Excelencia in Education is committed to accelerating Latino college completion while increasing for all. Our analysis shows persistent gaps between Latino and White students in Nebraska, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Nebraska Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. To make our country stronger and meet the economy’s demand for a highly educated workforce, we must ensure access to quality higher education for Latino, and all, students. This requires accelerating Latino degree completion, increasing completion for all students, and scaling programs and initiatives proven to support Latino, and all, student success. The following demographics, institutional data, and practices inform Latino degree attainment. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2026) 27% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 50% Of White adults Fast Facts Nebraska had the 35th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 19% K-12 Population 13% Total Population Enrollment 15% Latino Students 26% White Students Median Age 25 Latinos 41 White Median Income $39,508 Without a college degree $59,853 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 13%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Nebraska. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 14%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Nebraska. Top Institutions Enrolling and Graduating Hispanic Undergraduates, 2026 Rank Institution Name Sector Total Enrollment Hispanic Enrollment % Hispanic Enrollment Total Completions Hispanic Completions % Hispanic Completions 1 University of Nebraska at Omaha Public, 4-year or above 11,573 1,992 17% 2,414 133 6% 2 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Public, 4-year or above 18,887 1,717 9% 4,262 303 7% 3 Bellevue University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 10,426 1,585 15% 1,875 238 13% 4 Metropolitan Community College Area Public, 2-year 7,629 1,456 19% 1,383 194 14% 5 Central Community College Public, 2-year 3,206 1,018 32% 702 174 25% BACK TO MAIN LCC PAGE 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 U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Excelencia in Education analysis using U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2023 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey, and Institutional Characteristics Survey.

Marie Lynn Miranda is Chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of Illinois Chicago Marie Lynn Miranda Chancellor Institution website: https://www.uic.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.uic.edu/about/leadership/ Marie Lynn Miranda is Chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2023-2026 University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is a Hispanic serving research university that serves nearly 22,000 undergraduate students, 36% of whom are Latino. From 2015-2023, Latino students comprised over two-thirds (68%) of the institution’s enrollment growth. UIC enrolls and graduates the largest number of Latino students in Illinois.

This publication profiles discussions with college presidents to better understand their perspectives on what it means to be a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). < Back Hearing from Presidents of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Deborah A. Santiago December 2006 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Institution presidents help to set the vision, tone, and priorities for institutional practices. Direct involvement from campus leaders proved critical to the Latino Student Success (LSS) project series. Hearing from Presidents of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) : Defining Student Success, Measures of Accountability, and What it Means to be an HSI profiles responses from individual interviews with college presidents to better understand their perspectives on three main topics: Defining student success; Measuring institutional accountability; and, Describing what it means to be an HSI. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Loren J. Blanchard is President of California State University-Long Beach and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-Long Beach Loren J. Blanchard President Institution website: https://www.csulb.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.csulb.edu/office-of-the-president/page/loren-j-blanchard Loren J. Blanchard is President of California State University-Long Beach and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2023-2026 California State University (CSU) Long Beach serves the counties of Los Angeles and Orange, enrolling 39,435 students. Of these 50% are Latinx and 49% are Pell Grant eligible and/or have first-generation low-income backgrounds. CSU Long Beach focuses on engaging students, expanding access, promoting intellectual achievement, building community, and cultivating resilience and has made great strides toward closing retention and graduation gaps.

Excelencia in Education is committed to accelerating Latino college completion while increasing for all. Our analysis shows persistent gaps between Latino and White students in the District of Columbia, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - District of Columbia Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. To make our country stronger and meet the economy’s demand for a highly educated workforce, we must ensure access to quality higher education for Latino, and all, students. This requires accelerating Latino degree completion, increasing completion for all students, and scaling programs and initiatives proven to support Latino, and all, student success. The following demographics, institutional data, and practices inform Latino degree attainment. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2026) 61% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 95% Of White adults Fast Facts Latino Population 17% K-12 Population 12% Total Population Enrollment 20% Latino Students 24% White Students Median Age 32 Latinos 35 White Median Income $38,808 Without a college degree $91,839 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 5%-points higher than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in District of Columbia. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 8%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in District of Columbia. Top Institutions Enrolling and Graduating Hispanic Undergraduates, 2026 Rank Institution Name Sector Total Enrollment Hispanic Enrollment % Hispanic Enrollment Total Completions Hispanic Completions % Hispanic Completions 1 George Washington University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 10,848 1,420 13% 2,721 336 12% 2 Strayer University-Global Region Private for-profit, 4-year or above 10,087 1,273 13% 1,155 153 13% 3 American University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 7,593 972 13% 1,833 216 12% 4 University of the District of Columbia Public, 4-year or above 3,080 859 28% 644 129 20% 5 Howard University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 9,604 664 7% 1,657 93 6% BACK TO MAIN LCC PAGE 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 U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Excelencia in Education analysis using U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2023 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey, and Institutional Characteristics Survey.

Michael Baston is President of Cuyahoga Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Cuyahoga Community College Michael Baston President Institution website: https://www.tri-c.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.tri-c.edu/administrative-departments/office-of-the-president.html Michael Baston is President of Cuyahoga Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

This brief serves as a primer on conditions and history of the invention of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and how they contribute to Latino student success. < Back Inventing Hispanic-Serving Institutions: The Basics Deborah A. Santiago February 2006 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are important institutions for Latinos, yet little research exists on them. This brief serves as a primer on the conditions and history behind their invention, the processes for identification, and the general institutional characteristics of HSIs. It also offers an overview of how these institutions are contributing to Latino student success. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

The purpose of this brief is to describe federal legislation and programs that support higher education, and to assess Latino participation in these programs. < Back Federal Policy and Latinos in Higher Education: A Guide for Policymakers and Grantmakers Deborah A. Santiago ; Sarita E. Brown February 2004 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Brief describes federal legislation and programs that support higher education and to assess Latino participation in these programs. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Jessica Marie Arguello serves as the Network Activation Manager of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Jessica Marie Arguello Network Activation Manager Excelencia in Education Email: jarguello@edexcelencia.org Past Experiences: After receiving my undergraduate degree in Social Work (April 2010) from Florida International University, I served as a Research Assistant from 2012-2017 and gained experience in higher education. I then joined the School of Social Work as their Senior Program Coordinator for the Office of Field Education, while obtaining my graduate degree in Higher Education Administration (August 2021). My skills in higher education and social work were guided by professors and mentors that continue to challenge my journey as a life-long student. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? I brought my talent and skills to Excelencia in Education, because of my passion for discovering evidence-based practices that transform and accelerate Latino students in higher education. I relate to this organization as a Latina and life-long student of higher education and my goal is to empower others that are motivated to work in this field in transforming the country towards equity and inclusion. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia in Education, feels aspirational on a daily basis. Our organization is working with institutions on a national platform to highlight the success of the transformational journey these institutions are paving. To work with leaders committed and dedicated to the growth of their Latino students is the greatest motivation to continue the mission, vision, and goals of Excelencia in Education.

Excelencia in Education is committed to accelerating Latino college completion while increasing for all. Our analysis shows persistent gaps between Latino and White students in Florida, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Florida Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. To make our country stronger and meet the economy’s demand for a highly educated workforce, we must ensure access to quality higher education for Latino, and all, students. This requires accelerating Latino degree completion, increasing completion for all students, and scaling programs and initiatives proven to support Latino, and all, student success. The following demographics, institutional data, and practices inform Latino degree attainment. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2026) 40% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 49% Of White adults Fast Facts Florida had the 3rd largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 32% K-12 Population 27% Total Population Enrollment 22% Latino Students 22% White Students Median Age 37 Latinos 51 White Median Income $33,372 Without a college degree $59,206 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 10%-points higher than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Florida. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 8%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Florida. Top Institutions Enrolling and Graduating Hispanic Undergraduates, 2026 Rank Institution Name Sector Total Enrollment Hispanic Enrollment % Hispanic Enrollment Total Completions Hispanic Completions % Hispanic Completions 1 Florida International University Public, 4-year or above 38,761 26,234 68% 11,661 7,691 66% 2 Miami Dade College Public, 4-year or above 35,001 25,146 72% 9,807 7,038 72% 3 University of Central Florida Public, 4-year or above 59,095 18,188 31% 15,548 4,536 29% 4 Valencia College Public, 4-year or above 35,125 15,435 44% 8,882 3,383 38% 5 Broward College Public, 4-year or above 23,799 8,973 38% 5,544 1,983 36% BACK TO MAIN LCC PAGE 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 U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Excelencia in Education analysis using U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2023 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey, and Institutional Characteristics Survey.

< Back to News Page 18 Colleges and Universities Taking Responsibility for Students’ Educational and Economic Success Earn the Seal of Excelencia Sep 30, 2025 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Institutions Earning the Seal of Excelencia Go Beyond Enrollment to Intentionally Serve Latino, and All, Students, and Display a Level of Excellence WASHINGTON – Today, Excelencia in Education, a national leader in catalyzing institutional transformation for student success in higher education, announced that 18 institutions have earned the Seal of Excelencia in 2025. These institutions are part of a group of nearly 50 colleges and universities that are taking responsibility for improving Latino, and all, student success. Seal of Excelencia certified institutions produce outsized impact on student outcomes — representing less than 1% of all colleges and universities in the U.S., yet enrolling 16% and graduating 18% of Latino students nationwide, as well as enrolling 7% and graduating 8% of all students. Institutions earn the Seal by going beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students, and by taking responsibility and accountability for providing access to excellence. The Seal framework aligns data, practice, and leadership to move institutions beyond isolated programs toward systemic change and investment providing institutional value to students, their families, and their communities. This year, Excelencia is introducing the Intentionally Thriving Institution (ITI) designation, that extends the impact beyond the educational pathway and recognizes positive impact in preparing students for, and connecting them to, the workforce. “Seal of Excelencia certified institutions are investing in transformation, ensuring access to excellence, and becoming places where Latino, and all, students thrive,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education. “These institutions have made demonstrable efforts to ensure students’ return on investment in a degree while cultivating talent that fuels our country’s future.” The Seal is a rigorous, data-driven certification, not an award or ranking. This year, five institutions have earned certification for the first time, five have earned recertification, and eight have earned Excelencia’s new ITI designation. “ Excelencia is proud to continue to catalyze and support colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia for their impact and intentional efforts to deliver on the promise of higher education for all students. Through our collaboration, we build talent for our country’s workforce and civic leadership,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. The five newly certified Seal of Excelencia institutions are: California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (CA) Dalton State College (GA) Rutgers University-Newark (NJ) San José State University (CA) University of Nevada, Las Vegas (NV) The five recertified Seal of Excelencia institutions are: Mercy University (NY) San Antonio College (TX) University at Albany (NY) University of California, Santa Cruz (CA) The University of Texas at Arlington (TX) The eight colleges and universities that are the first to earn the Intentionally Thriving Institution designation are: Arizona State University (AZ) Austin Community College District (TX) California State University Channel Islands (CA) Florida International University (FL) Grand Valley State University (MI) South Texas College (TX) The University of Texas at El Paso (TX) University of Arizona (AZ) Latinos are the only growing college student population and represent a post-traditional student body, often navigating multiple paths through higher education while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. As more students fit this profile, piloted efforts that work for Latino students — like those being implemented at Seal institutions — can also serve other students. Learn more about institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia certification, recertification, and Intentionally Thriving Institution designation this year: EdExcelencia.org/seal/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions 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.

Excelencia in Education is committed to accelerating Latino college completion while increasing for all. Our analysis shows persistent gaps between Latino and White students in West Virginia, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - West Virginia Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. To make our country stronger and meet the economy’s demand for a highly educated workforce, we must ensure access to quality higher education for Latino, and all, students. This requires accelerating Latino degree completion, increasing completion for all students, and scaling programs and initiatives proven to support Latino, and all, student success. The following demographics, institutional data, and practices inform Latino degree attainment. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2026) 32% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 33% Of White adults Fast Facts West Virginia had the 48th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 3% K-12 Population 2% Total Population Enrollment 36% Latino Students 19% White Students Median Age 28 Latinos 44 White Median Income $33,333 Without a college degree $54,414 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 6%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in West Virginia. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 8%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in West Virginia. Top Institutions Enrolling and Graduating Hispanic Undergraduates, 2026 Rank Institution Name Sector Total Enrollment Hispanic Enrollment % Hispanic Enrollment Total Completions Hispanic Completions % Hispanic Completions 1 American Public University System Private for-profit, 4-year or above 38,976 7,408 19% 10,876 1,704 16% 2 West Virginia University Public, 4-year or above 17,705 777 4% 4,374 155 4% 3 Martinsburg College Private for-profit, 4-year or above 3,214 513 16% 29 3 10% 4 Shepherd University Public, 4-year or above 2,375 199 8% 510 32 6% 5 Marshall University Public, 4-year or above 7,149 198 3% 1,558 30 2% BACK TO MAIN LCC PAGE 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 U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Excelencia in Education analysis using U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2023 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey, and Institutional Characteristics Survey.