Excelencia in Education certified these colleges and universities for intentionally SERVING Latino students and for demonstrating positive student outcomes. Seal of Excelencia certified institutions represented less than 1% of colleges/universities yet enrolled 15% of Latino and 7% of all students, and graduated 17% of Latino and 7% of all students. LEARN MORE Seal of Excelencia Certified Institutions The 45 colleges and universities that have earned the Seal of Excelencia are identifying opportunities to innovate and building momentum on campus for continuous improvement in student success. Together, they model the transformation higher education needs to ensure access to excellence for Latino, and all, students — and strengthen our nation’s civic leadership and workforce. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institutions Institutions that earn the Seal of Excelencia began the journey to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students before certification and have successfully demonstrated institution-wide investment in continuous improvement in student success by aligning data, practice, and leadership. Institution Name Certified State California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt 2025-2028 California California State University-East Bay 2024-2027 California California State University-Long Beach 2023-2026 California California State University-Los Angeles 2023-2026 California California State University-Northridge 2023-2026 California Page 1 of 1 Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institutions Institutions that pursue Seal recertification after their first three-year certification concludes show sustained progress by advancing strategies, strengthening practices, and setting measurable goals that deepen their positive impact on Latino, and all, student success. Institution Name Recertified State California State University-Fresno 2024-2027 California California State University-Fullerton 2024-2027 California California State University-Sacramento 2023-2026 California City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College 2024-2027 Illinois Long Beach City College 2023-2026 California Page 1 of 1 Intentionally Thriving Institutions Intentionally Thriving Institutions continue their journey of more than six years and demonstrate positive impact beyond the educational pathway by investing in strategies and practices that prepare Latino, and all, students for success after graduation and connect them to the workforce. Institution Name Intentionally Thriving State Arizona State University 2025-2028 Arizona Austin Community College District 2025-2028 Texas California State University-Channel Islands 2025-2028 California Florida International University 2025-2028 Florida Grand Valley State University 2025-2028 Michigan Page 1 of 1 These trendsetting colleges and universities are leading transformation by ensuring students receive a quality education of value, using the Seal of Excelencia framework as a model that measures both outcomes and intentionality. This approach holds institutions accountable for continuous improvement, recognizes long-term progress, and requires deep, data-informed commitments that demonstrate institutions are evolving from just enrolling to intentionally serving Latino, and all, students. Are you ready to join this community of trendsetting institutions transforming higher education? BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY

Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network is a diverse group of college and university presidents and chancellors who have committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latino students thrive. They are part of the Excelencia network and collaborate with Excelencia in Education to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts at the national level. Excelencia in Action The Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network is a diverse group of college and university presidents and chancellors as well as program leaders across the country committed to joining a community of common cause and transforming their campuses to become learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. They are part of the Excelencia network and collaborate with Excelencia in Education to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts at the national level. For enrollment and other questions, please email E-Action@EdExcelencia.org . The E-Action network represents only 5% of colleges and universities, but it enrolls 26% and graduates 29% of Latino students nationwide. LEARN MORE Filter by State Select State Filter by Part of a System Select Part of a System Abilene Christian University Phil Schubert President Arizona Western College Reetika Dhawan President Bunker Hill Community College Pam Y. Eddinger President California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Richard Carvajal President California State University-Bakersfield Vernon B. Harper Jr. President California State University-Fresno Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval President California State University-Northridge Erika Beck President Central New Mexico Community College Tracy Hartzler President City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Andres Oroz President Columbia Basin College Rebekah Woods President Dallas College Justin Lonon Chancellor Elgin Community College Peggy Heinrich President Adams State University David A. Tandberg President Aurora University Susana Rivera-Mills President CUNY Hunter College Nancy Cantor President California State University, Dominguez Hills Mary Ann Villarreal President California State University-Channel Islands Sue Andrzejewski Interim President California State University-Fullerton Ronald Rochon President California State University-Sacramento Luke Wood President Cerritos College José Fierro President Clarkson College Andreia Nebel President Columbia Gorge Community College Kenneth Lawson President Dalton State College John M. Fuchko III President Evergreen Valley College Vinicio J. López President Aims Community College Leah Bornstein President Austin Community College District Russell Lowery-Hart Chancellor CUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community College ** President California State University, Monterey Bay ** President California State University-Chico Stephen Perez President California State University-Long Beach Loren J. Blanchard President California State University-San Bernardino ** President City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Daniel López President Coastline College Vince Rodriguez President Community College of Rhode Island Rosemary Costigan President Dominican University Glena Temple President Fairleigh Dickinson University Michael Avaltroni President Arizona State University Michael Crow President Bakersfield College Stacy Pfluger President California Lutheran University John Nunes President California State University, Stanislaus Britt Rios-Ellis President California State University-East Bay Cathy Sandeen President California State University-Los Angeles Berenecea Johnson Eanes President California State University-San Marcos Ellen J. Neufeldt President City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Isaac Zuniga President College of Lake County ** President Cuyahoga Community College Michael Baston President EDP University of Puerto Rico Gladys Nieves Vázquez President Felician University Mildred Mihlon President 1 2 3 1 ... 1 2 3 ... 3

** is President of The University of Texas at Arlington and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page The University of Texas at Arlington ** President Institution website: https://www.uta.edu/ Bio Page: ** is President of The University of Texas at Arlington and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2025-2028 The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a Carnegie Research 1 and Hispanic-Serving Institution in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With 41,000 students, of which 34% are Latino, UTA recently awarded a record 11,526 degrees, making it the third-largest degree producer in Texas.

Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. With this network, Excelencia accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, informing educational policies with a Latino lens, and advancing evidence-based practices. Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino, and all, student success, enhancing our workforce, leadership, and economy. LEARN MORE Our Tactical Plan for Latino Student Success How does Excelencia advance Latino, and all, student success in higher education? Inform Excelencia uses a Latino lens to inform and compel action to serve Latino, and all, students. LEARN MORE Promote Excelencia brings attention to what works to improve Latino student success amongst all students served. LEARN MORE Organize Excelencia organizes leaders with a common cause of accelerating Latino student success to benefit all. LEARN MORE Advocate Excelencia advocates for action and investment that intentionally serves Latino, and all, students. LEARN MORE Accelerating Latino College Completion in 2026 and Beyond Increasing Latino college completion is key to future prosperity Excelencia in Education’s latest analysis of public data on enrollment, degree completion, and attainment shows that gaps persist between Latino students and their White peers. Closing these gaps requires targeted strategies to accelerate Latino degree completion while supporting degree attainment for all students so that the United States can meet future workforce demands and maintain its global competitiveness. EXPLORE DATA HSI Lists: 2024-25 What is included in Excelencia’s release and how can I learn more using this analysis? 631 HSIs Hispanic-Serving Institutions LEARN MORE 427 eHSIs Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions LEARN MORE 276 gHSIs Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs LEARN MORE Factbook Learn more from Excelencia’s summary of HSIs, eHSIs, and gHSIs in the HSIs Factbook . LEARN MORE Dashboard Explore the 2024-25 data on HSIs in Excelencia’s new HSI interactive dashboard. LEARN MORE Infographic Visualize fast facts with Excelencia’s 2024-25 HSIs Infographic . LEARN MORE StoryMap Learn more about the 31-year evolution of HSIs through Excelencia’s HSI StoryMap LEARN MORE Seal of Excelencia Certified Institutions In 2025, five institutions earned the Seal of Excelencia , five earned recertification, and eight were recognized with the new Intentionally Thriving Institution certification, recognizing their continuing journey to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students, and emphasizing their impact in preparing students for and connecting them to the workforce. These 18 institutions belong to a community of 45 trendsetting colleges and universities that have earned the Seal by demonstrating intentionality and impact in serving Latino, and all, students through data, practice, and leadership. LEARN MORE 2026 Examples of Excelencia Finalists and Programs to Watch Announced Excelencia in Education announces finalists and Programs to Watch for the 2026 Examples of Excelencia . This year, Excelencia recognizes and elevates practices in four key issue areas that are shaping and evolving the landscape of higher education for Latino, and all, students. Programs are recognized in the areas of: (1) Career and Workforce, (2) Teaching and Learning, (3) Student Support , and (4) AI Innovation . SEE ANNOUNCEMENT Latest from Excelencia Stay informed with the latest research and analysis from Excelencia . Expand Your Knowledge with Excelencia How does intentionally SERVING Latino students benefit our society? Latinos are a young, fast-growing population, yet degree completion gaps persist between Latinos and their White peers. Excelencia’s analysis shows that closing the gap in degree completion by accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success will strengthen America’s workforce and civic leadership. See Our Analysis How can we inform educational practice and policy to facilitate positive change on behalf of Latino students? Excelencia’s research provides a basis of information on the status of Latino students in higher education from which to compel positive action by institutional leaders and measure progress toward accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success. From Latino enrollment and workforce participation, to how Latino students pay for college, to mapping Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) , this research informs and compels action. Explore Our Interactive Dashboard What works to improve Latino degree attainment, and how can we expand these practices? In 2005, we launched Examples of Excelencia — the only national, data-driven effort to recognize programs with evidence of effectiveness in increasing Latino student success amongst all served and, by doing so, facilitating access to excellence for all students. Since its inception, Excelencia has reviewed over 2,500 program submissions and recognized over 400 programs for their proven impact. Contact us if you’d like to connect with evidence-based programs or learn more about their work and impact. How does Excelencia catalyze institutional transformation for student success in higher education? In addition to building the Excelencia in Action network, our capacity building opportunities and Seal of Excelencia certification support and reinforce institutional capacity to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students using comprehensive strategies that align data, practice, and leadership. Discover the Seal What are Excelencia’s policy priorities for supporting Latino student success in higher education? Excelencia focuses on four policy priorities for closing gaps in degree attainment and increasing educational and economic opportunity for Latino and post-traditional students while increasing all student success in higher education: 1) workforce, 2) institutional capacity, 3) college affordability, and 4) retention and transfer. Review Our Policy Agenda

Wear your commitment to Latino student success in higher education with Excelencia’s apparel collection. Every purchase supports our efforts to ensure access to excellence for Latino, and all, students. Wear Your Support for Latino Student Success Excelencia’s apparel collection gives you the opportunity to show your commitment to Latino student success while contributing to our shared mission. Every purchase directly supports Excelencia's efforts to strengthen colleges and universities that are intentionally serving Latino, and all, students and growing excellence for our country’s future. When you wear Excelencia apparel, you join a community of advocates who proudly demonstrate their belief in ensuring access to excellence for all through higher education. You also inspire others to champion student success and educational opportunity. Wear the mission, support Excelencia , and help expand Excelencia’s impact. SHOP THE COLLECTION

Jane Oates is the Senior Policy Advisor, WorkingNation, and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Jane Oates Senior Policy Advisor WorkingNation Jane Oates is the Senior Policy Advisor at WorkingNation, a non-profit media entity dedicated to telling the stories of solutions at the intersection of learning and earning. She previously served as President and WorkingNation following a decades-long career as a thought leader in education and workforce. She began her career teaching in the Boston and Philadelphia public school districts, spent a decade working with Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the Senate Health, Education, and Pensions Committee (HELP), served as the SHEEO of New Jersey under Governor Jon Corzine, and was nominated by President Obama and confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training under Secretary Hilda Solis in 2009. She currently serves on the boards of the Center for Workforce Inclusion, Competency-Based Education Network, Frontline Justice, the Heldrich Center at Rutgers University, NCCEP, NOCTI, the Corps Network, and Excelencia in Education.

** is President of MiraCosta College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page MiraCosta College ** President Institution website: https://www.miracosta.edu/ Bio Page: ** is President of MiraCosta College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Britt Rios-Ellis is President of California State University, Stanislaus and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University, Stanislaus Britt Rios-Ellis President Institution website: https://www.csustan.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.csustan.edu/president#:~:text=Britt%20Rios%2DEllis%2C%20M.S.%2C,of%20California%20State%20University%2C%20Stanislaus Britt Rios-Ellis is President of California State University, Stanislaus and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Excelencia in Education is committed to accelerating Latino college completion while increasing for all. Our analysis shows persistent gaps between Latino and White students in Tennessee, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Tennessee Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. To make our country stronger and meet the economy’s demand for a highly educated workforce, we must ensure access to quality higher education for Latino, and all, students. This requires accelerating Latino degree completion, increasing completion for all students, and scaling programs and initiatives proven to support Latino, and all, student success. The following demographics, institutional data, and practices inform Latino degree attainment. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2026) 27% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 42% Of White adults Fast Facts Tennessee had the 24th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 12% K-12 Population 7% Total Population Enrollment 17% Latino Students 19% White Students Median Age 25 Latinos 42 White Median Income $34,164 Without a college degree $59,424 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 5%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Tennessee. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 6%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Tennessee. Top Institutions Enrolling and Graduating Hispanic Undergraduates, 2026 Rank Institution Name Sector Total Enrollment Hispanic Enrollment % Hispanic Enrollment Total Completions Hispanic Completions % Hispanic Completions 1 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Public, 4-year or above 28,763 1,727 6% 5,568 273 5% 2 Middle Tennessee State University Public, 4-year or above 16,115 1,567 10% 3,847 285 7% 3 University of Memphis Public, 4-year or above 13,645 1,504 11% 2,948 224 8% 4 Vanderbilt University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 7,143 854 12% 1,820 172 9% 5 Austin Peay State University Public, 4-year or above 7,365 845 11% 2,528 257 10% BACK TO MAIN LCC PAGE Examples of What Works for Latino, And All, Students Looking to know what works or connect with evidence-based programs recognized by Excelencia ? Our team can work with you to identify and connect with relevant programs making an impact on student success that can help you in your efforts to intentionally serve your Latino, and all, students. Click here to contact us . Sources U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Excelencia in Education analysis using U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2023 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey, and Institutional Characteristics Survey.

It's hard to imagine the realm without Excelencia. They’ve been strong and effective advocates on behalf of students. A critical partner – in terms of importance, but also perspective – they challenge all of us in the community to be mindful of needs and challenges of Latino students. Leadership A National Network of Leaders for Latino, and All, Student Success The Latino community brings talent and vitality to America's economy, workforce, and society, and we must accelerate their success while increasing all student success. Excelencia in Education's E-Action network of presidents work with Excelencia to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts at the national level to ensure Latino, and all, students thrive. LEARN MORE How Do We Work With Institutions? Excelencia meets institutions where they are on their journeys to increase Latino, and all, student success with intentionality and impact. EXPLORE THE JOURNEY Building Momentum for Higher Education Transformation Excelencia’s network represents a small percentage of colleges and universities nationwide that disproportionately enroll and graduate Latino students. These institutions are changing the face of higher education. DISCOVER OUR IMPACT

Excelencia established the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment to better SERVE Latino students. Seal of Excelencia Trendsetting colleges and universities across the country are taking responsibility for transformation that ensures their students earn a quality education of value. Excelencia in Education created the Seal of Excelencia as a national certification that holds colleges and universities accountable for continuous improvement in student success before and beyond graduation — reinforcing higher education’s role as an engine of social mobility, economic vitality, and workforce development. The Seal of Excelencia recognizes and drives excellence at institutions with Latino students, knowing that an intentional, mission-driven investment that includes serving this population, ensures all of our students, communities, and country are served. " The Seal of Excelencia recognizes institutions that are lifting the students that they serve. Being an institution that serves Latino learners should do more than just serving — ensuring students have everything they need when they walk out those doors to improve their lives and the lives of their families for generations to come. That intentionality was missing before Excelencia introduced the Seal. " - Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President & CEO, College Futures Foundation Continuous, Student-Centered Improvement The Seal of Excelencia is a rigorous, student-centered, data-informed certification framework that requires colleges and universities to show momentum leading to continuous improvement in student outcomes. Institutions earn this standard of excellence through an intentional alignment of data, evidence-based practices, and leadership, all resulting in student success. Is your institution ready to demonstrate intentionality and impact? The Seal of Excelencia Framework FIND OUT The Seal represents a voluntary journey of continuous improvement in student success — not a destination. Excelencia charted this journey based on 20 years of working with institutions and offers tools to assess readiness and build capacity along the way. There are 45 institutions that have earned the Seal, spanning three progressive levels of certification: Certified, Recertified, and Intentionally Thriving Institutions (ITIs). Could your institution lead alongside these trendsetters? Institutions on the Seal Certification Journey JOIN THEM The Seal and Institutional Value The Seal helps colleges and universities move beyond isolated programs toward systemic change to intentionally serve all students. Seal certification is both a national standard of excellence and proof of positive student impact to funders, accreditors, and communities. Does Seal certification align with your institution’s vision? LOOK AHEAD Expand Your Knowledge with Excelencia How does the Seal of Excelencia uphold the value of higher education? The Seal framework reinforces four essential components of higher education value: 1) Ensuring all students succeed; 2) Supporting continuous improvement institution-wide; 3) Enhancing economic/social mobility; and 4) Demonstrating effective use of public funds. Institutions that earn the Seal articulate how they deliver this value for students, communities, and our country. Does the Seal of Excelencia apply only to institutions serving Latino students? The Seal framework combines data on the educational pathway for all students served — not Latinos alone — with evidence of impact from intentional practices and leadership commitment from strategic planning. For that reason, it applies to all institutions serving post-traditional students. Excelencia focuses on Latino students because they represent the post-traditional majority, and what works for them can also work for others. What distinguishes Seal of Excelencia certified institutions from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)? HSIs are defined as having 25% or more undergraduate Hispanic student full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment, and they constitute a critical set of colleges and universities expanding access to higher education. Through the Seal, Excelencia asserts the opportunity to go beyond enrollment and deconstruct the “S” in “HSI” to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. An institution does not need to be an HSI to earn the Seal. Is my institution ready to start the Seal of Excelencia certification journey? Institutions must join our community of practice and affiliate with the Excelencia in Action network to be eligible for Seal certification. Applicants will tell their story of intentionally serving Latino, and all, students through data, practice, and leadership. Institutions can assess their readiness for certification with our Seal Serving Institutional Transformation Assessment (SSITA) tool and capacity building opportunities. To learn more, contact us at: Seal@EdExcelencia.org. What makes Intentionally Thriving Institutions (ITIs) stand out from other Seal of Excelencia certified institutions? ITIs have committed to the journey toward continuous improvement for more than six years, earning Seal recertification twice along the way. In addition to ensuring Latino, and all, students thrive on campus, ITIs demonstrate strong post-completion success outcomes — preparing and linking Latino, and all, students to the workforce and growing talent for America’s future.

Gladys Nieves Vázquez is President of EDP University of Puerto Rico and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page EDP University of Puerto Rico Gladys Nieves Vázquez President Institution website: https://edpuniversity.edu/ Bio Page: https://edpuniversity.edu/profile/gladys-nieves/ Gladys Nieves Vázquez is President of EDP University of Puerto Rico and part of Excelencia in Action network.