Ann Cudd is President of Portland Portland State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Portland State University Ann Cudd President Institution website: https://www.pdx.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.pdx.edu/president/meet-president Ann Cudd is President of Portland Portland State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Vinicio J. López is President of Evergreen Valley College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Evergreen Valley College Vinicio J. López President Institution website: https://www.evc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.evc.edu/people/vinicio-lopez Vinicio J. López is President of Evergreen Valley College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Erika Beck is President of California State University-Northridge and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-Northridge Erika Beck President Institution website: https://www.csun.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.csun.edu/office-of-the-president/erika-d-beck-phd-biography Erika Beck is President of California State University-Northridge and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2023-2026 In Fall 2022, California State University (CSU) Northridge enrolled about 36,000 students, of whom 57% identified as Latinx, over 70% as first-generation college students, and 60% from historically underrepresented groups, representative of the Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley racial and economic diversity they serve. CSU Northridge’s top priority is to shape an inclusive future as an HSI by leveraging the Seal of Excelencia’s core components of data, practice, and leadership. CSU Northridge is contributing to the national movement of intentionally serving Latinx students while serving all as the lead in the Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub, advancing CSUN’s institutional transformation and supporting HSIs CSU-wide and nationally.

Berenecea Johnson Eanes is President of California State University-Los Angeles and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-Los Angeles Berenecea Johnson Eanes President Institution website: https://www.calstatela.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.calstatela.edu/president/berenecea-johnson-eanes Berenecea Johnson Eanes is President of California State University-Los Angeles and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2023-2026 California State University (CSU) Los Angeles, a Hispanic Serving Institution in East Los Angeles, serves approximately 27,000 students, 75% of whom are Latino, 55% first-generation college students, and 64% Pell Grant recipients. CSU Los Angeles is committed to the success of their Latino students and other students who have historically been underserved. Using data-informed and intentional strategies, CSU Los Angeles has closed the 4-year and 6-year graduation gap between Latino and other students.

Lynn Mahoney is President of San Francisco State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page San Francisco State University Lynn Mahoney President Institution website: https://www.sfsu.edu/ Bio Page: https://president.sfsu.edu/biography Lynn Mahoney is President of San Francisco State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2024-2027 San Francisco State University (SFSU) is a comprehensive, public, urban university serving six Bay Area Counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara). SUSU draws just over 60% of its students from these counties. As of fall 2023, Latino students represented 37% of SFSU’s student body. The SFSU student body has become increasingly more diverse, and the university has earned Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) designation in 2012 and Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation in 2016.

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 Arkansas, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Arkansas 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) 20% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 37% Of White adults Fast Facts Arkansas had the 33rd largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 14% K-12 Population 9% Total Population Enrollment 15% Latino Students 17% White Students Median Age 26 Latinos 42 White Median Income $33,350 Without a college degree $55,851 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 1%-point lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Arkansas. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 9%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Arkansas. 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 Arkansas Public, 4-year or above 27,312 2,997 11% 4,751 474 10% 2 NorthWest Arkansas Community College Public, 2-year 4,632 1,308 28% 1,226 259 21% 3 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Public, 4-year or above 4,133 791 19% 1,372 219 16% 4 Arkansas Tech University Public, 4-year or above 5,993 706 12% 2,565 246 10% 5 University of Central Arkansas Public, 4-year or above 7,426 570 8% 1,618 90 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.

** is President of California State University, Monterey Bay and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University, Monterey Bay ** President Institution website: https://csumb.edu/ Bio Page: https://csumb.edu/president/ ** is President of California State University, Monterey Bay and part of Excelencia in Action network.

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 Kentucky, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Kentucky 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) 29% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 37% Of White adults Fast Facts Kentucky had the 37th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 8% K-12 Population 5% Total Population Enrollment 19% Latino Students 19% White Students Median Age 24 Latinos 41 White Median Income $32,147 Without a college degree $56,627 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 Kentucky. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 6%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky Public, 4-year or above 23,189 1,492 6% 5,238 302 6% 2 University of Louisville Public, 4-year or above 14,187 1,172 8% 2,932 166 6% 3 Jefferson Community and Technical College Public, 2-year 7,105 998 14% 1,235 80 6% 4 Bluegrass Community and Technical College Public, 2-year 7,713 838 11% 1,454 94 6% 5 Western Kentucky University Public, 4-year or above 12,267 731 6% 2,689 134 5% 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.

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 Minnesota, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Minnesota 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) 33% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 54% Of White adults Fast Facts Minnesota had the 29th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 9% K-12 Population 6% Total Population Enrollment 16% Latino Students 20% White Students Median Age 25 Latinos 43 White Median Income $39,634 Without a college degree $68,424 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 18%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Minnesota. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 10%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Minnesota. 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 Capella University Private for-profit, 4-year or above 16,173 2,160 13% 7,543 858 11% 2 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Public, 4-year or above 30,469 1,826 6% 7,640 339 4% 3 Normandale Community College Public, 2-year 6,040 952 16% 1,098 125 11% 4 Rasmussen University-Minnesota Private for-profit, 4-year or above 8,033 936 12% 1,228 61 5% 5 Walden University Private for-profit, 4-year or above 7,337 717 10% 1,399 122 9% 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.

Excelencia's policy agenda advocates for workforce, institutional capacity, college affordability, and retention and transfer to accelerate Latino student success. < Back Excelencia’s Policy Agenda Excelencia in Education June 2025 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Now is a pivotal moment for our country, our students, and our institutions of higher education. Higher education remains a key driver of economic growth, civic engagement, and social mobility. For Latino students—and all students—to achieve economic prosperity, institutional, state, and federal policies must center on their realities: their needs, educational pathways, and contributions to the country’s workforce and economy. Higher education must be a vehicle for economic mobility, not a hurdle. Excelencia in Education remains committed to advancing policy solutions that align institutional practices, public investments, and student realities to ensure Latino, and all, students can succeed. 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. Our policy priorities are grounded in the strengths and opportunities of our network, the Latino community, and evidence-based practices accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success. Our priority is access to excellence for Latino, and all, students. Who is Excelencia in Education? Excelencia in Education’s mission is to accelerate Latino student success while increasing all student success to close postsecondary attainment gaps and advance our families, communities, and nation: Leadership: Organizing a network of institutions and leaders with the common cause of Latino, and all, student success to inform and compel action; - Excelencia’s leadership efforts include a network of over 200 postsecondary leaders, committed to ensuring America’s future by making our country stronger with the talents, skills, and contributions of Latino, and all, college graduates. In this network, 48 institutions are Seal-certified, going beyond enrollment to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. Excelencia ’s policy agenda focuses on scaling the work of these institutions in four priority areas. Data : Providing credible data-driven analysis on issues in higher education with a Latino lens; and Practice: Promoting higher education policies and institutional practices that support Latino, and all, students’ academic achievement and that of other post-traditional students. Guiding Principles The following frame is Excelencia’s approach to reassessing current federal policies using a Latino lens. Efficiency in serving traditional students today can limit effectiveness in serving a majority of students tomorrow (post-traditional students), and those students are increasingly Latino. Prioritizing access and success for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students—especially Latinos—is important while we increase educational opportunities for all students. Institutions that have a concentration of Latinos must transform to intentionally serve the needs of the students they enroll. Excelencia in Education’s Policy Priorities: 2025 Excelencia’s policy agenda advocates for accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success to close gaps in degree attainment based on the current profile of Latinos in higher education. Four policy issues were continually raised among leading institutions committed to supporting Latino, and all, student success: 1) workforce , 2) institutional capacity , 3) college affordability , and 4) retention and transfer . Workforce Ensuring access to excellence by aligning higher education and economic opportunity. Latinos are the youngest and fastest-growing demographic in the U.S. To support their educational pursuits and maximize their contributions to the workforce and economy, higher education has a responsibility to connect students with career-aligned learning opportunities and meet the needs of the competitive workforce. We prioritize : Expanding Work-Based Learning Creating Clear Pathways to Workforce Success Institutional Capacity Improving access to excellence by investing in institutions intentionally serving Latino, and all, students. Institutions serving a growing share of Latino students also serve students from many backgrounds and situations, and supporting the institution will increase the educational and economic success for all learners and their communities. To deliver excellent education, institutions must invest in programs and policies that enhance student access, completion, and workforce readiness. We prioritize: Sustaining and Scaling Key Investments Investing in Quality Higher Education College Affordability Expanding access to excellence without unmanageable debt. Latino students leverage cost-saving measures to make college more affordable (e.g., working while enrolled, enrolling part-time, mixing their enrollment, etc.), and they balance many financial decisions when pursuing a college education–supporting their families, covering transportation costs, and weighing the opportunity cost of lost wages. Policy solutions and institutional practices must reduce prices and other financial barriers to ensure students can earn a degree without incurring unmanageable debt. We prioritize: Increasing Transparent Financial Literacy Fostering Low-Debt Education Lowering the Price of Education Retention and Transfer Facilitating access to excellence through a variety of educational pathways Latino students fit a post-traditional learner profile and are more likely to take multiple paths through higher education, often balancing work, family, and financial responsibilities. Students’ decisions to pause or change institutions are typically driven by life circumstances, not academic ability. Policy must support seamless transitions and degree completion. We prioritize: Strengthening Transfer Pathways Supporting Proactive Student Support Systems Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

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 Michigan, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Michigan 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) 30% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 44% Of White adults Fast Facts Michigan had the 20th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 9% K-12 Population 6% Total Population Enrollment 21% Latino Students 21% White Students Median Age 27 Latinos 43 White Median Income $34,419 Without a college degree $63,032 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 Michigan. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 10%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Michigan. 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor Public, 4-year or above 33,488 3,360 10% 8,142 538 7% 2 Michigan State University Public, 4-year or above 40,243 2,512 6% 8,974 482 5% 3 Grand Rapids Community College Public, 2-year 10,530 1,952 19% 1,350 160 12% 4 Grand Valley State University Public, 4-year or above 19,073 1,485 8% 4,153 240 6% 5 Mott Community College Public, 2-year 5,152 1,233 24% 1,194 117 10% 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.

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 Montana, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Montana 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) 33% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 47% Of White adults Fast Facts Montana had the 45th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 7% K-12 Population 5% Total Population Enrollment 21% Latino Students 20% White Students Median Age 28 Latinos 42 White Median Income $36,748 Without a college degree $55,502 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 24%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Montana. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 12%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Montana. 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 Montana State University Public, 4-year or above 14,472 834 6% 2,659 123 5% 2 The University of Montana Public, 4-year or above 7,079 433 6% 1,432 92 6% 3 Montana State University Billings Public, 4-year or above 2,710 212 8% 586 36 6% 4 Carroll College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 1,052 79 8% 279 11 4% 5 Montana Technological University Public, 4-year or above 1,428 68 5% 284 5 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.