Excelencia in Education Identifies Programs Positively Impacting Latino Students in Higher Education

Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org

Nineteen Programs Earn National Recognition as Examples of Excelencia Finalists for Demonstrating What Works to Advance Latino Student Success

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 15, 2023) – Excelencia in Education announced today the finalists for the 2023 Examples of Excelencia, recognizing 19 programs across the country that intentionally serve Latino students in higher education with culturally relevant, evidence-based practices.

Examples of Excelencia is the only national effort to identify, aggregate, and promote evidence-based practices accelerating Latino student success in higher education. Since 2005, through this effort, Excelencia has received over 2,000 program submissions, recognized over 400 programs for their impact, and raised and awarded over $2 million to these programs to sustain their work.

This year’s finalists demonstrate intentionality and impact in improving degree outcomes for Latino and other post-traditional students. Their efforts can inform institutional leaders and practitioners that are proactively seeking ways to build and sustain practices tailored to their students and their communities.

“We bring national attention to the Examples of Excelencia finalists because they show what is possible when serving Latino students in their higher education journeys,” said Adriana Rodriguez, Vice President for Programs at Excelencia in Education. “Beyond enrollment, these programs implement replicable practices that answer questions of how best to reach Latino students and support them to and through college in today’s landscape.”

The 19 finalists were selected through a robust review process of 103 program submissions representing higher education institutions and community organizations across 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in four categories: associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organizations. They will be featured online in Excelencia’s Growing What Works Database — the only national, searchable database for institutional leaders, funders, policymakers, and others interested in effective programs for Latino students.

On September 28, Excelencia will announce four of the 19 finalists selected as the 2023 Examples of Excelencia at the organization’s annual Celebración de Excelencia in Washington, D.C. The event will convene an audience of higher education leaders, policymakers, and professionals setting the national agenda for Latino student success in higher education.

This year, Excelencia in Education also recognizes eight Programs to Watch from four states. They are up-and-coming programs, have positively impacted the success of their Latino students, and are growing their evidence of effectiveness.

The 2023 Examples of Excelencia finalists are:

ASSOCIATE LEVEL:

• Community Health Worker Program at the Arturo Velasquez Institute at City Colleges of Chicago, Richard J. Daley College – Chicago, IL
• Eagle Promise Program at the Houston Community College System – Houston, TX
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) ESL Embedded Tutoring and Peer Support at Reading Area Community College – Reading, PA
• Engineering Program at Wright at City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College – Chicago, IL
• The Village at Cerritos College – Norwalk, CA

BACCALAUREATE LEVEL:

• Accelerate, Complete, Engage Program at John Jay College, City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice – New York, NY
• CSUN Bridge to the Future Scholars Program at California State University, Northridge – Northridge, CA
• Program for Research Initiatives in Science & Math at City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice – New York, New York
• Spanish Community Translation and Interpreting Program at The University of Texas at Arlington – Arlington, TX

GRADUATE LEVEL:

• Ánimo Latinx Counseling Emphasis at California State University, Fullerton – Fullerton, CA
• Certificate of Biliteracy at Texas Woman’s University – Denton, TX
• Graduate Equity Fellowship Program at California State University, Chico – Chico, CA
• Keep Running With Us at The University of Texas at San Antonio – San Antonio, TX
• The Bridge-to-Math-Doctorate Program in the Department of Mathematics at The University of Texas at Arlington – Arlington, TX

COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS:

• Career & Life Skills at El Próximo Paso/The Next Step PCS – Washington, D.C.
• College and Career Success at Breakthrough Central Texas – Austin, TX
• Emerging Leaders Program at Edu-Futuro – Arlington, VA
• ScholarSHPE at SHPE: Leading Hispanics in STEM – City of Industry, CA
• Scholars Program at New Futures – Washington, D.C.

Learn more about the 2023 finalists for the Examples of Excelencia: https://www.edexcelencia.org/examples-excelencia-finalists

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About Excelencia in Education
Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia has established a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org