2026 Excelencia in Action 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 in Education

Excelencia in Action (E-Action) is a network of more than 141 postsecondary leaders from 25 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico committed to a collective goal with Excelencia in Education of Ensuring America’s Future by making our country stronger with the talents, skills, and contributions of Latino, and all, college graduates.

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Which Institutions Are in the E-Action Network?

The E-Action network represents a coalition of colleges and universities across the country that are transforming to become places where Latino, and all, students thrive. Currently, most institutions in the network are:

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). About 82% are HSIs, 11% are Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), 8% are neither.
Public institutions. Over 84% are public institutions, and the others (16%) are private 4-year institutions.
In the South and West regions. Almost two-third are in the South (22%) and West (45%).
Working to be Seal of Excelencia certified. 45 are nationally certified for intentionally serving Latinos, and all.

What Distinguishes the E-Action Network From Other Institutions?

Institutions in the E-Action network are focused on advancing success for Latino and other low-income and first-generation students amongst all served. Comparing the E-Action network to all institutions:

Retention rates are higher. About 79% of full-time and 47% of part-time students were retained, compared to 78% and 45%, respectively, at all institutions.
Latino faculty representation is twice as high.
Students are more likely to receive Pell Grants and less likely to receive federal student loans or total grant aid.

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How Does the E-Action Network Accelerate Latino Student Success While Increasing All Student Success?

Colleges and universities in the E-Action network lead the nation in enrolling and graduating Latino students:

Three of the top five institutions enrolling Latinos nationally are E-Action network affiliates.
Three of the top five institutions awarding associate degrees and four of the top five institutions awarding baccalaureate degrees to Latinos nationally are E-Action network affiliates.
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, and All, Students?

The Seal of Excelencia is a national certification for colleges and universities demonstrating positive momentum and intentionality in SERVING Latino, and all, students. The certification is valid for three years. As of March 2026, 45 institutions have earned the Seal of Excelencia. Of these, eight institutions from the 2019 inaugural cohort have been recertified twice and are now Intentionally Thriving Institutions demonstrating intentionality and impact for their students beyond completion by preparing and connecting them to the workforce. These institutions are continuing their journey to innovate policies and practices to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students.

The Seal-certified institutions are located in 11 states. Two states enroll 1 in 3 Latino undergraduates, three states enroll 1 in 4, two states enroll 1 in 8, and a significant concentration are in the other four states.

Among Seal-certified institutions:

Undergraduates have higher retention rates than students at all institutions. About 81% of full-time and 52% of part-time students were retained, compared to 78% and 45%, respectively, at all institutions.
Undergraduates are more likely to receive Pell Grants and less likely to receive federal student loans. About 44% of students received Pell Grants compared to 35% nationally, 22% received federal student loans compared to 30% nationally.
Latino faculty representation is almost three times higher than at all institutions.
Latinos’ degree outcomes are better than those at all institutions.

How Do Institutions in the E-Action Network Benefit from Partnering with Excelencia?

Once institutions join the E-Action network, they have prioritized access to a range of opportunities and tools that equip them to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students on their campuses while serving all:

Capacity Building Institutes. Excelencia gives priority for participation in our Capacity Building Institutes to institutions in the E-Action 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, and all, student success made by institutions in the network extends to their participation in Excelencia’s research, which informs higher education policy, promotes evidence-based practices, and compels action that accelerates Latino student success while increasing all student success.
Policy Forums. Excelencia engages institutional leaders in the E-Action network in frank discussions about the issues impacting Latino students, empowering them to set the national agenda for Latino, and all, student success in higher education.
Promotion on a National Stage. Excelencia celebrates Latino, and all, students and graduates from institutions in the E-Action network year round, and we promote the colleges and universities whose intentionality supported these students to progress their journeys.

To join the E-Action network, please contact: E-Action@EdExcelencia.org.