Examples of Excelencia

Examples of Excelencia is the only national effort to identify and promote evidence-based practices that help accelerate Latino student success in higher education.

Through a comprehensive year-long process, Excelencia in Education recruits, reviews, and promotes evidence-based practices at the associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organization categories.

Since 2005, Excelencia has recognized over 300 programs for their efforts in advancing Latino student success and awarded $1.92 million to programs making a difference for Latino students.

Frequently Asked Questions about Examples of Excelencia

Why should I submit a program profile?

Receive national recognition for the work you are doing that is making a difference. Since 2005, Excelencia has brought attention to more than 300 programs that are part of a committed network for Latino student success. Programs with a proven record of accelerating Latino student success have the opportunity to join a national community of leaders intentionally focused on increasing Latino student success.

How does the selection process work?

Once our profile submission period closes, Excelencia staff will review program profiles to select a set of finalists in each of four categories: associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organizations. The list of finalists is forwarded to an external committee for final review. This committee selects one Example of Excelencia per category.

Once our profile submission period closes, Excelencia staff will review program profiles to select a set of finalists in each of four categories: associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organizations. The list of finalists is forwarded to an external committee for final review. This committee selects one Example of Excelencia per category.

When do we find out the results of the selection process?

Finalists are publicly announced in August. The four Examples of Excelencia selected for 2020 will be publicly announced at Celebración de Excelencia held in Washington, D.C. on October 1st, 2020. 


If your program is selected as an Examples of Excelencia Finalist, you will be personally notified in June. If your program is selected as an Example of Excelencia, you will be personally notified in August. 

What do the 4 programs selected as Examples of Excelencia receive?

Programs selected as Examples of Excelencia in 2020 will receive:

• National recognition at our annual Celebración de Excelencia.
• Digital badge of recognition.
• Feature in our annual “What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education” Compendium.
• Complimentary enrollment in our Excelencia in Action network, a national network of leaders engaged in sustained dialogue on strategies and practices that accelerate Latino student success in higher education.
• Feature in our Growing What Works Database, an online searchable database for institutional leaders, funders, policymakers and others interested in evidence-based practices accelerating Latino student success in higher education.
• Opportunity to have their story shared with their member of Congress.
• Potential features in future Excelencia in Education publications, webinars, social media campaigns, and other material shared with our national constituency.

What is Excelencia’s commitment to those that complete a program profile?

Excelencia is committed to working in partnership with others to learn about programs across the country and their effectiveness in accelerating Latino student success. Our dedicated program team is available for questions at Examples@EdExcelencia.org.

What are the types of programs that have been selected for Examples of Excelencia in the past?

You may view all previously recognized Examples of Excelencia that are housed in our Growing What Works database. View last year’s 2019 Examples of Excelencia, Examples of Excelencia Finalists, and Programs to Watch to learn more.

For questions contact:
Jessie Hernández-Reyes, Institutional Practices Program Manager
202-785-7350 x1103