Mildred Mihlon is President of Felician University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Felician University Mildred Mihlon President Institution website: https://felician.edu/ Bio Page: https://felician.edu/about-felician-university/office-of-the-president/ Mildred Mihlon is President of Felician University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Jennifer Cowley 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 Jennifer Cowley President Institution website: https://www.uta.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.uta.edu/administration/president/meet-the-president#:~:text=Jennifer%20Cowley%2C%20Ph.&text=Jennifer%20Cowley%20is%20the%20first,her%20career%20to%20public%20service Jennifer Cowley 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.

< Back to News Page Excelencia in Education Releases Comprehensive New Profile of Latino Students in Higher Education Apr 9, 2024 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Timely Analysis Provides a Touchstone to Better Understand and Serve One of the Fastest Growing College-Age Populations WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 9, 2024) – Excelencia in Education announces today the release of a comprehensive new profile of Latino students — one of the fastest growing populations in higher education — and institutions where they enroll in order to inform policy and mobilize action that ensures they are served well. It shows Latinos represent the majority of growth in the number of degrees earned nationwide, despite their lower degree attainment compared to all students. The analysis, “ Latinos in Higher Education: 2024 Compilation of Fast Facts ,” demonstrates Latinos account for 79% of the 4% overall increase in the number of degrees earned over the last five years. Latinos have made significant gains in degree completion, but only 27% of Latinos had earned an associate degree or higher in 2021-22, compared to 44% of all people. Latinos continue to be underrepresented across degree levels. “For 20 years, Excelencia has led the way with analysis and actionable efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia . “Our new compilation of fact sheets builds on these efforts, sets the stage for national policy discussions, and equips institutions to more intentionally serve the growing number of Latino students on their campuses while increasing success for all.” In addition to providing a comprehensive profile of Latino students, institutions that serve them, and the opportunities they face, the analysis informs Excelencia’s four policy priorities: affordability, institutional capacity, retention, and transfer. Key findings from the analysis include: Latinos are far more likely to be first-generation college students. Half of Latinos (51%) were first-generation college students, compared to African Americans (38%), Asians (30%), and Whites (22%). Latinos are more likely to receive the federal Pell Grant. In 2019-20, about half of Latino students (49%) received a Pell Grant, awarded to students displaying exceptional financial need. Only 26% of Latinos accepted federal student loans, fewer than any group except Asians (25%). Latinos have the highest labor force participation rate. Two-thirds of Latinos (66%) participated in the labor force in 2022. However, Latinos are overrepresented in lower paying occupations, with 34% in manual labor roles. Institutions serving Latinos are predominantly Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). 600 HSIs represent 20% of all colleges and universities yet educate 63% of Latino students. Seal of Excelencia certified institutions graduate Latinos at a higher rate than institutions nationally . Institutions with the Seal — a national certification for intentionally serving Latino students — represented less than 1% of colleges and universities yet enrolled 15% and graduated 17% of Latino students. Excelencia in Education works with a national network of institutions committed to knowing and intentionally serving Latino, and all, students so they thrive on their campuses. “Increasing the number of Latinos that earn degrees is essential to meeting our country’s workforce and civic leadership needs,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia . “We are proud to make common cause with institutional leaders who choose to be part of our national network committed to accelerating Latino student success in higher education. Together, they are ensuring America’s bright future with the talents of Latinos.” “Latinos in Higher Education: 2024 Compilation of Fast Facts” benefited from the support and public leadership of 24 colleges and universities that have earned the Seal of Excelencia : Arizona State University Austin Community College District California State University Channel Islands California State University, Fresno California State University, Fullerton California State University, Long Beach California State University, Northridge City Colleges of Chicago, Richard J. Daley College City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College El Paso Community College Florida International University Grand Valley State University Long Beach City College Mercy University Miami Dade College San Antonio College South Texas College St. Edward’s University University at Albany, SUNY University of Illinois Chicago The University of Texas at Arlington The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley The University of Texas at San Antonio Access the full analysis: EdExcelencia.org/latinos-higher-ed-2024-fast-facts 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

Alberto J.F. Cardelle is President of SUNY Oneonta and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page SUNY Oneonta Alberto J.F. Cardelle President Institution website: https://suny.oneonta.edu/ Bio Page: https://suny.oneonta.edu/office-president/biography Alberto J.F. Cardelle is President of SUNY Oneonta and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Teik Lim is President of New Jersey Institute of Technology and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page New Jersey Institute of Technology Teik Lim President Institution website: https://www.njit.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.njit.edu/president/teik-lim Teik Lim is President of New Jersey Institute of Technology and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Joey Marin serves as Executive Assistant & Board Liaison of Excelencia in Education. Joey supports the CEO across organizational efforts and assists the Executive Team with the management and tracking of projects throughout Excelencia’s portfolios. < Back to Our People Page Joey Marin Executive Assistant & Board Liaison Excelencia in Education Email: jmarin@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As Executive Assistant & Board Liaison, Joey directly supports the CEO across organizational efforts and assists the Executive Team with the management and tracking of projects throughout Excelencia’s portfolios. Joey coordinates scheduling for the President and the CEO, supports organizational culture by facilitating internal communication between executives and staff, and maintains contact with external collaborators. Past Experiences: Joey joined Excelencia with a wide range of private and public sector experience, providing administrative support to organizations both small and large. Most recently, he served as Senior Clerk at the Student & Teacher Integrated Center for Health Sciences (STICHES), a U.S. Department of Education Title V grant project at Miami Dade College’s Kendall Campus. While there, he provided wraparound services to pre-nursing and pre-health sciences students during their first two years of college. A first-generation post-traditional college student, Joey received his associate’s degree in Political Science from Miami Dade College and his bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a minor in Anthropology and Sociology, from Florida International University. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? As someone who transferred from a community college to a public university while working full-time, I am personally motivated to help increase the engagement of Latino students in higher education and ensure their pathway toward robust professional careers. Excelencia’s commitment to accelerating Latino student success beyond typical metrics, such as full-time college enrollment or financial aid status, sees the whole of our community while also recognizing the distinct needs of all students. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Excelencia is constantly working with institutional and community-based leaders to listen, learn, and help develop ways to more intentionally serve Latino students. It is a privilege to work with such a diverse, professional, and innovative team that is so passionately invested in supporting students throughout their academic journeys.

Jessica Leach serves as Grants Manager of Excelencia in Education. Jessica works closely with the Finance and Executive teams to support the administration of grants and contracts. < Back to Our People Page Jessica Leach Grants Manager Excelencia in Education Email: jleach@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As the Grants Manager, Jessica works closely with the Finance and Executive teams to support the administration of grants and contracts. She is responsible for tracking project progress, timely and accurate grant reporting, and supporting development efforts. Past Experiences: Jessica has over a decade of experience working at various universities in the United States and Canada in administrative, teaching, and graduate student positions. Before Excelencia , she managed a grants team that administered language preservation grants and contracts for Tribes and First Nations across the United States and Canada. Jessica has a Ph.D. in History from Indiana University Bloomington. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? I thrive working with teams of highly motivated and talented individuals, like our team at Excelencia . This position allows me to collaborate closely with leadership and the entire team, which I find motivating and rewarding. My previous work in admissions, standardized testing, and teaching really showed the inequities in higher education, and it is extremely important to me to help make higher education more accessible for all. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia immerses me in a fast-paced and collaborative environment with passionate coworkers. It is refreshing to work for an organization that cares deeply about its mission and its employees. We are offered many opportunities for professional and personal growth, which helps employees better support Excelencia’s mission.

Paul Jarrell is President of Tillamook Bay Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Tillamook Bay Community College Paul Jarrell President Institution website: https://www.tillamookbaycc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.tillamookbaycc.edu/new-president/ Paul Jarrell is President of Tillamook Bay Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Taylor Randall is President of the University of Utah and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of Utah Taylor Randall President Institution website: https://www.utah.edu/ Bio Page: https://president.utah.edu/president-randall-bio/ Taylor Randall is President of the University of Utah and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Latinos will need to earn 6.2 million degrees by 2030 to reach the U.S. degree attainment goal. Learn about Latino College Completion in North Dakota. Latino College Completion - North Dakota Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. However, different patterns emerge within each state or location. To reach the Latino degree attainment goal by 2030, states can close the degree completion gap by accelerating Latino completion while increasing for all students and scale up programs and initiatives that work for Latino, and all, students. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2021) 27% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 48% Of White adults Fast Facts North Dakota had the 47th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 4% K-12 Population 4% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 30% Latino Students 44% White Students Median Age 24 Latinos 38 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 45% Latino Students 62% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 14%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in North Dakota. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 17%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in North Dakota. BACK TO MAIN LCC PAGE Top Institutions To find out more about the top institutions enrolling, and awarding associate and bachelor degrees to Hispanics by using the tabs below to navigate the information. Click on the tabs below to explore. ENROLLING ASSOCIATES DEGREES BACHELORS DEGREE Top Institutions Enrolling (Hispanic Undergraduates) in North Dakota, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of North Dakota Public, 4-year or above 8,998 462 5% 2 North Dakota State University-Main Campus Public, 4-year or above 9,932 320 3% 3 Minot State University Public, 4-year or above 2,248 191 8% 4 Bismarck State College Public, 4-year or above 2,613 150 6% 5 University of Jamestown Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 992 99 10% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in North Dakota, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Bismarck State College Public, 4-year or above 704 27 4% 2 Williston State College Public, 2-year 170 17 10% 3 Rasmussen University-North Dakota Private for-profit, 4-year or above 189 14 7% 4 Lake Region State College Public, 2-year 197 13 7% 5 North Dakota State College of Science Public, 2-year 454 9 2% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in North Dakota, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of North Dakota Public, 4-year or above 1,878 73 4% 2 North Dakota State University-Main Campus Public, 4-year or above 2,433 52 2% 3 Minot State University Public, 4-year or above 504 34 7% 4 University of Mary Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 548 23 4% 5 University of Jamestown Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 142 13 9% 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 Excelencia in Education. (2020). Ensuring America’s Future: Benchmarking Latino College Completion to 2030. Excelencia in Education. Washington, D.C. U.S. Census Bureau, 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Excelencia in Education Analysis using the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2021 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey and Institutional Characteristics Survey.

Loren J. Blanchard is President of the University of Houston-Downtown and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of Houston-Downtown Loren J. Blanchard President Institution website: https://uhd.edu/ Bio Page: https://uhd.edu/president/about.aspx Loren J. Blanchard is President of the University of Houston-Downtown and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Glena Temple is President of Dominican University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Dominican University Glena Temple President Institution website: https://www.dom.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.dom.edu/about-dominican/office-president Glena Temple is President of Dominican University and part of Excelencia in Action network.