Deborah A. Santiago is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Excelencia in Education, America's premier authority on efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education. < Back to Our People Page Deborah A. Santiago Chief Executive Officer Excelencia in Education Email: dsantiago@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD BIO Deborah A. Santiago is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Excelencia in Education, America's premier authority on efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education. As an innovator, thought leader, and educational visionary, she has led research and advanced evidence-based practices and strategies for more than 20 years. She has held leadership positions with education organizations around the country, including the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans and the Los Angeles Alliance for Student Achievement. She co-founded Excelencia in Education in 2004 to inform policy, compel action, and collaborate with those ready to accelerate student success with an unapologetic Latino lens. Among her many contributions, Deborah has addressed federal legislative issues in higher education at the Congressional Research Service and informed program and policy implementation at the U.S. Department of Education. She also improved awareness and education opportunities for Latinos with federal agencies as the Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. Among Deborah’s community efforts, she has provided program design and implementation for dropout prevention and parental engagement for the ASPIRA Association and translated data for community engagement at the Los Angeles Alliance for Student Achievement. As CEO, Deborah leads Excelencia’s programming and engagement efforts, including expanding and leveraging community-informed research in improving educational opportunities for students, working directly with education leaders, and informing campus practices as well as state and federal policies. Driven by a deep desire to advance asset based, student-centered understanding of the needs and opportunities for the Latino community, Deborah is a sought-after speaker about Hispanic Serving Institutions, college affordability, and equity in higher education. Her work has been cited in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. She serves on the Advisory Board of TheDream.US . and the technical panel for the Carnegie Classification led by the American Council on Education.

James W. Crawford is President of Texas Southern University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Texas Southern University James W. Crawford President Institution website: https://www.tsu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.tsu.edu/about/office-of-the-president/ James W. Crawford is President of Texas Southern University 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 Arkansas. Latino College Completion - Arkansas 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) 18% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 36% Of White adults Fast Facts Arkansas had the 33rd largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 12% K-12 Population 8% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 35% Latino Students 36% White Students Median Age 24 Latinos 42 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 49% Latino Students 58% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 1%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Arkansas. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 9%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Arkansas. 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 Arkansas, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Arkansas Public, 4-year or above 24,001 2,493 10% 2 NorthWest Arkansas Community College Public, 2-year 4,872 1,154 24% 3 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Public, 4-year or above 4,188 644 15% 4 Arkansas Tech University Public, 4-year or above 6,467 628 10% 5 University of Central Arkansas Public, 4-year or above 7,763 498 6% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Arkansas, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 NorthWest Arkansas Community College Public, 2-year 812 187 23% 2 Arkansas Tech University Public, 4-year or above 973 75 8% 3 Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas Public, 2-year 157 44 28% 4 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Public, 4-year or above 234 32 14% 5 North Arkansas College Public, 2-year 247 30 12% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Arkansas, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Arkansas Public, 4-year or above 5,190 491 9% 2 University of Central Arkansas Public, 4-year or above 1,831 104 6% 3 Arkansas Tech University Public, 4-year or above 1,195 80 7% 4 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Public, 4-year or above 738 77 10% 5 Arkansas State University Public, 4-year or above 1,759 60 3% 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.

Jonathan Koppell is President of Montclair State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Montclair State University Jonathan Koppell President Institution website: https://www.montclair.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.montclair.edu/president/jonathan-g-s-koppell-biography/ Jonathan Koppell is President of Montclair State University 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 Ohio. Latino College Completion - Ohio 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) 31% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 41% Of White adults Fast Facts Ohio had the 22nd largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 7% K-12 Population 4% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 27% Latino Students 36% White Students Median Age 26 Latinos 42 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 55% Latino Students 63% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 9%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Ohio. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 8%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Ohio. 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 Ohio, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Eastern Gateway Community College Public, 2-year 43,555 7,755 18% 2 Ohio State University-Main Campus Public, 4-year or above 45,986 2,385 5% 3 Columbus State Community College Public, 2-year 16,911 1,207 7% 4 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Public, 4-year or above 27,188 1,040 4% 5 Cuyahoga Community College District Public, 2-year 12,745 1,038 8% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Ohio, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Eastern Gateway Community College Public, 2-year 3,623 489 13% 2 Cuyahoga Community College District Public, 2-year 2,961 185 6% 3 Lorain County Community College Public, 4-year or above 1,295 162 13% 4 Columbus State Community College Public, 2-year 2,713 147 5% 5 Sinclair Community College Public, 4-year or above 2,132 83 4% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Ohio, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Ohio State University-Main Campus Public, 4-year or above 11,286 522 5% 2 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Public, 4-year or above 6,125 212 3% 3 Miami University-Oxford Public, 4-year or above 3,925 209 5% 4 Kent State University at Kent Public, 4-year or above 4,956 195 4% 5 Ohio University-Main Campus Public, 4-year or above 6,228 195 3% 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.

L. Gregory Jones is President of Belmont University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Belmont University L. Gregory Jones President Institution website: https://www.belmont.edu/ Bio Page: https://president.belmont.edu/ L. Gregory Jones is President of Belmont University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

JP Deering serves as Communications Manager of Excelencia in Education. JP supports media relations and curating digital content. < Back to Our People Page JP Deering Communications Manager Excelencia in Education Email: jpdeering@edexcelencia.org Current Position: JP Deering serves as the Communications Manager of Excelencia in Education, supporting media relations and curating digital content. In addition, he also coordinates the development of the organization’s branding and style guide which is executed in partnership with Excelencia’s strategic plan. Past Experiences: JP comes to Excelencia from INTO University Partnerships, an international education organization where he served as corporate communications manager until 2022. He began his career in 2016 as a teaching assistant at the University of Kentucky, working primarily with international and post-traditional students on written and digital projects. JP earned his B.A. in English with a minor in politics from Centre College. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? Throughout my career, I have focused on one question: How do we make higher education in the U.S. work better for students it has not traditionally prioritized or intentionally served? Excelencia answers that question by shining a light on evidence-based practices and programs that work for Latino students and holding institutional leaders and decision makers accountable for meaningful transformation. I am eager to be a part of that effort. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Two words best describe working at Excelencia : growth and intentionality. Growth, because the innovators within this organization consistently push the envelope and challenge me to learn something new every day. Intentionality, because everyone here is committed and strategic when it comes to advancing Latino student success and building a community of common cause with like-minded leaders and advocates. This is not an organization of box-checkers.

Philomena V. Mantella is President of Grand Valley State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Grand Valley State University Philomena V. Mantella President Institution website: https://www.gvsu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.gvsu.edu/president/ Philomena V. Mantella is President of Grand Valley State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Intentionally Thriving Institution: 2025-2028 Grand Valley State University (GVSU), a public liberal arts university in West Michigan, serves over 19,000 undergraduates, with less than 10% identifying as Latino.

Montserrat Fuentes is President of St. Edward's University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page St. Edward's University Montserrat Fuentes President Institution website: https://www.stedwards.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.stedwards.edu/about/university-leadership/president Montserrat Fuentes is President of St. Edward's University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2023-2026 St. Edward’s University (St. Edward’s) is a private university in Austin, Texas that enrolls 2,766 undergraduate students, of whom 51% are Latino, and 40% are Pell Grant recipients. St. Edward’s was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, from which it acquired distinguishing characteristics: the courage to take risks, an international perspective and the commitment to provide educational opportunities for students of varied cultural, religious, educational and economic backgrounds.

Carine Feyten is Chancellor and President of Texas Woman's University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Texas Woman's University Carine Feyten Chancellor and President Institution website: https://twu.edu/ Bio Page: https://twu.edu/chancellor/about-chancellor-feyten/ Carine Feyten is Chancellor and President of Texas Woman's University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2023-2026 Texas Woman’s University (TWU), the nation’s first woman-focused university system, enrolls 10,150 undergraduate students, of whom 34% are Latino students and 56% are Pell Grant recipients. TWU’s academic and student life missions together is the overarching vision of a university experience that develops the whole person. Built on the cornerstones of experiential learning and leadership development, TWU aims to graduate thriving individuals who have a strong sense of community, health, prosperity, and purpose.

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.

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 Vermont. Latino College Completion - Vermont 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) 67% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 52% Of White adults Fast Facts Vermont had the 50th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 2% K-12 Population 2% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 0% Latino Students 26% White Students Median Age 35 Latinos 44 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 69% Latino Students 71% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 26%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Vermont. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 2%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Vermont. 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 Vermont, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Vermont Public, 4-year or above 11,081 504 5% 2 Middlebury College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 2,837 299 11% 3 Norwich University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 2,924 296 10% 4 Champlain College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 3,170 262 8% 5 Community College of Vermont Public, 2-year 3,754 133 4% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Vermont, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Community College of Vermont Public, 2-year 416 12 3% 2 Landmark College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 55 4 7% 3 Northern Vermont University Public, 4-year or above 41 3 7% 4 Vermont Technical College Public, 4-year or above 278 3 1% 5 Champlain College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 53 2 4% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Vermont, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Vermont Public, 4-year or above 2,632 109 4% 2 Middlebury College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 605 64 11% 3 Champlain College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 762 61 8% 4 Norwich University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 738 56 8% 5 Saint Michael's College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 321 22 7% 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.