playwright, filmmaker and director who is often referred to as the father of Chicano theater.

NHU was founded in 1981 by the late Dr. B. Roberto Cruz, who dedicated his life to making educational opportunities available to Hispanics and members of other underrepresented groups. Grounded in cultural respect, NHU fosters a learning environment that reflects the rich heritage and diversity of the Hispanic community.

For additional information about NHU, visit www.NHU.edu.

About The National Hispanic University

For 30 years, The National Hispanic University (NHU) has provided Hispanic students with access to quality higher education. NHU offers a diverse portfolio of undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in business, teacher education, child development and computer science, delivered in a multicultural, collaborative and supportive learning environment. NHU is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The campus is located in California's Silicon Valley. For more information, visit www.NHU.edu.

SOURCE National Hispanic University

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