** is President of Weber State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.  < Back to E-Action Main Page Weber State University ** President Institution website: https://www.weber.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.weber.edu/PresidentsOffice ** is President of Weber State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Amy Bosley is President of Northwest Vista College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Northwest Vista College Amy Bosley President Institution website: https://www.alamo.edu/nvc/ Bio Page: https://www.alamo.edu/nvc/news-events/news/2023/july/nvc-welcomes-new-president/#:~:text=Amy%20Bosley%20began%20her%20position,for%20Student%20Success%20(ACCESS). Amy Bosley is President of Northwest Vista College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Sue Andrzejewski is Interim President of California State University-Channel Islands and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-Channel Islands Sue Andrzejewski Interim President Institution website: https://www.csuci.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.csuci.edu/president/campus-leadership/presidents-bio.htm Sue Andrzejewski is Interim President of California State University-Channel Islands and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Intentionally Thriving Institution: 2025-2028 California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI), Ventura County's sole four-year public institution, serves nearly 5,000 undergraduates, with 62% identifying as Latino.

S. Jack Hu is Chancellor of the University of California-Riverside and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of California-Riverside S. Jack Hu Chancellor Institution website: https://www.ucr.edu/ Bio Page: https://safety.ucr.edu/about-the-chancellor S. Jack Hu is Chancellor of the University of California-Riverside and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2024-2027 University of California, Riverside (UCR or UC Riverside) serves the Inland Empire, a region characterized by its significant Chicano/Latino population comprising more than 51% of its residents. UC Riverside focuses on enhancing graduation rates, narrowing equity disparities, and broadening the scope of high-impact practices and career and leadership development opportunities for more than 22,000 undergraduates, including more than 9,000 Latino students.

Tonya Smith-Jackson is Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Rutgers University-Newark Tonya Smith-Jackson Chancellor Institution website: https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/office-chancellor/meet-chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson is Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2025-2028 Rutgers University-Newark (Rutgers-Newark) is an urban public research university, a Hispanic-Serving Institution as well as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving and Minority-Serving Institution. It serves nearly 8,000 students, with 35% identifying as Hispanic.

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.

This brief highlights the strategic practices of six Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) that have participated in federal HSI STEM and Title V grant programs. < Back Beyond an HSI Designation: Exploring Strategic Practices for HSI Grant Participation Excelencia in Education March 2023 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Since 1995, the federal government has allocated funds to Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to help build their institutional capacity to better serve their Latino students amongst all. However, these federal grant programs have become increasingly competitive. As a result, HSIs must strategically adapt their practices to plan effectively for grant competitions and utilize funds in a sustainable manner that supplements existing institutional practices that facilitate Latino, and all, student success. Excelencia in Education engaged six HSIs that had received federal funding in the last six years (2017-2022) in a series of interviews to learn more about their strategic practices in HSI STEM and Title V grant participation: California State University-Long Beach California State University-Sacramento University of New Mexico-Taos Texas A&M University-Kingsville Dominican University Hartnell College Findings From the interviews with these institutions, Excelencia identified key strategies that demonstrate these HSIs’ adaptive practices for HSI STEM and Title V grant participation and their institutional commitment to their Latino students amongst all: Creating the capacity to apply for HSI grants. Leadership at these six institutions described their strategies for applying for federal funding despite a limited or nonexistent central office or personnel dedicated to HSI initiatives. Their efforts for preparing for grant competitions included (1) holding internal mini-grant competitions, (2) contracting with external grant writers, or (3) bringing in cross-campus support to prepare their grant applications. Implementing and sustaining grant-funded programs. HSI grants are one of many tools that can be leveraged to develop an institution’s capacity to better serve their students. HSI grants are designed to supplement rather than supplant current institutional efforts, which means that institutions must utilize this funding in combination with existing resources. To gain buy-in from the necessary programs or offices, these institutions integrated key stakeholders into the grant application and implementation process. Institutions also slowly transitioned grant funded costs into the budget of campus programs and offices to ensure that the programs and positions could be sustained at the end of the grant period. Conceptualizing and advancing an organizational commitment to serving Latino students. Leadership across all six HSIs described how their institution is conceptualizing what it means to be an HSI, where they currently are with their work, and what they need to do to better serve their Latino students amongst all. These HSIs are: (1) utilizing evidence-based practices from external HSI organizations to identify their next steps to advance their institutional capacity to serve, (2) leveraging HSI funding to improve their capacity to implement and sustain student-centered efforts and outcomes, and (3) creating a cross-campus network of offices and departments committed to developing practices that intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. Suggested Citation: Arroyo, C. & Santiago, D. (March 2023). Beyond an HSI Designation: Exploring Strategic Practices for HSI Grant Participation . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Read our report on the impact of 20 years of federal funding on student success and the development of HSIs in From Capacity to Success: HSIs, Title V, and Latino Students. Read our Medium posts on the potential of a guaranteed federal grant programs for HSIs to build their capacity for applying to competitive federal grant programs. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Josué Romualdo serves as Community of Practice Manager of Excelencia in Education. Josué works closely with practitioners across higher education institutions and community-based organizations to build relationships and strengthen a national community of practice that supports efforts to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. < Back to Our People Page Josué Romualdo Community of Practice Manager Excelencia in Education Email: jromualdo@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As Community of Practice Manager, I work closely with practitioners across higher education institutions and community-based organizations to build relationships and strengthen a national community of practice that supports efforts to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. I also manage the Growing What Works Database, a resource for practitioners, institutional leaders, funders, and policymakers interested in evidence-based practices that accelerate Latino student success in higher education. Past Experiences: My career has centered on advancing civic participation through efforts focused on voting access, information integrity, and community well-being. I’ve led impactful programs at national organizations, including the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the NALEO Educational Fund. In each role, I developed and managed initiatives that promoted informed voter engagement and supported diverse communities, leading several Latino-focused programs while serving all populations. Whether coordinating outreach campaigns, building coalitions, or responding to emerging challenges, my work has remained grounded in the values that emphasize the importance of promoting civic engagement. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? By joining Excelencia , I build on my experience to continue serving the Latino community, amongst all communities. I’m inspired by Excelencia’s commitment to using data-driven strategies and elevating key partnerships to support student achievement in higher education. This role aligns with my dedication to empower underserved communities through meaningful work and serving all populations. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? If I had to describe our work at Excelencia in one word, it would be dedication. Our staff, along with institutional leaders and program practitioners, are deeply committed to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. It is an honor to collaborate with individuals who share this unwavering dedication to ensuring access to excellence for each student

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 . She 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. 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.

Ronald Rochon is President of California State University-Fullerton and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-Fullerton Ronald Rochon President Institution website: https://www.fullerton.edu/ Bio Page: http://president.fullerton.edu/ Ronald Rochon is President of California State University-Fullerton and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2024-2027 California State University, Fullerton (CSUF or Cal State Fullerton) enrolls more than 39,000 students, of which 54% are Latino—an increase of 40% since 2016. The university prioritizes access to higher education, student success, service to the local region, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. CSUF was the No. 2 destination among California public institutions for community college transfer students in 2022-2023.

The purpose of this issue brief is to provide a common definition and methodology for identifying HSIs that will result in more consistent and verifiable analysis. < Back Essay: Creating a List of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Excelencia in Education April 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excelencia in Education has been tracking the growth of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (eHSIs), and Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) for over 20 years and has released its analyses on these institutions annually. The purpose of this essay is to provide a common definition and methodology for identifying HSIs that will result in better, more accurate analysis. In the current federal landscape, where no active eligibility framework or comprehensive HSI list exists, this approach offers a consistent and transparent way to identify these institutions. Using a common definition based on an established methodology will more accurately represent this group of institutions. As the Latino population continues to grow, so will the number of Latino college-bound students. The number and size of HSIs will also continue to grow and will play a critical role in enhancing Latino students' access to higher education throughout the United States. Excelencia’s methodology excludes institutions with fewer than 100 total undergraduate students enrolled. Their enrollment fluctuates enough year to year that HSI status can change based on a difference of one or two Latino students, which would produce inconsistent identification across years. For example, an institution enrolling 100 undergraduates needs 25 Latino students to meet the 25% threshold, meaning a single student's continued enrollment determines whether that institution appears on the list. The sustainability of these smaller institutions is limited, as their small enrollment signals a lack of viability and sufficient resources for operations long-term. Further, institutions of this size are unlikely to be competitive for Title V capacity-building funds relative to larger, more established institutions. Suggested Citation Excelencia in Education. (2026). Essay: Creating a List of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more in Excelencia’s new HSI Factbook. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

< Back to News Page Four Higher Education Programs Recognized for Their Exemplary Work in Advancing Latino, and all, Student Success Sep 30, 2024 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Excelencia in Education Recognizes the 2024 Examples of Excelencia, Amplifying Evidence-Based Practices That Work for Latino, and All, Students WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 30, 2024) – In our 20th year identifying and promoting what works for Latino, and all, students in higher education, Excelencia in Education announced today four programs recognized as the 2024 Examples of Excelencia . These programs exemplify what is possible when higher education institutions and community-based organizations intentionally serve Latino, and all, students on their journey to and through college. The 2024 Examples are addressing academic barriers, creating a sense of belonging, increasing affordability, providing experiential learning opportunities, and investing in wrap-around services that improve higher education outcomes. Each year, four Examples of Excelencia are selected from the associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organization levels for their intentionality and evidence of effectiveness in increasing Latino student success. The 2024 Examples emerged from 345 nominations from 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 103 program submissions, and 18 finalists. The 2024 Examples of Excelencia are: English for Academic Purposes , Reading Area Community College – Reading, PA (Associate Level) The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) , Washington State University – Pullman, WA (Baccalaureate Level) Project upGRADS , California State University, Fullerton – Fullerton, CA (Graduate Level) Career Pathways: Empowering Students to Succeed , The Immokalee Foundation, Inc. – Immokalee, FL (Community-Based Organization Level) “We must make a positive difference in the lives of our college students who trust us to help them meet their education goals. The 2024 Examples of Excelencia are proof there is good work implemented around the country," said Adriana Rodriguez, COO and vice president for institutional programs at Excelencia in Education. “These programs model what other institutions and organizations can implement in their own communities.” Examples of Excelencia is the only national, data-driven effort to identify, aggregate, and promote evidence-based practices increasing Latino, and all, student success in higher education. Since 2005, Excelencia has received over 2,000 program submissions, recognized over 400 programs for their impact, and raised and awarded over $2 million to programs making a positive difference for Latino, and all, students across the country. A committee of diverse higher education leaders selected the 2024 Examples of Excelencia to showcase innovative programming and proven practices that support Latino and other post-traditional students academically, financially, and socially. These programs serve as replicable models of cultural responsiveness that lead to credit and degree completion, which in turn supports Latino families and communities to ensure America’s future. Programs selected annually as Examples of Excelencia and finalists are featured online in Excelencia’s Growing What Works Database — the only national, searchable database for institutional leaders, funders, policymakers, and others interested in evidence-based programming for Latino, and all, students. This year’s Examples of Excelencia will be honored at the organization’s annual Celebración de Excelencia in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the 2024 Examples of Excelencia : https://www.edexcelencia.org/what-works/examples-excelencia/annual-examples-excelencia 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