Minita Ramirez is President of Laredo College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Laredo College Minita Ramirez President Institution website: https://www.laredo.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.laredo.edu/about/administration/presidents-office/index.html Minita Ramirez is President of Laredo College 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 Illinois. Latino College Completion - Illinois 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) 25% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 50% Of White adults Fast Facts Illinois had the 6th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 24% K-12 Population 18% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 29% Latino Students 40% White Students Median Age 30 Latinos 43 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 56% Latino Students 70% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 11%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Illinois. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 14%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Illinois. 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 Illinois, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Illinois Chicago Public, 4-year or above 22,011 7,811 35% 2 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Public, 4-year or above 33,889 4,759 14% 3 College of DuPage Public, 2-year 14,801 4,079 28% 4 College of Lake County Public, 2-year 9,124 3,980 44% 5 DePaul University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 14,059 3,093 22% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Illinois, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Public, 2-year 1,283 637 50% 2 City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Public, 2-year 898 538 60% 3 College of DuPage Public, 2-year 2,223 530 24% 4 William Rainey Harper College Public, 2-year 1,921 475 25% 5 College of Lake County Public, 2-year 1,233 432 35% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Illinois, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Illinois Chicago Public, 4-year or above 4,974 1,474 30% 2 Chamberlain University-Illinois Private for-profit, 4-year or above 8,124 1,061 13% 3 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Public, 4-year or above 8,301 944 11% 4 DePaul University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 3,335 610 18% 5 Northern Illinois University Public, 4-year or above 3,003 567 19% 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.

Jermaine Williams is President of Montgomery College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Montgomery College Jermaine Williams President Institution website: https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/index.html Bio Page: https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/about-mc/office-of-the-president/presidents-biography.html Jermaine Williams is President of Montgomery College 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 Puerto Rico. Latino College Completion - Puerto Rico 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) 40% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 62% Of White adults Fast Facts Latino Population 99% K-12 Population 99% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 55% Latino Students - White Students Median Age 44 Latinos 53 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 42% Latino Students 47% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 55%-points higher than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Puerto Rico. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 5%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Puerto Rico. 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 Puerto Rico, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 NUC University Private for-profit, 4-year or above 23,700 21,597 91% 2 University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Public, 4-year or above 11,050 10,316 93% 3 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 8,772 8,772 100% 4 University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Public, 4-year or above 10,133 8,531 84% 5 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 6,116 6,116 100% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Puerto Rico, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 NUC University Private for-profit, 4-year or above 1,108 1,051 95% 2 Columbia Central University-Caguas Private for-profit, 4-year or above 438 438 100% 3 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 403 403 100% 4 EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc-San Juan Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 296 295 100% 5 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 223 223 100% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Puerto Rico, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Public, 4-year or above 1,853 1,766 95% 2 NUC University Private for-profit, 4-year or above 1,680 1,508 90% 3 University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Public, 4-year or above 1,663 1,347 81% 4 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 1,296 1,296 100% 5 Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 1,136 1,136 100% 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.

Monica Torres is Chancellor of New Mexico State University-Dona Ana and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Monica Torres Chancellor Institution website: https://dacc.nmsu.edu/ Bio Page: https://dacc.nmsu.edu/about/chancellors-page/presidents-page.html Monica Torres is Chancellor of New Mexico State University-Dona Ana and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Daniel J. Elsener is President of Marian University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Marian University Daniel J. Elsener President Institution website: https://www.marian.edu/index.php Bio Page: https://www.marian.edu/about-marian/leadership Daniel J. Elsener is President of Marian University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

< Back to News Page Over 1,000 Colleges and Universities are Hispanic-Serving Institutions or on the Cusp of Becoming HSIs Mar 20, 2024 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HSls Represent 20% of Colleges Yet Enroll Over 60% of All Latino Undergraduates WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 20, 2024) – Excelencia in Education has calculated lists of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) for more than 20 years because these institutions disproportionately enroll and graduate Latino students — one of the fastest growing populations in the country. Today, Excelencia announces the release of new lists and a factbook of HSls, which show 600 colleges and universities met the enrollment definition of an HSI and 412 more came close to doing so (Emerging HSIs). Combined, over 1,000 institutions are HSIs or on the cusp of becoming HSIs. The number of HSIs increased in 2022-23. HSls are defined in federal legislation as having 25% or more undergraduate Hispanic student full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment. Given this definition, the number of HSIs changes every year. “Sharing an annual list of HSIs broadly informs the field of where Hispanics are enrolling,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia . “ Excelencia takes this a step further by recognizing institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Hispanic students through the Seal of Excelencia .” This year, Excelencia in Education marks 20 years of service to our mission — accelerating Latino student success in higher education. We believe institutions must transform to address structural limits and become learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. To focus on this, Excelencia established the Seal of Excelencia , a national certification for colleges and universities that more intentionally SERVE Latino students. Among 600 HSIs, only 37 have earned the Seal of Excelencia . Key findings from Excelencia’s HSI analysis include: HSls represent 20% of colleges yet enroll over 60% of all Latino undergraduates. Combined, HSIs enrolled 1.4 million Latino FTE undergraduate students. Almost half (46%) of students at HSIs are Latino. Almost 70% of HSls are public and 60% are four-year institutions. HSls have widening reach — they are located in 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Just over 40% of the nation’s HSIs (252) offered graduate programs (gHSIs). Beyond HSIs, the number of Emerging HSls (eHSls) — a categorization developed by Excelencia to track colleges approaching the 25% Latino student enrollment threshold — also grew from 401 to 412. eHSIs represented another 13% of all institutions and enrolled 15% of Latino students. Excelencia is the expert source of information conducting analysis of HSIs and has released annual lists of HSIs, eHSIs, and gHSIs since its founding to provide federal agencies, researchers, funders, and others an up-to-date, credible list of institutions that meet the enrollment criteria for HSIs. Access the 2022-23 HSI, eHSI, and gHSI lists: https://www.edexcelencia.org/research-policy/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis About Excelencia in Education In 2024, Excelencia in Education marks 20 years of service to accelerate Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, advancing institutional practices, and collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia has established a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. . For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org

Star Rivera-Lacey is Superintendent/President of Palomar Community College District and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Palomar Community College District Star Rivera-Lacey Superintendent/President Institution website: https://www.palomar.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.palomar.edu/presidentsoffice/ Star Rivera-Lacey is Superintendent/President of Palomar Community College District and part of Excelencia in Action network.

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. About A Transformative Leader in Higher 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. DISCOVER OUR STORY What We Do Excelencia meets the opportunity of accelerating Latino, and all, student success in higher education with a portfolio linking leadership, data, and evidence-based practices in partnership with colleges and universities across the country. We build momentum for institutional efforts that will improve Latinos’ higher educational achievement at a national scale by: Leading a community of common cause made up of professionals committed to intentionally serving Latino, and all, students. Informing change agents with data-driven analysis that compels action to improve the educational achievement of Latinos. Promoting education policies and institutional practices that advance Latinos’ academic achievement. LEARN MORE The Excelencia Team Excelencia’s team is why Excelencia works. Our leadership and staff are dedicated to accelerating Latino student success in higher education and ensuring America’s future with the talents of the Latino community. MEET OUR PEOPLE Support Excelencia in Education When you invest in Excelencia , you support our work to empower more Latino, and all, students to graduate and strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. SUPPORT OUR MISSION

Excelencia's Policy Fellows come from trendsetting colleges and universities that have earned the Seal of Excelencia. They draw from their expertise at the campus level to engage Excelencia’s policy agenda at the national level. Excelencia Policy Fellows Excelencia in Education selected nine higher education professionals for our 2025 cohort of Policy Fellows. They represent trendsetting colleges and universities that have earned the Seal of Excelencia , a national certification for institutions that go beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students as measured across key areas in data, practice, and leadership. For over 20 years, Excelencia has informed student-centered policies to ensure Latino, and all, students in higher education have access to a quality education to increase their success. As part of this work, we are increasing the voices of Latino leaders to inform higher education policy. Our third cohort of Policy Fellows are part of a community of practice and will draw from their campus-level expertise to explore national-level perspectives and engage with Excelencia’s national policy agenda . In the process, the Fellows will gain valuable insights into national higher education policy through a Latino lens, enhance their professional development in serving Latino students, contribute their voices to addressing critical issues, and promote data-driven policy development and implementation. 2025 Policy Fellows Nina Garcia Chief of Staff, California State University, Fullerton Rosalind Ong Dean for Performance Excellence, San Antonio College Moises Gutierrez Dean of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, Long Beach City College Ricardo Pitones Assistant Director of Latinx Community Resource Center and HSI Student Initiatives, California State University, Fullerton Michelle Hasendonckx Assistant Vice President for Student Academic Success & Equity Initiatives, California State University Channel Islands Roberto Villegas-Gold Department Chair of Counseling, Phoenix College Tiburcio Lince Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Grand Valley State University Edna Martinez Associate Vice President, California State University, San Bernardino

A one-of-a-kind ceramic, Excelencia’s Tree of Life encapsulates our organization’s history and mission. Excelencia's Tree of Life As Excelencia in Education’s first 10 years of service came to a close in 2014, Co-founders Sarita Brown and Deborah Santiago considered a meaningful way to mark the organization’s growth into a recognized leader accelerating Latino student success in higher education. They commissioned San Antonio-based artist Verónica Castillo Salas, a third-generation sculptor and award-winning ceramicist, to create a work of art that reflected our mission and invoked our community, culture, and roots. The result was Excelencia’s Tree of Life, now on display in our office in Washington, D.C. The sculpture is similar to the artist’s Tree of Life created for the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino’s debut exhibition in 2022. Learn more about the significance and symbolism of the artwork below. Significance A one-of-a-kind ceramic, Excelencia’s Tree of Life encapsulates our organization’s history and mission. The sculpture is a depiction of a large, healthy tree, with Excelencia’s co-founders at its base holding a heart, representing our passion for education. Along its branches, literal blossoms appear interspersed with Latino and Latina college graduates and professionals — blossoms Excelencia seeks to grow by serving our mission — who contribute their talents and energies to their communities and country. Through this artwork, we communicate our unfaltering belief in what can be accomplished by planting a seed and nourishing it to grow through support, collaboration, and hard work. Since its installation, Excelencia’s Tree of Life has become a focal point embodying Excelencia’s mission and impact. Taking selfies and group pictures with it is now a tradition for collaborators who travel to the organization’s D.C. office. Like those who gravitate toward Excelencia’s Tree of Life, our founders, staff, Board, and supporters remain committed to linking leadership, data, and practice to accelerate Latino student success and ensure America’s future with the talents of the Latino community. Symbolism In creating Excelencia’s Tree of Life, Verónica Castillo Salas was inspired by the world’s oldest and largest tree, El Árbol del Tule, in her parents’ homeland of Mexico. Castillo shared insights into the symbolism of the work: Giant trees, like El Árbol del Tule , are a testimony of history. In the past, our ancestors would put memorials on this tree. It was a ‘tree of life’ because it symbolized lives and generations of strength and longevity. This giant tree began as a seed once. It was planted, and that related to Excelencia’s story; the dreams of these two women, who planted with passion and love a seed about education to help young Latinos. They planted this dream. They embraced it, and it grew. I read the materials Excelencia publishes and saw how many Latinos have entered the professional ranks and succeeded at the highest levels, so I wanted to visualize that they become lawyers and doctors and architects... When these students benefit and move on, they too will plant seeds and keep growing and spreading life in the future. I hope they never forget the seed where they came from and how Excelencia helped them.

Hear from Presidents' perspectives how they are leading higher education transformation to SERVE Latinos. Presidential Perspectives: The Seal of Excelencia Leading Higher Education Transformation to SERVE Latinos What does the Seal stand for among higher education leaders? The presidents and chancellors of the trendsetting colleges and universities certified with the Seal of Excelencia have taken responsibility for advancing Latino student success, and they are ensuring America’s bright future. Each looks beyond enrollment to establish and implement strategies and practices that truly SERVE Latino students while serving all. Serving Latino Students with Intentionality Where does intentionality fit into Seal-certified institutions’ Latino student success efforts? Beyond an HSI designation, which considers enrollments alone, the Seal of Excelencia requires institutions to innovate and implement approaches to accelerate Latino student success with intentionality. By focusing efforts on evidence-based practices, Seal-certified colleges and universities catalyze meaningful change and outcomes for their Latino populations. Hear from the below Seal-certified institutions leadership: Heather Wilson , President of The University of Texas at El Paso Kelly Damphousse , President of Texas State University Juan Sánchez Muñoz , Chancellor of the University of California, Merced Mike Muñoz , Superintendent President of Long Beach City College Ensuring Our Country’s Future How does the Seal propel institutions, and the U.S., toward a brighter future? As the U.S. changes, so too must higher education. Latinos constitute the country’s fastest growing college-age population, and Seal-certified institutions not only retain and graduate Latino students, but support them to achieve their career ambitions after college. In fostering Latino talent, their efforts reinforce America’s future workforce and civic leadership. Hear from the below Seal-certified institutions leadership: Havidán Rodríguez , President of the University at Albany, SUNY William Serrata , President of El Paso Community College Philomena Mantella , President of Grand Valley State University Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval , President of California State University, Fresno Zulma Toro , President of Central Connecticut State University* * President from an Institution that is aspiring to be Seal-certified Collaborating in Common Cause Why is working together in common cause important for Seal-certified institutions? Seal-certified institutions do not work in isolation. Rather, they belong to a community of 30 trendsetting colleges and universities (and counting), each of which is committed to Latino student success. In addition to values, they share and promulgate strategies and practices that strengthen their efforts to advance Latino student achievement. Hear from the below Seal-certified institutions leadership: Nancy Gonzalez , Executive Vice President and University Provost of Arizona State University Guy Bailey , President of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Madeline Pumariega , President of Miami Dade College Richard Yao , President of California State University, Channel Islands Serving Latino, and All, Students What does it mean to accelerate Latino student success while serving all students? When they commit to making their campuses places where Latino students can thrive, Seal-certified institutions also commit to ensuring all students can thrive. Their focus on proven practices that address Latino students’ unique needs informs and improves their approach to student success broadly. Hear from the below Seal-certified institutions leadership: Cynthia Larive , Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz David Potash , President of Wilbur Wright College Juan Sánchez Muñoz , Chancellor of the University of California, Merced Richard Yao , President of California State University, Channel Islands An Ongoing Journey To Latino Student Success Why do institutional leaders begin and continue their journeys to and beyond Seal certification? The Seal provides a framework that treats the institutional transformation necessary to SERVE Latino students as a journey. That means supporting institutions at the start of their journey toward Seal certification to evaluate their efforts, as well as ensuring those further along in their journey measure progress and deliver on their commitment to Latino student success. Hear from the below Seal-certified institutions leadership: Cynthia Larive , Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz Nancy Gonzalez , Executive Vice President and University Provost of Arizona State University Taylor Eighmy , President of The University of Texas at San Antonio Anthony Munroe , President of CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College* * President from an Institution that is aspiring to be Seal-certified