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The Excelencia Fellowship Program engages leaders from Seal of Excelencia certified institutions in the E-Action network that have demonstrated data-informed, student-centered, continuous improvement to ensure their students thrive. The Excelencia Fellowship Program The Excelencia Fellowship Program engages leaders from Seal of Excelencia certified institutions in the Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network that have demonstrated data-informed, student-centered, continuous improvement to ensure their students thrive. These institutions nominate campus leaders who exemplify their commitment to intentionally serving Latino, and all, students. In turn, Excelencia puts a select few on a path to serve on the frontline of higher education transformation through the program. Fellows participate in programming that deepens their understanding of federal higher education policy and national strategy and leverages the Seal of Excelencia framework so they can strengthen institutional effectiveness and build a strong community of practice. In the three years since the program began, several leaders have been promoted and at least one Fellow has become the president of an institution. Excelencia selected 13 higher education leaders for our 2026 cohort of Fellows, increasing their voices to inform policy and practice 2026 Excelencia Fellows Claudia Aguilar Interim Chief Innovation Officer, Long Beach City College Yvania Garcia-Pusateri Director, Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers, California State University, Fullerton Victor Munoz Director of First Year Experience, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College April Aultman Becker Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Sul Ross State University Alam Hasson Vice Provost, California State University, Fresno Maira Rodriguez Director of Virtual Support, Pima Community College Gilbert V. Castillo, Jr. Dean for Performance Excellence, San Antonio College Julia Heck Associate Vice President for Student Life and Support Programs and Dean of Students, California State University Channel Islands Vanessa Sansone Assistant Department Chair and Associate Professor, The University of Texas at San Antonio Luis Duarte Executive Director of the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES) Program, University of Illinois Chicago Patricia López Associate Professor and Chair, California State University, Fresno Marla Franco Special Advisor, Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives, University of Arizona Deanna Merino Contino Associate Vice President, Student Life, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

From Washington, D.C., to Texas, to California, Excelencia in Education’s team collaborates with leaders in higher education, philanthropy, business, and government to ensure Latino, and all, students are served with intentionality and impact. Our People From Washington, D.C., to Texas, to California, Excelencia in Education’s team collaborates with leaders in higher education, philanthropy, business, and government to ensure Latino, and all, students are served with intentionality and impact. Click on the tabs below to explore. Excelencia Leadership Excelencia Staff Board of Directors Sarita E. Brown President Excelencia in Education Deborah A. Santiago Chief Executive Officer Excelencia in Education Guadalupe Acosta Digital Manager Lily Cuellarsola Senior Research Manager Dorian Díaz Director of Capacity Building Honee Herrera Gil Institutional Capacity Manager Dianey Leal Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships Noé Ortiz Senior Manager, Program Operations Josué Romualdo Community of Practice Manager Melva Yanes Finance Manager Jessica Marie Arguello Administration Manager, Institutional Engagement Matt Cuozzo Chief of Staff Olivia Glad Administration Manager, Institutional Programs Anna Israel Development Coordinator Madelyn Lucas Policy Analyst Alexis Padilla-Torres Institutional Engagement Manager Iris E. Sanchez Senior Manager of Institutional Engagement Alexia Carrillo Villalobos Policy & Research Analyst Elizabeth Davis Director of Finance Jennifer Gomez-Chavez Vice President for Institutional Engagement Emily Labandera Director of Research Joey Marin Executive Assistant & Board Liaison Eyra Pérez Vice President of Institutional Capacity Val Tovar Evidence-Based Practices Manager Cassy Castañón Capacity Building Manager JP Deering Director of Communications Karla Hernandez DeCuir Director of Institutional Engagement Jessica Leach Grants Manager Cindy Mendiola-Perez Director of Institutional Capacity Adriana Rodriguez Chief Operating Officer & Vice President for Institutional Programs Iris Yan Research Analyst Massey Villarreal Chair Chief Executive Officer & President Precision Task Group, Inc. Sarita E. Brown Board Member President Excelencia in Education Havidán Rodríguez Board Member President University at Albany - State University of New York Elizabeth Béjar Vice Chair Provost, Executive Vice President, and COO Florida International University Andrés Henríquez Board Member Director of STEM Education Strategy, US Division Education Development Center, Inc. Cynthia Teniente-Matson Board Member President San José State University Carlos E. Santiago Past Chair Commissioner Emeritus Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) Verónica Herrero Board Member Executive Vice Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago President, City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Geronimo M. Rodriguez Jr. Secretary/Treasurer Former Chief Advocacy Officer Ascension Texas Jane Oates Board Member Senior Policy Advisor WorkingNation Employment Opportunities Join Excelencia’s Team Excelencia in Education’s team is expanding to serve our mission of accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success, to close postsecondary attainment gaps and advance our families, communities, and nation. Find current opportunities to join our team below. Current Opportunities This page will be updated as opportunities become available.

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. Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino, and all, student success, enhancing our workforce, leadership, and economy. LEARN MORE Our Tactical Plan for Latino Student Success How does Excelencia advance Latino, and all, student success in higher education? Inform Excelencia uses a Latino lens to inform and compel action to serve Latino, and all, students. LEARN MORE Promote Excelencia brings attention to what works to improve Latino student success amongst all students served. LEARN MORE Organize Excelencia organizes leaders with a common cause of accelerating Latino student success to benefit all. LEARN MORE Advocate Excelencia advocates for action and investment that intentionally serves Latino, and all, students. LEARN MORE Ensuring America’s Future: Latino College Completion 2023 Increasing Latino and other post-traditional students' college completion is key to future prosperity. Excelencia in Education remains committed to ensuring America’s future by increasing Latino college completion. Excelencia’s most recent analysis of public data on enrollment, degree completion, and degree attainment shows that degree completion gaps have increased between Latino students and their White peers. To close the gap in degree completion, the United States requires a tactical plan to reach the Latino degree attainment goal of 6.2 million degrees earned by 2030. This plan must include strategies to help Latinos accelerate degree completion while supporting increased attainment for all students. LEARN MORE HSI Lists: 2024-25 What is included in Excelencia’s release and how can I learn more using this analysis? 631 HSIs Hispanic-Serving Institutions LEARN MORE 427 eHSIs Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions LEARN MORE 276 gHSIs Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs LEARN MORE Factbook Learn more from Excelencia’s summary of HSIs, eHSIs, and gHSIs in the HSIs Factbook . LEARN MORE Dashboard Explore the 2024-25 data on HSIs in Excelencia’s new HSI interactive dashboard. LEARN MORE Infographic Visualize fast facts with Excelencia’s 2024-25 HSIs Infographic . LEARN MORE StoryMap Learn more about the 31-year evolution of HSIs through Excelencia’s HSI StoryMap LEARN MORE Seal of Excelencia Certified Institutions In 2025, five institutions earned the Seal of Excelencia , five earned recertification, and eight were recognized with the new Intentionally Thriving Institution certification, recognizing their continuing journey to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students, and emphasizing their impact in preparing students for and connecting them to the workforce. These 18 institutions belong to a community of 45 trendsetting colleges and universities that have earned the Seal by demonstrating intentionality and impact in serving Latino, and all, students through data, practice, and leadership. LEARN MORE 2025 Examples of Excelencia Announced After a rigorous review process, four programs are recognized as national exemplars of evidence-based practices that improve student success in higher education. Learn about the 2025 Examples: General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (GM ASEP) , Cerritos College - Norwalk, CA (Associate Level) ÁNDALE Latino Research Training Program , California State University, Long Beach - Long Beach, CA (Baccalaureate Level) Crossing Latinidades Humanities Research Initiative , University of Illinois Chicago - Chicago, IL (Graduate Level) Avanza RGV , Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) - Mercedes, TX (CBO Level) Learn more about the 2025 Examples of Excelencia. Latest from Excelencia Stay informed with the latest research and analysis from Excelencia . Out of gallery Expand Your Knowledge with Excelencia How does intentionally SERVING Latino students benefit our society? Latinos are a young, fast-growing population, yet degree completion gaps have increased between Latinos and their White peers. Excelencia’s analysis shows that closing the gap in degree completion by accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success will strengthen America’s workforce and civic leadership. See Our Analysis How can we inform educational practice and policy to facilitate positive change on behalf of Latino students? Excelencia’s research provides a basis of information on the status of Latino students in higher education from which to compel positive action by institutional leaders and measure progress toward accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success. From Latino enrollment and workforce participation, to how Latino students pay for college, to mapping Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) , this research informs and compels action. Explore Our Interactive Dashboard What works to improve Latino degree attainment, and how can we expand these practices? In 2005, we launched Examples of Excelencia — 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 its inception, Excelencia has reviewed over 2,500 program submissions and recognized over 400 programs for their proven impact. Contact us if you’d like to connect with evidence-based programs or learn more about their work and impact. How does Excelencia catalyze institutional transformation for student success in higher education? In addition to building the Excelencia in Action network, our capacity building opportunities and Seal of Excelencia certification support and reinforce institutional capacity to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students using comprehensive strategies that align data, practice, and leadership. Discover the Seal What are Excelencia’s policy priorities for supporting Latino student success in higher education? Excelencia focuses on four policy priorities for closing gaps in degree attainment and increasing educational and economic opportunity for Latino and post-traditional students while increasing all student success in higher education: 1) workforce, 2) institutional capacity, 3) college affordability, and 4) retention and transfer. Review Our Policy Agenda

This report highlights our impact and shared commitment to transforming higher education for Latinos in ways that benefit all students, communities, and our country. Annual Impact Report DOWNLOAD 2025 Last year was marked by significant change for higher education. Excelencia in Education led through this pivotal moment — responding to and strategizing with institutions navigating our evolving national landscape. Our community of practice continued to shape a future of accountability within higher education to provide value for every student and ensure America’s future. Our 2025 Impact Report captures the progress we made last year, including: Centering post-traditional student and institutional leadership voices in new research on financial aid and college affordability; Elevating evidence-based practices increasing student success through the 2025 Examples of Excelencia ; Expanding the Excelencia in Action network, deepening our collaboration with hundreds of colleges and universities to tap the talents of the Latino community amongst all; Supporting Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) amid the elimination of their federal funding; Strengthening our affiliates’ capacity to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students and bridge their internal growth with external proof of impact; and Certifying and recertifying more colleges and universities with the Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating continuous improvement in student outcomes. This report speaks to the breadth of our impact and the depth of commitment from those who share our belief that innovating in higher education beginning with Latinos — who represent the post-traditional student majority that institutions must serve — supports transformation that benefits all students, communities, and our country. Thank you to Excelencia’s partners and supporters who helped make 2025 a year of meaningful impact as we continue advancing Latino, and all, student success in 2026.

Excelencia in Education certified these colleges and universities for intentionally SERVING Latino students and for demonstrating positive student outcomes. Seal of Excelencia certified institutions represented less than 1% of colleges/universities yet enrolled 15% of Latino and 7% of all students, and graduated 17% of Latino and 7% of all students. LEARN MORE Seal of Excelencia Certified Institutions The 45 colleges and universities that have earned the Seal of Excelencia are identifying opportunities to innovate and building momentum on campus for continuous improvement in student success. Together, they model the transformation higher education needs to ensure access to excellence for Latino, and all, students — and strengthen our nation’s civic leadership and workforce. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institutions Institutions that earn the Seal of Excelencia began the journey to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students before certification and have successfully demonstrated institution-wide investment in continuous improvement in student success by aligning data, practice, and leadership. Institution Name Certified State California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt 2025-2028 California California State University-East Bay 2024-2027 California California State University-Long Beach 2023-2026 California California State University-Los Angeles 2023-2026 California California State University-Northridge 2023-2026 California Page 1 of 1 Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institutions Institutions that pursue Seal recertification after their first three-year certification concludes show sustained progress by advancing strategies, strengthening practices, and setting measurable goals that deepen their positive impact on Latino, and all, student success. Institution Name Recertified State California State University-Fresno 2024-2027 California California State University-Fullerton 2024-2027 California California State University-Sacramento 2023-2026 California City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College 2024-2027 Illinois Long Beach City College 2023-2026 California Page 1 of 1 Intentionally Thriving Institutions Intentionally Thriving Institutions continue their journey of more than six years and demonstrate positive impact beyond the educational pathway by investing in strategies and practices that prepare Latino, and all, students for success after graduation and connect them to the workforce. Institution Name Intentionally Thriving State Arizona State University 2025-2028 Arizona Austin Community College District 2025-2028 Texas California State University-Channel Islands 2025-2028 California Florida International University 2025-2028 Florida Grand Valley State University 2025-2028 Michigan Page 1 of 1 These trendsetting colleges and universities are leading transformation by ensuring students receive a quality education of value, using the Seal of Excelencia framework as a model that measures both outcomes and intentionality. This approach holds institutions accountable for continuous improvement, recognizes long-term progress, and requires deep, data-informed commitments that demonstrate institutions are evolving from just enrolling to intentionally serving Latino, and all, students. Are you ready to join this community of trendsetting institutions transforming higher education? BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY

** is President of City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College ** President Institution website: https://www.ccc.edu/daley/home/ Bio Page: ** is President of City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2023-2026 Richard J. Daley College (Daley College) serves over 8,000 students annually with 4,823 enrolled in credit programs, 2,832 enrolled in adult education courses, and 626 enrolled in continuing education. Latinos represent 77% of students. Daley College empowers its diverse community through innovative, high-quality and affordable education in a supportive, inclusive, and equitable environment for life-long learning.

Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network is a diverse group of college and university presidents and chancellors who have committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latino students thrive. They are part of the Excelencia network and collaborate with Excelencia in Education to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts at the national level. Excelencia in Action The Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network is a diverse group of college and university presidents and chancellors as well as program leaders across the country committed to joining a community of common cause and transforming their campuses to become learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. They are part of the Excelencia network and collaborate with Excelencia in Education to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts at the national level. For enrollment and other questions, please email E-Action@EdExcelencia.org . The E-Action network represents only 5% of colleges and universities, but it enrolls 26% and graduates 29% of Latino students nationwide. LEARN MORE Filter by State Select State Filter by Part of a System Select Part of a System Abilene Christian University Phil Schubert President Arizona Western College ** President CUNY Hunter College Nancy Cantor President California State University, Dominguez Hills ** President California State University-Channel Islands Sue Andrzejewski Interim President California State University-Fullerton Ronald Rochon President California State University-Sacramento Luke Wood President Cerritos College José Fierro President Clarkson College Andreia Nebel President Columbia Gorge Community College Kenneth Lawson President Dalton State College John M. Fuchko III President Evergreen Valley College Vinicio J. López President Adams State University David A. Tandberg President Aurora University Susana Rivera-Mills President CUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community College ** President California State University, Monterey Bay Vanya Quiñones President California State University-Chico Stephen Perez President California State University-Long Beach ** President California State University-San Bernardino Tomás Morales President City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College Daniel López President Coastline College Vince Rodriguez President Community College of Rhode Island Rosemary Costigan President Dominican University Glena Temple President Fairleigh Dickinson University Michael Avaltroni President Aims Community College Leah Bornstein President Austin Community College District Russell Lowery-Hart Chancellor California Lutheran University John Nunes President California State University, Stanislaus Britt Rios-Ellis President California State University-East Bay Cathy Sandeen President California State University-Los Angeles Berenecea Johnson Eanes President California State University-San Marcos Ellen J. Neufeldt President City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College ** President College of Lake County ** President Cuyahoga Community College Michael Baston President EDP University of Puerto Rico Gladys Nieves Vázquez President Felician University Mildred Mihlon President Arizona State University Michael Crow President Bunker Hill Community College Pam Y. Eddinger President California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Richard Carvajal President California State University-Bakersfield Vernon B. Harper Jr. President California State University-Fresno Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval President California State University-Northridge Erika Beck President Central New Mexico Community College Tracy Hartzler President City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College Andres Oroz President Columbia Basin College Rebekah Woods President Dallas College Justin Lonon Chancellor Elgin Community College Peggy Heinrich President Fitchburg State University Donna Hodge President 1 2 3 1 ... 1 2 3 ... 3

** is President of Portland Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Portland Community College ** President Institution website: https://www.pcc.edu/ Bio Page: ** is President of Portland Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

** is President of Mohave College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Mohave College ** President Institution website: https://www.mohave.edu/ Bio Page: ** is President of Mohave College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

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

Excelencia's institutes, workshops, and convenings provide forums for sharing knowledge on effective strategies for Latino student success. Our events engage leadership from multiple sectors to focus on Latino students as essential to America’s human capital growth. Events This section will be updated as events information and opportunities to engage with Excelencia are available. Evidence-Based Practices Institute 3 virtual modules | June 9, 16, and 23 @ 1-5pm ET | Application deadline: May 6 Builds your team’s capacity to assess impact and document intentionality of your efforts for data-driven accountability and continuous improvement. All institutes have limited space so it’s essential to apply early. LEARN MORE & APPLY Data Institute 3 virtual modules | July 14, 21, and 28 @ 1-5pm ET | Application deadline: June 10 Strengthen your team’s capacity to analyze, interpret, and leverage data to drive institutional data-based decisions and actions. All institutes have limited space so it’s essential to apply early. LEARN MORE & APPLY Post-Completion Institute 3 virtual modules | August 4, 11, and 18 @ 1-5pm ET | Application deadline: July 1 Engages institutional teams in developing, implementing, and measuring support systems for the post-completion success of Latino, and all, students. All institutes have limited space so it’s essential to apply early. LEARN MORE & APPLY Alignment Institute 3 virtual modules | September 15, 22, and 29 @ 1-5pm ET | Application deadline: September 9 Offers a cohort-driven and interactive engagement to align institutional data, evidence-based practices, and leadership strategies to increase student success. All institutes have limited space so it’s essential to apply early. LEARN MORE & APPLY SSITA - Fall Cohort 2 virtual sessions | October 14 and November 18 @ 2-4pm ET | Application deadline: September 9 A student-centered self-assessment tool for institutions to evaluate who they serve, don't serve, and aim to serve. It identifies strengths, challenges, and opportunities for greater intentionality by examining data, leadership, and practices linked to success for Latino and all students. Three facilitated cohorts to choose from. REGISTER HERE Finding What Works: Exploring Your Campus for Impactful Programs 2 virtual sessions | September 22 and 29 @ 1-3pm ET A workshop series to support your institution's journey in identifying programs serving Latino, and all, students and exploring their impact. Registration is open to all, with priority for institutions in the E-Action network. REGISTER HERE

The database is made up of over 200 active programs initially recognized through our Examples of Excelencia review process. Growing What Works Learn What Works for Student Success Through Examples of Excelencia , Excelencia in Education recognizes evidence-based programs increasing Latino, and all, student success and thus facilitating access to excellence. These programs can inform and guide more intentional and student-centered efforts at institutions across the country. Explore Advancing What Works to Intentionally Serve Latino Students: Opportunities for Action - 2024, a compilation of 35 nationally recognized programs that take asset-based and student-centered approaches to intentionally SERVE Latinos and other post-traditional students across five key areas. LEARN MORE Filter by Academic Level Filter by Issue Area Filter by Program Focus Select Program Focus Filter by State Select State Filter by HSI Program 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 ... 1000