This publication profiles discussions with college presidents to better understand their perspectives on what it means to be a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). < Back Hearing from Presidents of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Deborah A. Santiago December 2006 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Institution presidents help to set the vision, tone, and priorities for institutional practices. Direct involvement from campus leaders proved critical to the Latino Student Success (LSS) project series. Hearing from Presidents of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) : Defining Student Success, Measures of Accountability, and What it Means to be an HSI profiles responses from individual interviews with college presidents to better understand their perspectives on three main topics: Defining student success; Measuring institutional accountability; and, Describing what it means to be an HSI. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

San Antonio demonstrates how a community can partner across sectors and institutions to remove financial aid as a barrier for students to access higher education. < Back The Impact of Financial Aid on Student College Access and Success: The San Antonio Experience Noé C. Ortiz ; Eyra A. Pérez March 2014 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview The success of the financial aid initiative is founded on the premise that the truest impact occurs when the greater community owns and develops solutions to issues that impede student progress. Co-authored by two community leaders, Noé Ortiz and Eyra Pérez, the San Antonio experience demonstrates how a community can partner across different sectors and institutions to remove financial aid as a barrier for students to access postsecondary education. The San Antonio case study shares successes, challenges and lessons learned in creating and implementing three strategic components: 1. Student Aid Saturdays San Antonio 2. Financial Aid Curriculum for High School Students 3. Financial Aid Council of San Antonio San Antonio’s growth, diversity, and leadership in strengthening the opportunity for success of its community, provides a useful case study for other communities throughout the United States. In this context, we draw three lessons relevant to communities across America: Partnership development was, and continues to be, a key factor—and challenge—in successful efforts. It is critical to determine how to most effectively empower Latino students and their families to navigate the complex financial aid system in a community context. A robust data collection system is needed to quantify a community’s needs, verify what works, and translate best efforts into best results. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This brief shares student and administrator experiences, offering insights to help improve college affordability for Latinos in Texas and nationally. < Back College Affordability: Insights and Solutions from Texas Students and Postsecondary Leaders Lily Cuellarsola, Madelyn Lucas, and Deborah Santiago June 2025 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Latino students in Texas make informed, pragmatic choices to pay for college, often shaped by state policy and institutional action. This brief builds on 20 years of Excelencia in Education’s research on college affordability for Latino, and all, students , highlighting insights from institutional leaders and student experiences to inform efforts in Texas and beyond. Excelencia in Education engaged students, administrators, and institutional leaders at the following nine Seal-certified institutions in Texas: Angelo State University St. Edward’s University Texas State University Texas Woman’s University The University of Texas at Arlington The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at El Paso The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley The University of Texas at San Antonio Read key findings and recommendations from our piece below. Key Findings Excelencia’s interviews with two groups: 1) students and 2) administrators/institutional leaders at the nine Seal-certified institutions in Texas revealed key insights into college affordability. Students are pragmatic in paying for college : Students prioritize financial stability and seek debt-free solutions, often opting for scholarships/grants and work-study over loans. While administrators view loans as strategic tools, students remain loan-averse due to concerns about debt. Student engagement across departments is transformative for students: Both groups agree on the importance of financial aid, but students find the most valuable information about scholarships and financial aid through academic departments rather than institutional outreach. Basic needs are crucial: Non-tuition costs, like housing, food, and transportation, are significant barriers, with students often foregoing paying for one over the other. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) simplification posed challenges. The recent FAFSA simplification brought significant delays for students, families, and practitioners. Texas policies reflect these issues, as the state balances increasing costs with a commitment to keeping student debt manageable, though challenges remain in funding equity and affordability. Recommendations Students and institutional leaders share a commitment to improving college affordability, though they approach the challenge from different perspectives. Students emphasize the need for direct, practical support—such as affordable payment options, basic needs coverage, and personalized guidance. In contrast, presidents and administrators focus on broader structural reforms—including expanding public investment, advocating for adjustment of federal policies, and realigning institutional practices to address affordability at scale. Both groups recognize the importance of financial education and support services, highlighting opportunities for alignment that center student needs while advancing systemic change. Students recommend that institutions: Provide more affordable options , such as income-based scholarships and flexible payment plans, alongside clearer communication and targeted outreach; Offer affordable housing, dining, and parking , while increasing staffing in key departments like financial aid to meet basic needs; and Strengthen first-year guidance in advising and continued support through mentorship and financial literacy programs. Presidents and administrators recommend that state and federal policy: Cover tuition for students from families earning under $100,000 and expand promise programs; Expand Pell Grant support and adjust Pell lifetime limits to serve post-traditional students; Increase funding predictability and support student success initiatives, such as the College Cost Recovery Act; Realign financial aid policies to curb tuition inflation and coordinate funding more effectively to better support Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs); Control off-campus housing options and enhance transportation systems; and Require financial education for graduation and promote the value of diverse postsecondary degrees. Suggested Citation – Cuellarsola, L., Lucas, M., & Santiago, D. (June 2025). College Affordability: Insights and Solutions from Texas Students and Postsecondary Leaders . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Featured Publications Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Excelencia's 2024 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education compendium details programs intentionally supporting Latino and other post-traditional students. < Back 2024 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education Excelencia in Education September 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview For 20 years, Excelencia in Education has identified and promoted evidence-based practices increasing Latino student success. Since 2005 Excelencia has received over 2,000 program submissions for Examples of Excelencia , recognized over 400 programs for their impact, and raised and awarded over $2 million in funds to programs making a positive difference for Latino students across the country. Programs at the associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organization levels are recognized for their intentional and culturally relevant asset-based efforts. Our 2024 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education compendium recognizes the critical work that this year’s four Examples of Excelencia , eighteen finalists , and twelve Programs to Watch are doing across the nation. These programs demonstrate an intentional and aligned approach in supporting Latino and other post-traditional students academically, financially, and socially as they make their way to and through college. Excelencia in Education invites you to learn more about the recognized programs that best exemplify the spirit of Examples of Excelencia through the 2024 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education. 2024 Examples of Excelencia ASSOCIATE LEVEL: English for Academic Purposes | Reading Area Community College (PA) Institution/Organization: Reading Area Community College State: Pennsylvania Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Bilingual/ESL BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) | Washington State University (WA) Institution/Organization: Washington State University State: Washington Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: First-Year Support GRADUATE LEVEL: Project upGRADS | California State University, Fullerton (CA) Institution/Organization: California State University, Fullerton State: California Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: First-Year Support, Mentoring COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION LEVEL: Career Pathways: Empowering Students to Succeed | The Immokalee Foundation, Inc. (FL) Institution/Organization: The Immokalee Foundation, Inc. State: Florida Issue Area: Access Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Scholarship Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

The purpose of this issue brief is to provide a common definition and methodology for identifying HSIs that will result in better, more accurate analysis. < Back Essay: Creating a List of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Excelencia in Education April 2025 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excelencia in Education has been tracking the growth of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (eHSIs), and Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) for over 20 years and has released its analyses on these institutions annually. The purpose of this essay is to provide a common definition and methodology for identifying HSIs that will result in better, more accurate analysis. Using a common definition based on an established methodology will more accurately represent this group of institutions. As the Latino population continues to grow, so will the number of Latino college-bound students. The number and size of HSIs will also continue to grow and will play a critical role in enhancing Latino students' access to higher education throughout the United States. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Analysis highlights policy efforts that may help, hinder, or need reexamining to close college completion equity gaps for Latinos in California, Colorado, and Texas. < Back Helping or Hindering? State Policies & Latino College Completion Deborah A. Santiago ; Emily Calderón Galdeano March 2015 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Summary for Discussion SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview With support from the Ford Foundation , Excelencia in Education conducted data analysis and preliminary policy audits in 3 key states--California, Colorado and Texas-- to consider existing state policies most obviously connected to equity and Latino college completion. The result is a high level review of state policies that may be helping, hindering, or warrant reconsideration to improve Latino student success in higher education. DOWNLOAD REPORT BELOW The brief profiles Latino and other post-traditional students in the three states, expands the consideration of public policy from national to state governance levels and links to Excelencia in Education’s national initiative, Ensuring America's Future by Increasing Latino College Completion . Partners in the selected states include The Campaign for College Opportunity (CA), Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Colorado Coalition for the Educational Advancement of Latinos (CoCEAL) (CO), and Educate Texas (TX). CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP WEIGHS IN “The future of our country hinges on the success of the Latino community. Latino students deserve a quality education – from the early learning stages all the way to the higher education years. In order to close the equity gap, it is critically important that policies address the needs of Latino youth.” - Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda Sánchez (CA 38th District) "It is vital that we continue to focus on bridging the achievement gap for Latinos in higher education. As policymakers, we have the ability and responsibility to help more students succeed and we must take seriously the recommendations made in this report." - Representative Loretta Sanchez (CA 46th District) "Excelencia in Education’s findings underscore the importance of closing the achievement gap. For far too long, minority students have gotten the short end of the stick. If we are to truly give minority students the opportunity of a quality education, we must advocate for and implement some of the policy recommendations laid out in this audit. Only then, will we begin to fix our education system." - Representative Mark Takano (CA 41st District) "Colorado knows all too well the persistent achievement gap that exists between white students and their Latino peers. We must narrow this gap by examining our education policies and identifying which ones are actually improving Latino student success rates, and which ones aren’t. Excelencia in Education’s state audit is an important step in achieving these goals." - Representative Jared Polis (CO 2nd District) "For the sake of our nation’s future, policies at every level of government should aim to close the equity gap and support, not impede, all young people’s access to a higher education. Young Latinos like all students in America, should have the opportunity to attend and graduate college. Earning a higher education makes it possible for folks to find a good job and achieve their dreams." - Representative Joaquin Castro (TX 20th District) Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This report portrays perspectives and leadership choices by select college and university presidents on the front lines of the changing higher education landscape. < Back Leading in a Changing America: Presidential Perspectives from Hispanic-Serving Institutions Deborah A. Santiago May 2009 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview This report portrays the perspectives and leadership choices by a select group of college and university presidents who are on the front lines of the changing higher education landscape. These leaders offer pragmatic approaches for serving first generation college-going students in the present and visions for the future of higher education that can inform the future of public policy in higher education to serve a changing America. All are presidents of institutions that enroll large numbers of nontraditional college students in some of the largest and most populous states in the country: California, New York, and Texas. Their institutions rank among the top in the country in both enrolling and graduating Latinos. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Excelencia’s interactive dashboard provides data on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in 2023-24 based on sector, student body race/ethnicity, and location. < Back Explore Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Dashboard: 2023-24 Excelencia in Education April 2025 DOWNLOADS/LINKS HSIs Dashboard SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview What is the breakdown of HSIs in 2023-24 by sector? What does the student body look like at HSIs by race/ethnicity? Where are HSIs located? Check out Excelencia’s HSI interactive dashboard to find out the answers. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This brief explores practices by programs to increase Latino student success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to address workforce needs. < Back Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Janette Martinez; Deborah A. Santiago June 2017 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees are a key focus for many communities to address workforce needs. Yet less than 10 percent of STEM degrees and certificates awarded annually are to Latinos. To increase Latino representation in STEM jobs, colleges need to recruit, retain, and graduate more Latino STEM students. This brief explores practices used by programs to serve Latino students and increase their success. Looking to know what works or connect with evidence-based programs recognized by Excelencia ? Let’s talk. 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 . Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

The report provides recommendations on how high school counselors can grow visibility of higher education options for Latino student college access and success. < Back College Counseling for Latino and Underrepresented Students National Association for College Admission Counseling; Excelencia in Education April 2015 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Latinos represent almost one quarter of students enrolled in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in public schools. Between 2011 and 2022, Latino postsecondary enrollment will increase by 27% – the largest rate of increase of all groups. This study, by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) in partnership with Excelencia in Education, examines the role of high school counselors in assisting Latino and other underrepresented students through their transition to college. Public high schools continue to emphasize the importance of planning for postsecondary education. For Latinos and other underrepresented groups, counselors can act as a catalyst in the development of postsecondary aspirations and the formation of “college knowledge.” Increasing knowledge on academic and financial aid options for Latinos and their families help reduce barriers to regarding postsecondary education. One-on-one and culturally competent counseling positively affect Latinos enrolling in college after high school graduation. This study uses site visits to examine the challenges and successes of providing college readiness counseling to Latino students. NACAC’s counseling trends survey lends information to the effects of counseling on student enrollment in postsecondary education. The study also includes recommendations for improving college counseling, access, and success for Latinos. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This infographic shows 5 trends in higher education in Puerto Rico influencing institutional resilience, including enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. < Back Higher Education in Puerto Rico: Conditions and Context Influencing Institutional Resilience Infographic Excelencia in Education June 2021 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Infographic SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview This infographic shows 5 trends in the conditions and context of higher education in Puerto Rico influencing institutional resilience. The total population and K-12 educational pipeline has declined, potentially affecting the future college-going pool of applicants. Full-time retention rates have increased in the last 15 years, despite drops in enrollment, and are higher than the national retention rate. The cost of attendance across all sectors has been increasing over the last 20 years and there is a significant gap between students’ cost of attendance and the grant aid they receive. Graduation rates have been on the rise at private 4-year institutions but have remained relatively stagnant at public 4-year institutions. Despite an increasing share of the population attaining a postsecondary degree, Puerto Rico’s unemployment rate is high. Suggested Citation: Labandera, E., Santiago, D., and Laurel, J. (May 2021). Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more in Higher Education in Puerto Rico: Conditions and Context Influencing Institutional Resilience . Webinar - Higher Education in Puerto Rico: Conditions and Context Influencing Institutional Resilience - A Conversation with Puerto Rican Leaders Click here to view Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

While Latino enrollment decreased in 2020, we continue to see an increase in Latino college completion (LCC). This brief provides the most up-to-date overview of LCC. < Back Latino College Completion: 2019-2020 Excelencia in Education July 2022 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview While Latino enrollment decreased in 2020, we continue to see an increase in Latino college completion. This brief provides the most up-to-date overview of Latino college completion, including the top institutions where Latinos earn degrees, and progress towards the goal of Ensuring America’s Future through 6.2 million more Latino undergraduate degrees by 2030. Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2022). Latino College Completion: 2019-2020 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Latino College Enrollment: Past, Current, and Projections Latino student college enrollment had been growing at an accelerated pace for more than 20 years, but in 2020 dropped significantly despite previous projections of continued growth. In this fact sheet, we provide a summary of past, current, and projected Latino student enrollment. LEARN MORE Infographics to share Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce