This bill mandates the Secretary of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, to create programs aimed at enhancing Hispanic and Latino representation in leadership roles within public institutions of higher education in New Jersey. Key initiatives include establishing a targeted leadership development program for Hispanic and Latino faculty, developing pathways for Hispanic and Latino undergraduate students into academic careers, and implementing strategies to improve the recruitment and retention of Hispanic and Latino faculty and staff in leadership positions. The bill emphasizes the importance of mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities tailored to these groups.

Additionally, the bill requires each public institution to adopt policies that ensure diverse representation on search committees for senior administration roles, reflecting the demographics of the student body and the state. Institutions must also implement programs to bolster the recruitment and retention of Hispanic and Latino individuals in leadership positions and submit annual diversity reports to the Secretary of Higher Education. These reports will detail the racial and gender composition of leadership roles and evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented diversity programs. The Secretary is tasked with compiling these reports and providing a summary to the Governor and the Legislature annually.