2017 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education

Through Examples of Excelencia, Excelencia in Education recognizes programs that accelerate Latino student success in four categories: the Associate, Baccalaureate, Graduate levels as well as Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Over the 12 years of Examples, Excelencia has recognized many evidence-based programs increasing Latino student success.

In 2017 we received over 160 nominations from 25 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico and recognized 19 finalists. An external selection committee then selected four programs, one program per category, as the 2017 Examples of Excelencia.

All finalists are included in our annual compendium “What Works for Latino Student Success in Higher Education.” The compendium contains short program summaries of the four Examples of Excelencia and the 15 finalist programs making a positive impact on the educational achievement of Latino students through evidence-based practices. More information about these outstanding programs, as well as those selected as finalists in each category, are included in this compendium.

Excelencia’s purpose in sharing what works is to prompt educators and policymakers to take an asset-based approach to serving Latino students and inspire these decision makers to work to increase Latino student success by supporting, replicating, and bringing to scale evidence-based practices that intentionally include Latino students in their success.

2017 Examples of Excelencia: