2024 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 206 postsecondary leaders from 27 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 college graduates.
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 75% are HSIs, 14% are Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), 11% are neither.
-
Public institutions. Over 83% are public institutions, and the others are private 4-year institutions.
-
In the West and South regions. About three-quarters are in the South (32%) and West (38%).
-
Working to be Seal of Excelencia certified. 46 are nationally certified for intentionally serving Latinos (Sept 2024).
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. Comparing the E-Action network to all institutions:
-
Retention rates are higher. About 78% of full-time, and 47% of part-time students were retained, compared to 77% of full-time, and 44% of part-time students at all institutions.
-
Latino faculty representation is about twice as high. Latinos represent 12% of faculty compared to only 7% 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 31% nationally; and 77% received total grant aid, compared to 80% nationally.
How Does the E-Action Network Accelerate Latino Student Success?
Colleges and universities in the E-Action network lead the nation in enrolling and graduating Latino students:
-
Four of the top five institutions enrolling Latinos nationally are E-Action network affiliates.
-
Four of the top five institutions awarding associate degrees and all of the top five institutions awarding baccalaureate degrees to Latinos nationally are E-Action network affiliates.
-
All 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 students. The certification is valid for three years. As of September 2024, 46 institutions have earned the Seal of Excelencia. Of these, 23 have been recertified and are continuing their journey to innovate policies and practices to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students.
Among Seal-certified institutions:
-
Undergraduates have higher retention rates than students at all institutions. About 81% of full-time, and 51% of part-time students were retained, compared to 77% and 44% at all institutions.
-
Undergraduates are more likely to receive Pell Grants and less likely to receive federal student loans and total grant aid. About 44% of students received Pell Grants, compared to 36% nationally; 25% received federal student loans, compared to 31% nationally; and 76% received total grant aid, compared to 80% nationally.
-
Latino faculty representation is almost three times higher than that at all institutions. Latinos represent 17% of faculty, compared to 7% at all institutions.
-
Latinos’ degree outcomes are better than those at all institutions. Latinos have higher graduation rates (58%) than Latinos nationally (54%), and are less likely to no longer be enrolled (26% vs. 29%).
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 students on their campuses while serving all:
-
Technical Assistance Institutes. Excelencia gives priority for participation in our Technical Assistance 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 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.
-
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 student success in higher education.
-
Promotion on a National Stage. Excelencia celebrates Latino 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.