Richard Muma is President of Wichita State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Wichita State University Richard Muma President Institution website: https://www.wichita.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.wichita.edu/administration/president/rick_muma_bio.php Richard Muma is President of Wichita State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Vinicio J. López is President of Evergreen Valley College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Evergreen Valley College Vinicio J. López President Institution website: https://www.evc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.evc.edu/people/vinicio-lopez Vinicio J. López is President of Evergreen Valley College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

< Back to News Page Excelencia in Education Recognizes Programs Increasing Access to Excellence in Higher Education Aug 6, 2025 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Twelve Programs Earn Recognition as Examples of Excelencia Finalists for Evidence-Based Practices Making a Positive Impact on Student Success WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 6, 2025) – Excelencia in Education announced today the finalists for the 2025 Examples of Excelencia , recognizing 12 programs that demonstrate intentionality and impact in improving Latino, and all, student success in higher education. Examples of Excelencia is 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 2005, Excelencia has reviewed over 2,500 program submissions, recognized over 400 programs for their proven impact, and raised and awarded more than $2.2 million to programs making a positive difference for students across the nation. Latinos represent a post-traditional student body, often navigating multiple paths through higher education while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. This year’s finalists exemplify an intentional commitment to advancing Latino and other post-traditional students in higher education, offering evidence-based practices that can inform and guide student-centered efforts. These programs expand access to a quality college education by strengthening student transition and retention through innovative, sustainable, culturally responsive efforts. These practices include bridge programs, counseling and advising services, engaging families through bilingual outreach, and targeted mentoring and coaching that prepare students to graduate workforce-ready. “ Excelencia promotes what works for Latino, and all, students nationally because of our commitment to excellence in higher education that results in student success,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia . “The programs recognized as finalists this year are meeting the moment and ensuring access to quality education. We celebrate their efforts and encourage others to learn what is making a positive difference for students.” This year’s finalists were recognized from submissions representing 13 states and the District of Columbia, and they span four levels: associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organizations. Programmatic details about the finalists will be featured in Excelencia’s Growing What Works Database — the nation's only online and searchable database designed for institutional leaders, funders, policymakers, and others seeking evidence-based practices that improve opportunities and outcomes for Latino, and all, students in higher education. On September 29, Excelencia will announce the 2025 Examples of Excelencia , bringing national attention to the four programs that have earned this recognition among the 12 finalists. Programs will be recognized at Celebración de Excelencia , which is part of Excelencia ’s multi-day, invitational Fall Convening in Washington, D.C. The event is the meeting place for leaders from colleges, universities, evidence-based programs, philanthropy, policy, and business sharing a common cause to promote excellence and cultivate talent for America’s future workforce and civic leadership. Additionally, Excelencia in Education has recognized two Programs to Watch for their promising efforts already making a positive impact on student success as they continue to build their evidence of effectiveness. The 2025 Examples of Excelencia finalists are: ASSOCIATE LEVEL: GM ASEP, Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA College Access Latinx Initiative (CALI), Portland Community College, Portland, OR BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: Algebra Recitation Program, Aurora University, Aurora, IL ÁNDALE Latino Research Training Program, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA GRADUATE LEVEL: Crossing Latinidades Humanities Research Initiative, University of Illinois, Chicago, Chicago, IL LAWtina, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ The Bridge-to-Math-Doctorate Program, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS: Avanza RGV: Accelerating Latino Prosperity through Education & Career Pathways, Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA), Mercedes, TX CREAR Futuros, Hispanic Federation, New York City, NY College Success Program, Latino Education Advancement Foundation (LEAF), San Jose, CA Signature Family Engagement Program (SFEP), Parent Institute for Quality Education, National City, CA Hermanitas and College Success Programs, MANA de San Diego, San Diego, CA The 2025 Examples of Excelencia Programs to Watch are: Dual Language Liberal Arts Transfer Degree Pathway (DL LAT), North Shore Community College, Lynn, MA Arizona Strategic Success Network, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Learn more about the 2025 finalists for the Examples of Excelencia : EdExcelencia.org/what-works-examples-excelencia/examples-excelencia-finalists About Excelencia in Education Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers transforming higher education 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 ensures access to excellence by promoting student achievement, informing educational policies, and advancing evidence-based practices to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org

Cintia Elenstar serves as Director of Institutional Programs of Excelencia in Education. Cintia implements strategies to advance and scale three national programs: Examples of Excelencia, Growing What Works, and Programs for Latino Student Success. < Back to Our People Page Cintia Elenstar Director of Institutional Programs Excelencia in Education Email: celenstar@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As Director of Institutional Programs, Cintia implements strategies to advance and scale three national programs: Examples of Excelencia , Growing What Works, and Programs for Latino Student Success. Cintia supports a team that identifies, aggregates, and promotes evidence-based practices that intentionally SERVE Latino students. She also works collaboratively with Excelencia colleagues to develop engagement opportunities for action-oriented program leaders so that they can leverage their collective expertise and amplify their efforts to accelerate Latino student success. Past Experiences: Cintia’s restless curiosity and passion for making a positive difference in the world have led her to explore various professional and personal opportunities. Before joining Excelencia , she was the executive director of a Florida nonprofit supporting primarily low-income Latino students and their families on their journey to higher education, where she established donor management and data collection processes for effective program evaluation and improvement. Prior to this, Cintia served as Education Administrator at a botanical garden, taught English as a second language to new US residents in underserved communities, and worked as a legal assistant supervisor in a Public Defender’s Office. Before coming to the US, Cintia founded and managed a travel company in Argentina and, through this experience, gained insight into the importance of customer service, how to lead a team effectively, and the value of empowering others. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? As a first-generation Latina immigrant, I strongly connect with Excelencia’s mission. I have experienced the life-transforming opportunities that higher education brings about, and it is an honor to work alongside a talented and passionate team, practitioners, and institutional leaders to advance educational achievement for Latinos in our nation. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? A high level of professionalism, commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and exemplary leadership is what I experience working at Excelencia . Every day, I am challenged and inspired to do my best. It is energizing to be part of a high-performing team with a strong foundation working towards a common purpose.

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 Iowa. Latino College Completion - Iowa 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) 26% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 44% Of White adults Fast Facts Iowa had the 36th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 11% K-12 Population 7% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 31% Latino Students 43% White Students Median Age 23 Latinos 41 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 59% Latino Students 73% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 12%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Iowa. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 14%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Iowa. 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 Iowa, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Iowa Public, 4-year or above 21,198 1,811 9% 2 Iowa State University Public, 4-year or above 25,537 1,790 7% 3 Des Moines Area Community College Public, 2-year 10,175 852 8% 4 Western Iowa Tech Community College Public, 2-year 2,657 587 22% 5 Kirkwood Community College Public, 2-year 7,778 548 7% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Iowa, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Des Moines Area Community College Public, 2-year 1,996 125 6% 2 Kirkwood Community College Public, 2-year 1,625 110 7% 3 Eastern Iowa Community College District Public, 2-year 835 94 11% 4 Western Iowa Tech Community College Public, 2-year 417 59 14% 5 Iowa Central Community College Public, 2-year 732 48 7% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Iowa, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Iowa Public, 4-year or above 5,283 408 8% 2 Iowa State University Public, 4-year or above 6,405 345 5% 3 University of Northern Iowa Public, 4-year or above 2,227 92 4% 4 Upper Iowa University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 933 74 8% 5 Drake University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 628 49 8% 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.

American University is affiliated with Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page American University * * President Institution website: https://www.american.edu/ Bio Page: American University is affiliated with Excelencia in Action network.

Jana Schwartz is President of Paradise Valley Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Paradise Valley Community College Jana Schwartz President Institution website: https://www.paradisevalley.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.paradisevalley.edu/leadership/dr-jana-schwartz Jana Schwartz is President of Paradise Valley Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Anthony E. Munroe is President of CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College Anthony E. Munroe President Institution website: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/about-bmcc/college-administration/anthony-e-munroe/ Anthony E. Munroe is President of CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Pam Y. Eddinger is President of Bunker Hill Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Bunker Hill Community College Pam Y. Eddinger President Institution website: https://www.bhcc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.bhcc.edu/about/officeofthepresident/ Pam Y. Eddinger is President of Bunker Hill Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Rebekah Woods is President of Columbia Basin College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Columbia Basin College Rebekah Woods President Institution website: https://www.columbiabasin.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.columbiabasin.edu/connect/about-cbc/our-leadership/meet-the-leadership-team.html Rebekah Woods is President of Columbia Basin College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Scott Thayer is President of Cypress College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Cypress College Scott Thayer President Institution website: https://www.cypresscollege.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.cypresscollege.edu/office-of-the-president/#:~:text=in%20January%2C%202024.-,Dr.,needs%20resources%20in%20prior%20roles Scott Thayer is President of Cypress College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Massey Villarreal is Chief Executive Officer & President of Precision Task Group, Inc., and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Massey Villarreal Chief Executive Officer & President Precision Task Group, Inc. Massey Villarreal is Chief Executive Officer & President of Precision Task Group, Inc. He is a respected business leader and a long-time advocate for the Latino community and higher education. Villarreal is immediate past chairman of the Texas Association of Business (TAB) and serves on the Texas Association of Community College Business Advisory Council, the WWII Museum, and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) National Council. He was the first person to serve as chairman of a local, state, and national Hispanic chamber, including the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the Texas State University System Board of Regents.