Presidential Perspectives: The Seal of Excelencia Leading Higher Education Transformation to SERVE Latinos What does the Seal stand for among higher education leaders? The presidents and chancellors of the trendsetting colleges and universities certified with the Seal of Excelencia have taken responsibility for advancing Latino student success, and they are ensuring America’s bright future. Each looks beyond enrollment to establish and implement strategies and practices that truly SERVE Latino students while serving all. Serving Latino Students with Intentionality Where does intentionality fit into Seal-certified institutions’ Latino student success efforts? Beyond an HSI designation, which considers enrollments alone, the Seal of Excelencia requires institutions to innovate and implement approaches to accelerate Latino student success with intentionality. By focusing efforts on evidence-based practices, Seal-certified colleges and universities catalyze meaningful change and outcomes for their Latino populations. Hear from the below Seal-certified institutions leadership: Heather Wilson, President of The University of Texas at El Paso Kelly Damphousse, President of Texas State University Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Chancellor of the University of California, Merced Mike Muñoz, Superintendent President of Long Beach City College Ensuring Our Country’s Future How does the Seal propel institutions, and the U.S., toward a brighter future? As the U.S. changes, so too must higher education. Latinos constitute the country’s fastest growing college-age population, and Seal-certified institutions not only retain and graduate Latino students, but support them to achieve their career ambitions after college. In fostering Latino talent, their efforts reinforce America’s future workforce and civic leadership. Hear from the below Seal-certified institutions leadership: Havidán Rodríguez, President of the University at Albany, SUNY William Serrata, President of El Paso Community College Philomena Mantella, President of Grand Valley State University Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, President of California State University, Fresno Zulma Toro, President of Central Connecticut State University* * President from an Institution that is aspiring to be Seal-certified Collaborating in Common Cause Why is working together in common cause important for Seal-certified institutions? Seal-certified institutions do not work in isolation. Rather, they belong to a community of 30 trendsetting colleges and universities (and counting), each of which is committed to Latino student success. In addition to values, they share and promulgate strategies and practices that strengthen their efforts to advance Latino student achievement. Hear from the below Seal-certified institutions leadership: Nancy Gonzalez, Executive Vice President and University Provost of Arizona State University Guy Bailey, President of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Madeline Pumariega, President of Miami Dade College Richard Yao, President of California State University, Channel Islands Serving Latino, and All, Students What does it mean to accelerate Latino student success while serving all students? When they commit to making their campuses places where Latino students can thrive, Seal-certified institutions also commit to ensuring all students can thrive. Their focus on proven practices that address Latino students’ unique needs informs and improves their approach to student success broadly. Hear from the below Seal-certified institutions leadership: Cynthia Larive, Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz David Potash, President of Wilbur Wright College Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Chancellor of the University of California, Merced Richard Yao, President of California State University, Channel Islands An Ongoing Journey To Latino Student Success Why do institutional leaders begin and continue their journeys to and beyond Seal certification? The Seal provides a framework that treats the institutional transformation necessary to SERVE Latino students as a journey. That means supporting institutions at the start of their journey toward Seal certification to evaluate their efforts, as well as ensuring those further along in their journey measure progress and deliver on their commitment to Latino student success. Hear from the below Seal-certified institutions leadership: Cynthia Larive, Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz Nancy Gonzalez, Executive Vice President and University Provost of Arizona State University Taylor Eighmy, President of The University of Texas at San Antonio Anthony Munroe, President of CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College* * President from an Institution that is aspiring to be Seal-certified
