Excelencia in the News

Katie Mangan talked to Deborah Santiago, CEO and Co-founder of Excelencia in Education, about one of the most troubling flips in the college-enrollment scene: the decline in Latino/a students, a population many see as key to higher education’s future.

Experts worry that the drop in Latinos enrolling in college could erode years of higher education gains.

College enrollment across the United States has been on the decline for years but in the past two decades, more Latino students have been going to college. Now, the coronavirus pandemic is forcing many of them to decide between staying in school and working to help their families survive the economic recession caused by Covid-19.

Focused on advancing equity for Latinx students as well the future of Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) post-COVID-19, more than 1,000 higher education and organizational leaders virtually convened last week as part of Excelencia in Education’s Accelerating Latino Student Success (ALASS) Institute.

Excelencia in Education recognized four evidence-based programs from across the country as the 2020 Examples of Excelencia. Among the honorees was the Latinx Leadership Initiative (LLI) at Boston College School of Social Work (Chestnut Hill, MA).

Excelencia gives the seal to colleges and universities that can demonstrate the effectiveness of practices serving Latinx students, show positive momentum for Latinx students using data, commit to transforming their institution to help Latinx students thrive and use strategic leadership to articulate a focus on Latinx student success.

Excelencia in Education, a Washington, D.C.,-based nonprofit, awarded its Seal of Excelencia to UTSA and four other schools at a virtual ceremony. The certification goes to higher education institutions that place great care and intention into serving their Latino students.

While the traditional student profile represents less than 20 percent of students, too often it is the dominant profile when discussing higher education. In comparison, the post-traditional student is the majority and more likely to enroll in a two-year college, delay enrollment, be older, need academic support, work 30 hours or more while enrolled, live off campus, be Latino or another student of color, serve as caretaker for children or other family members, be very worried about debt (that influences college plans) and struggle with having the time and finances to complete a degree.

Amid growing evidence the pandemic and recession are worsening equity gaps , Excelencia in Education last month released an analysis on Latino representation in higher education, as well as on degree attainment and completion rates.

Excelencia in Education works to address structural inequities and systemic racism from an educational lens.