Lori Suddick is President of College of Lake County and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page College of Lake County Lori Suddick President Institution website: https://www.clcillinois.edu/ Bio Page: http://www.clcillinois.edu/aboutclc/president Lori Suddick is President of College of Lake County and part of Excelencia in Action network.

< Back to News Page Trendsetting Institutions Earn the Seal of Excelencia for Going Beyond Enrollment to Intentionally Serve Latino, and All, Students Oct 1, 2024 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Excelencia in Education Certifies 17 Colleges and Universities That Detail Efforts to Become Learning Environments Where Latino Students Thrive WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 1, 2024) – Excelencia in Education announced today 17 colleges and universities have earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2024. The Seal is a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment and more intentionally serve Latino students. This year marks the organization’s 20th year of service to accelerate Latino student success in higher education. In 2018, Excelencia introduced the Seal of Excelencia to certify trendsetting colleges and universities for their efforts to become learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. The Seal of Excelencia framework represents a rigorous assessment of certified institutions’ intentionality and impact in improving outcomes such as retention, financial support, and degree completion for Latino students by aligning efforts across data, practice, and leadership. Seal certification remains valid for three years, after which institutions have the opportunity to recertify progress. Higher education, business, philanthropy, and government leaders in Excelencia’s community of common cause convened in Washington, D.C., for the announcement of eight institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia for the first time and nine that earned recertification. It was part of the organization’s National Policy Forum, focused on advancing policies to accelerate Latinos’ degree attainment and strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. These 17 Seal-certified institutions exemplify the kinds of programs and practices that inform good policy. “The colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia lead the charge in meeting our nation’s degree attainment goals,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education. “They demonstrate commitment to Latino student success through impact and ongoing self-assessment.” This year’s cohort of newly certified and recertified institutions belongs to a community of 46 colleges and universities that have earned the Seal. Together, they represent less than 1% of all institutions but enroll 17% and graduate 19% of all Latino students nationwide. The eight newly certified Seal of Excelencia institutions are: California State University, East Bay (CA) California State University, San Bernardino (CA) California State University San Marcos (CA) Cerritos College (CA) Hartnell College (CA) Pima Community College (AZ) San Francisco State University (CA) Sul Ross State University (TX) The nine recertified Seal of Excelencia institutions are: California State University, Fresno (CA) California State University, Fullerton (CA) Miami Dade College (FL) San Diego State University (CA) The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX) University of California, Merced (CA) University of California, Riverside (CA) University of Central Florida (FL) Wilbur Wright College (IL) “Today, we’re moving toward opportunity and success for more of our Latino students,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, “That’s thanks to the leadership and staff at Excelencia in Education. For twenty years, you’ve shown that when we do the hard work, when we’re relentless in our care for the seed of an idea, we can and will grow success for Latino students in higher education. Congratulations to all of the honorees – I really cannot wait to see where we’ll go together next.” Institutions in Excelencia’s national network of Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS) have committed to becoming learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive, and are eligible to apply for the Seal. To earn the Seal of Excelencia , they must demonstrate: An intentional, institutional focus on advancing Latino student success by aligning data and practice; Deliberate and ongoing assessment to identify and implement strategies that improve Latino student achievement; Leadership commitment to continue transforming into an environment where Latino students thrive; and, A long-term and unwavering commitment to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. “Students and families as well as leaders in philanthropy, business, and government look to colleges and universities that earned the Seal of Excelencia when making their institutional choices,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. “ Excelencia is proud to partner with institutions ensuring America’s bright future by advancing the talents of the Latino community.” Learn more about the institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia certification and recertification this year: EdExcelencia.org/seal-excelencia/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions About Excelencia in Education 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. In 2024, Excelencia marks 20 years of commitment to Latino student success. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org

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 the U.S. Latino College Completion - National 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) 28% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 48% Of White adults Fast Facts Latino Population 26% K-12 Population 20% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 33% Latino Students 38% White Students Median Age 31 Latinos 43 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 52% Latino Students 65% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 5%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in the United States. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 13%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in the Unites States. 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) Nationally, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions State Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Miami Dade College FL Public, 4-year or above 39,727 28,583 72% 2 Florida International University FL Public, 4-year or above 39,936 26,890 67% 3 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley TX Public, 4-year or above 26,402 24,721 94% 4 Lone Star College System TX Public, 4-year or above 49,093 21,610 44% 5 NUC University PR Private for-profit, 4-year or above 23,700 21,597 91% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics Nationally, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions State Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Miami Dade College FL Public, 4-year or above 11,361 8,043 71% 2 Dallas College TX Public, 4-year or above 9,786 4,456 46% 3 South Texas College TX Public, 4-year or above 3,918 3,771 96% 4 Lone Star College System TX Public, 4-year or above 8,409 3,359 40% 5 Valencia College FL Public, 4-year or above 9,137 3,170 35% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics Nationally, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions State Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Florida International University FL Public, 4-year or above 12,608 8,365 66% 2 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley TX Public, 4-year or above 4,924 4,598 93% 3 California State University-Northridge CA Public, 4-year or above 9,370 4,280 46% 4 California State University-Fullerton CA Public, 4-year or above 9,750 4,164 43% 5 University of Central Florida FL Public, 4-year or above 14,901 4,158 28% 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.

M.Brian Blake is President of Georgia State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Georgia State University M.Brian Blake President Institution website: https://www.gsu.edu/ Bio Page: https://president.gsu.edu/meet-the-president/m-brian-blake-biography/ M.Brian Blake is President of Georgia 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 Massachusetts. Latino College Completion - Massachusetts 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) 29% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 58% Of White adults Fast Facts Massachusetts had the 15th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 19% K-12 Population 13% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 14% Latino Students 25% White Students Median Age 29 Latinos 45 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 68% Latino Students 77% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 11%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Massachusetts. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 9%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Bunker Hill Community College Public, 2-year 8,006 2,319 29% 2 University of Massachusetts-Boston Public, 4-year or above 11,949 2,259 19% 3 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Public, 4-year or above 23,947 2,048 9% 4 Boston University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 17,501 1,881 11% 5 Northern Essex Community College Public, 2-year 3,884 1,788 46% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Massachusetts, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Bunker Hill Community College Public, 2-year 1,173 290 25% 2 Springfield Technical Community College Public, 2-year 780 186 24% 3 Northern Essex Community College Public, 2-year 478 159 33% 4 North Shore Community College Public, 2-year 719 157 22% 5 Middlesex Community College Public, 2-year 881 141 16% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Massachusetts, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Boston University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 4,417 517 12% 2 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Public, 4-year or above 5,970 422 7% 3 University of Massachusetts-Boston Public, 4-year or above 2,674 415 16% 4 University of Massachusetts-Lowell Public, 4-year or above 3,111 387 12% 5 Northeastern University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 4,295 316 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.

Kristi Kirk is President of Concordia University Texas and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Concordia University Texas Kristi Kirk President Institution website: https://www.concordia.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.concordia.edu/blog/ctx-names-dr-kirk-as-president.html Kristi Kirk is President of Concordia University Texas and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Rafael Ramírez-Rivera is President of Inter American University of Puerto Rico and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Inter American University of Puerto Rico Rafael Ramírez-Rivera President Institution website: https://www.arecibo.inter.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.inter.edu/en/news/confirman-al-doctor-rafael-ramirez-rivera-como-nuevo-presidente-de-la-universidad-interamericana/ Rafael Ramírez-Rivera is President of Inter American University of Puerto Rico and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Elizabeth Béjar is Provost, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer at Florida International University, and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Elizabeth Béjar Provost, Executive Vice President, and COO Florida International University Elizabeth B é jar, serves as Provost, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer at Florida International University , one of 46 institutions that has earned the Seal of Excelencia for striving to go beyond enrollment to intentionally SERVE Latino students . Dr. Béjar is a key member of the university’s executive leadership, overseeing an annual budget of approximately $1.4 billion and providing strategic oversight of the institution’s academic and student success portfolio. Her expertise lies in understanding the changing landscape of higher education; working to propel the value proposition of higher education with intentionality and through the lens of student learning and success and research excellence. Dr. Béjar leads critical strategic initiatives, including the development of the university’s 2030 Strategic Plan, along with an implementation plan to further FIU’s mission to curate a meaningful student experience that leads to excellent outcomes. She joined FIU in 2003 and has held several key leadership positions.

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 Montana. Latino College Completion - Montana 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) 28% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 45% Of White adults Fast Facts Montana had the 45th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 7% K-12 Population 4% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 12% Latino Students 38% White Students Median Age 25 Latinos 42 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 36% Latino Students 51% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 26%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Montana. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 15%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Montana. 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 Montana, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Montana State University Public, 4-year or above 14,329 745 5% 2 The University of Montana Public, 4-year or above 7,026 439 6% 3 Montana State University Billings Public, 4-year or above 2,818 183 6% 4 Rocky Mountain College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 807 72 9% 5 The University of Montana-Western Public, 4-year or above 1,283 62 5% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Montana, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Montana State University Billings Public, 4-year or above 220 20 9% 2 The University of Montana Public, 4-year or above 253 15 6% 3 Great Falls College Montana State University Public, 2-year 214 14 7% 4 Montana State University Public, 4-year or above 115 9 8% 5 Helena College University of Montana Public, 2-year 168 8 5% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Montana, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Montana State University Public, 4-year or above 2,572 98 4% 2 The University of Montana Public, 4-year or above 1,263 60 5% 3 Montana State University Billings Public, 4-year or above 408 21 5% 4 Carroll College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 254 10 4% 5 The University of Montana-Western Public, 4-year or above 189 8 4% 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.

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 Utah. Latino College Completion - Utah 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 50% Of White adults Fast Facts Utah had the 23rd largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 18% K-12 Population 15% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 26% Latino Students 36% White Students Median Age 26 Latinos 33 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 42% Latino Students 59% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 10%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Utah. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 17%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Utah. 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 Utah, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Western Governors University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 107,952 12,955 12% 2 Salt Lake Community College Public, 2-year 18,373 4,218 23% 3 University of Utah Public, 4-year or above 24,850 3,554 14% 4 Utah Valley University Public, 4-year or above 27,489 3,429 12% 5 Brigham Young University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 31,642 2,353 7% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Utah, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Utah Valley University Public, 4-year or above 5,422 584 11% 2 Salt Lake Community College Public, 2-year 3,184 580 18% 3 Weber State University Public, 4-year or above 2,986 287 10% 4 Dixie State University Public, 4-year or above 779 95 12% 5 Ensign College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 437 73 17% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Utah, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Western Governors University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 26,612 2,338 9% 2 University of Utah Public, 4-year or above 5,027 641 13% 3 Brigham Young University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 6,685 441 7% 4 Utah Valley University Public, 4-year or above 3,975 393 10% 5 Weber State University Public, 4-year or above 2,641 258 10% 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.

A Call to Action: Supporting Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Over the past few months, the constitutionality of HSIs has been challenged and there have been mixed messages from all branches of the federal government as to higher education’s ability to serve all students, including Latino students. As Excelencia in Education continues our commitment to meet our mission with clarity and purpose in serving Latino, and all, students with intentionality, we see three primary areas that require being informed to compel action: 1 Constitutional overreach: The Administration submitted its FY2026 budget request in May that level funds HSI programs, and both the Senate and House Appropriations Committees did the same as recently as last week. However, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) also announced last week that it would withhold Congressionally authorized and appropriated funds to institutions that had effectively competed for resources to provide a quality education. To be clear, the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) programs are still Constitutional and legal. Determining the Constitutionality of Congressional legislation is the responsibility of the Judicial branch, not the Executive branch. To stop funding and consider redistribution of Congressionally appropriated funds represents significant overreach from the Executive branch without regard to Congressional intent and due process for the hundreds of institutions and millions of students negatively impacted. 2 All means all: While some believe a focus on race and ethnicity divides us as a society, Excelencia in Education believes that acknowledging racial and ethnic trends describes our society in constructive ways. The use of data to identify factors affecting the success of specific student populations establishes a base of information from which to develop more effective policies, invest limited public resources, engage diverse stakeholders, and inform institutional transformation to more intentionally serve the evolving profiles of all students. As the fastest-growing segment of the college-going population, Latino students embody a post-traditional experience, navigating multiple pathways through higher education while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. Institutional efforts that evolve to support their success advances higher education in ways that can benefit all students. However, to know if we are actually serving all, we need to disaggregate data; if we see gaps in access or attainment, we need to address these gaps to ensure access to opportunity and accountability for outcomes truly represents all students. 3 HSIs fulfill a national need for an educated citizenry and workforce: The HSI programs fulfill a clear federal responsibility articulated in the Higher Education Act to expand opportunities for students across the country. Further, the amount of federal funds allotted for competitive HSI grants are small relative to the transformational work invested for innovation that improve educational outcomes for all enrolled students, regardless of race. HSIs operate with fewer resources yet serve the fastest-growing segment of the college-age population. Supporting HSIs is therefore a strategic investment in America’s competitiveness, democracy, and shared prosperity . Ending HSI support would not erase racial disparities; it would ignore them and weaken the nation’s ability to develop the educated workforce and informed citizenry it needs. Call to Action Serving Latino, and all, students remains our shared goal to keep our country strong. Today’s challenges are happening on our watch and we must take action to ensure our students have access to the quality education they deserve to strengthen their families, communities, and country. Contact your Congressional representative and let them know how this action is directly affecting your community, students, and families. If you don’t know who your representative is, look it up here . You can also call (202) 224-3121 to reach any congressional office. Share the positive impact HSI funds have made and be explicit of what will change without funds with the media, your constituents, and with Excelencia so that we can all bring attention to the value provided with the limited federal investment made in your institution to provide access to a quality education. If you don’t know if there is an HSI in your area, review the HSI list here. Inform and encourage your supporters, including community leaders, business partners, alumni, students, and others who also believe every student deserves equal opportunity to a quality education to reach out to their representatives on behalf of you and other institutions to put a voice to what will be lost if support of HSI funding is withdrawn. Your network of supporters has seen the impact your institutions have on students and the community. Excelencia Taking Action To support our community of common cause, Excelencia will also take action and continue to: Develop an agenda that includes new approaches to policy and practice that advances opportunity for Latinos and all. Articulate the value of intentionally serving Latino, and all, students to ensure equal opportunity and strengthen our communities, workforce and our country. Make the case about the importance of HSIs with data and promote the value add of limited federal resources in ensuring opportunity meets the talent in our communities. Promote the value of institutions that have earned the Seal of Excelencia . These are institutions taking responsibility and holding themselves accountable to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students to improve their access, persistence, degree attainment, and link to the workforce using data, practice, and leadership. Collaborate with other national organizations to offer resources and support to our communities. Inform philanthropy and funders of the current and evolving impact of federal decisions on the network and community and mobilize opportunities for financial support. Learn More About HSIs The Case for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): Opportunity Meeting Talent By: Deborah A. Santiago, CEO, Excelencia in Education In recent weeks, we’ve seen the current administration refuse to defend and, later, seek to end funding for Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) grant programs, arguing that they are racially discriminatory. Read Excelencia's latest case for HSIs and learn more about how these programs constitute a strategic, competitive, capacity-building investment in institutions that disproportionately educate America’s fastest-growing student population and why supporting them is a strategic investment in our democracy. Read Now | Sep 15, 2025 · 4 min read

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 Mississippi. Latino College Completion - Mississippi 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) 29% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 39% Of White adults Fast Facts Mississippi had the 41st largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 4% K-12 Population 3% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 35% Latino Students 45% White Students Median Age 26 Latinos 42 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 58% Latino Students 66% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 10%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Mississippi. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 8%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Mississippi. 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 Mississippi, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Mississippi Public, 4-year or above 15,994 683 4% 2 Mississippi State University Public, 4-year or above 18,451 679 4% 3 University of Southern Mississippi Public, 4-year or above 10,597 415 4% 4 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Public, 2-year 6,633 383 6% 5 Northwest Mississippi Community College Public, 2-year 5,212 279 5% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Mississippi, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Public, 2-year 1,888 99 5% 2 Northwest Mississippi Community College Public, 2-year 1,060 46 4% 3 Hinds Community College Public, 2-year 1,410 45 3% 4 Itawamba Community College Public, 2-year 1,093 31 3% 5 Holmes Community College Public, 2-year 1,196 25 2% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Mississippi, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Mississippi Public, 4-year or above 4,422 148 3% 2 Mississippi State University Public, 4-year or above 4,422 106 2% 3 University of Southern Mississippi Public, 4-year or above 2,620 104 4% 4 Delta State University Public, 4-year or above 574 30 5% 5 Mississippi College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 730 27 4% 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.