2023 Presidents for Latino Student Success Profile Higher education leaders with skills and vision are fundamental to our country’s strong recovery. Those prepared to engage and intentionally serve Latino students, while serving all their students, will lead the way Sarita Brown, Co-founder and President of Excelencia Our national network of Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS) comprises more than 165 higher education leaders from 29 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. All have committed to the collective goal of Ensuring America’s Future, working in common cause with Excelencia in Education to make our country stronger with the talents, skills, and contributions of Latino college graduates. Which Institutions Are in the P4LSS Network? The P4LSS network represents a coalition of colleges and universities across the country that are transforming to become places where Latino students thrive. Currently, most institutions in the network are: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). About 75% are HSIs, 13% are Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), 12% are neither. Public institutions. Over 80% are public 2- and 4-year institutions, and the others are private 4-year. In the West and South regions. About three-quarters are in the South (38%) and West (36%). In addition, 30 institutions have earned the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification for intentionally serving Latinos, as of June 2023. What Distinguishes the P4LSS Network From Other Institutions? Institutions in the P4LSS network are focused on advancing success for Latino and other low-income and first-generation students: Retention rates are higher. About 78% of full-time and 47% of part-time students were retained, compared to 76% of full-time and 43% of part-time students at all institutions. Latino faculty representation is twice as high. Latinos represent 12% of faculty, compared to only 6% at all institutions. Students are more likely to receive Pell Grants, and less likely to receive federal student loans and total grant aid. About 40% of students received Pell Grants, compared to 36% of students nationally; 26% received federal loans, compared to 33% nationally; and 69% received total grant aid, compared to 75% nationally. How Does the P4LSS Network Accelerate Latino Student Success? Colleges and universities in the P4LSS network lead the nation in enrolling and graduating Latino students: Four of the top five institutions enrolling Latinos nationally are P4LSS affiliates. All of the top five institutions awarding associate and baccalaureate degrees to Latinos nationally are affiliated with the P4LSS network. Four of the top five institutions awarding baccalaureate degrees to Latinos have also earned the Seal of Excelencia. How Do Seal of Excelencia-certified Institutions Intentionally Serve Latino Students? The Seal of Excelencia is a national certification that recognizes colleges and universities demonstrating positive momentum for student outcomes and intentionality in serving Latino students. Thirty institutions have earned the Seal of Excelencia as of June 2023. All nine institutions from the inaugural 2019 cohort of Seal-certified institutions were recertified in 2022 and have continued their transformation journey. Among Seal-certified institutions: Undergraduates have higher retention rates than students at all institutions. About 83% of full-time and 52% of part-time students were retained, compared to 76% and 43% at all institutions. Undergraduates are more likely to receive Pell Grants and less likely to receive federal student loans and total grant aid. About 42% of students received Pell Grants, compared to 36% nationally; 28% received federal student loans, compared to 33% nationally; and 71% received total grant aid, compared to 75% nationally. Latino faculty representation is almost three times higher than that at all institutions. Latinos represent 17% of faculty, compared to 6% at all institutions. Latinos’ degree outcomes are better than those at all institutions. Latinos have higher graduation rates (51%) than Latinos nationally (44%), are less likely to transfer or still be enrolled (18% vs. 20%), and are less likely to no longer be enrolled (30% vs. 36%). How Do Institutions in the P4LSS Network Benefit from Partnering with Excelencia? Once institutions join the P4LSS network, they have prioritized access to a range of opportunities and tools that equip them to more intentionally serve Latino students on their campuses while serving all: Technical Assistance Institutes. Excelencia gives priority for participation in our Technical Assistance Institutes to institutions in the P4LSS network. The Institutes meet institutions where they are on their transformation journey to support and reinforce capacity to intentionally serve. Research Opportunities. The commitment to Latino student success made by institutions in the network extends to their participation in Excelencia’s research, which informs higher education policy, promotes evidence-based, and compels action that accelerates Latino student success. Policy Forums. Excelencia engages institutional leaders in the P4LSS network in frank discussions about the issues impacting Latino students, empowering them to set the national agenda for Latino student success in higher education. Promotion on a National Stage. Excelencia celebrates Latino students and graduates from institutions in the P4LSS network year round, and we promote the colleges and universities whose intentionality supported these students to progress their journeys. To join the P4LSS network, please contact: E-Action@EdExcelencia.org Download Resources 2023 Presidents for Latino Student Success Profile
