The National Hispanic University Praised by Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa for "Invaluable Commitment to a High Quality Education"

BALTIMORE, Feb. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Laureate International Universities celebrated the 30th anniversary of its U.S.-based The National Hispanic University (NHU) by awarding the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio R. Villaraigosa, an honorary doctoral degree in the presence of students, parents and members of the community at NHU in San Jose, California.  Presenting the honorary doctorate to Mayor Villaraigosa, NHU president, Dr. David Lopez, told the audience that the university was honoring the mayor for his role "as a champion for greater access to world-class education for Hispanics and other underserved U.S. communities."

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, NHU provides Hispanic students and others with access to quality higher education through 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.

Underscoring the powerful connection NHU has to the global learning community provided by Laureate's international network, over 1,000 students from Universidad Tecnologica de Mexico (UNITEC) and Universidad del Valle de Mexico (UVM) joined the Silicon Valley event via a live webcast of the conferring of the honorary degree, Mayor Villaraigosa's acceptance speech, and the Q&A discussion with NHU students that followed.

Responding to the NHU honor, Mayor Villaraigosa formally recognized the university for its invaluable commitment to providing a high quality education to students and for promoting cultural respect, biliteracy, and diversity.  Presenting NHU's President Lopez with a certificate of commendation on behalf of the people of Los Angeles, Mayor Villaraigosa praised NHU for its dedication to ensure students graduate with the skills and talents required for today's workforce in an environment that promotes success for every student.

Additionally, Dr. Lopez announced that NHU recently received approval to offer online degree programs nationwide. The new fully online Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Teaching and Learning will begin April 30, and on June 25, students can begin the new online Bachelor of Arts in Child Development program.

"There is a need both in California and nationally for educators and professionals who are specialized in supporting the growing Hispanic community," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "The National Hispanic University is committed to helping Hispanic students and other learners pursue a high quality education.   With the launch of its online programs, the university has an opportunity to support the success of learners beyond the San Jose community and to prepare them to meet the needs of multicultural communities."

About Laureate International Universities
Laureate International Universities is a trusted global leader in providing access to high-quality, innovative institutions of higher education. The Laureate International Universities network includes 59 accredited campus-based and online universities. Our more than 675,000 students are part of an academic community that spans 29 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Laureate universities offer hundreds of undergraduate, master's and doctoral degree programs in fields including architecture, art, business, culinary arts, design, education, engineering, health sciences, hospitality management, information technology, law and medicine. President William J. Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, serves as The Honorary Chancellor of the Laureate International Universities network, offering advice on social responsibility, youth leadership and increasing access to higher education. For more information, visit www.laureate.net.

About The National Hispanic University
For 30 years, The National Hispanic University (NHU) has provided Hispanic students and others 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 San Jose, Calif. For more information, visit www.NHU.edu.

SOURCE Laureate International Universities