Madeline Pumariega is President of Miami Dade College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Miami Dade College Madeline Pumariega President Institution website: https://www.mdc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.mdc.edu/president/madeline-pumariega/ Madeline Pumariega is President of Miami Dade College and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2024-2027 Miami Dade College (MDC) consists of eight campuses and multiple outreach centers in Miami-Dade County in Florida. MDC serves a percentage of Hispanic students that is slightly higher than the 70% of Hispanic residents that reside in the county— enrolling 74,937 credit-seeking students, 77% of whom are Hispanic. MDC students are 58% first-generation college students, 68% identified as low-income, 63% attend college part-time, and 73% work while attending college.

Val Tovar serves as Evidence-Based Practices Manager of Excelencia in Education. Val oversees the annual cycle for Examples of Excelencia, supporting the public announcement of recognized programs, and collaborating on the efforts leading to Celebración de Excelencia. < Back to Our People Page Val Tovar Evidence-Based Practices Manager Excelencia in Education Email: vtovar@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As Evidence-Based Practices Manager, Val oversees the annual cycle for Examples of Excelencia , managing the submission and review process, supporting the public announcement of recognized programs, and collaborating on the efforts leading to Celebración de Excelencia . She also serves on cross-functional teams to support the planning and execution of capacity building institutes and related programming focused on evidence-based practices. Past Experiences: Val’s career has centered on advocating for students impacted by violence and providing wraparound services that support their retention and graduation. She has held roles at American University and Georgetown University, and most recently led a team at the University of Washington Bothell, offering crisis support to students affected by interpersonal violence. Throughout her career, she has led programs supporting underrepresented students and remains committed to increasing access to resources that help students succeed in college and beyond. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? As a former program practitioner, I understand the commitment and energy it takes to serve students and how isolating it can be when that work goes unseen. I joined Excelencia to help change that by elevating the voices of program practitioners who are using evidence-based practices that contribute to student success at their institutions. As a Latina and first-generation college graduate, I’ve experienced how transformative these programs can be. They supported me as a student, and now I’m committed to ensuring others have access to the same opportunities. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia is incredibly rewarding. It’s a place where passionate people come together, all deeply committed to the mission. The culture promotes teamwork, innovation, and a clear sense of purpose, making the work as a whole feel meaningful and impactful. Excelencia is an inspiring space where colleagues and institutions come together with a shared commitment to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students.

< Back to News Page Trendsetting Institutions Earn the Seal of Excelencia for Going Beyond Enrollment to Intentionally Serve Latino, and All, Students Oct 1, 2024 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Excelencia in Education Certifies 17 Colleges and Universities That Detail Efforts to Become Learning Environments Where Latino, and all, Students Thrive WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 1, 2024) – Excelencia in Education announced today 17 colleges and universities have earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2024. The Seal is a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment and more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. This year marks the organization’s 20th year of service to accelerate Latino student success, while increasing all student success in higher education. In 2018, Excelencia introduced the Seal of Excelencia to certify trendsetting colleges and universities for their efforts to become learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. The Seal of Excelencia framework represents a rigorous assessment of certified institutions’ intentionality and impact in improving outcomes such as retention, financial support, and degree completion for Latino students by aligning efforts across data, practice, and leadership. Seal certification remains valid for three years, after which institutions have the opportunity to recertify progress. Higher education, business, philanthropy, and government leaders in Excelencia’s community of common cause convened in Washington, D.C., for the announcement of eight institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia for the first time and nine that earned recertification. It was part of the organization’s National Policy Forum, focused on advancing policies to accelerate Latinos’ degree attainment while all groups increase and strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. These 17 Seal-certified institutions exemplify the kinds of programs and practices that inform good policy. “The colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia lead the charge in meeting our nation’s degree attainment goals,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education. “They demonstrate commitment to Latino student success through impact and ongoing self-assessment.” This year’s cohort of newly certified and recertified institutions belongs to a community of 46 colleges and universities that have earned the Seal. Together, they represent less than 1% of all institutions but enroll 17% and graduate 19% of all Latino students nationwide. The eight newly certified Seal of Excelencia institutions are: California State University, East Bay (CA) California State University, San Bernardino (CA) California State University San Marcos (CA) Cerritos College (CA) Hartnell College (CA) Pima Community College (AZ) San Francisco State University (CA) Sul Ross State University (TX) The nine recertified Seal of Excelencia institutions are: California State University, Fresno (CA) California State University, Fullerton (CA) Miami Dade College (FL) San Diego State University (CA) The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX) University of California, Merced (CA) University of California, Riverside (CA) University of Central Florida (FL) Wilbur Wright College (IL) “Today, we’re moving toward opportunity and success for more of our Latino students,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, “That’s thanks to the leadership and staff at Excelencia in Education. For twenty years, you’ve shown that when we do the hard work, when we’re relentless in our care for the seed of an idea, we can and will grow success for Latino students in higher education. Congratulations to all of the honorees – I really cannot wait to see where we’ll go together next.” Institutions in Excelencia’s national network of Presidents for Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network have committed to becoming learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive, and are eligible to apply for the Seal. To earn the Seal of Excelencia , they must demonstrate: An intentional, institutional focus on advancing Latino student success by aligning data and practice; Deliberate and ongoing assessment to identify and implement strategies that improve Latino student achievement; Leadership commitment to continue transforming into an environment where Latino students thrive; and, A long-term and unwavering commitment to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. “Students and families as well as leaders in philanthropy, business, and government look to colleges and universities that earned the Seal of Excelencia when making their institutional choices,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. “ Excelencia is proud to partner with institutions ensuring America’s bright future by advancing the talents of the Latino community.” Learn more about the institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia certification and recertification this year: EdExcelencia.org/seal-excelencia/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. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org

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 United States, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - National 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 49% Of White adults Fast Facts Latino Population 26% K-12 Population 20% Total Population Enrollment 20% Latino Students 22% White Students Median Age 31 Latinos 44 White Median Income $36,058 Without a college degree $63,394 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 5%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in the United States. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 14%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in the United States. 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Public, 4-year or above 27,026 25,338 94% 4,810 4,530 94% 3 Miami Dade College Public, 4-year or above 35,001 25,146 72% 9,807 7,038 72% 4 NUC University Private for-profit, 4-year or above 25,881 23,223 90% 2,702 2,531 94% 5 Southern New Hampshire University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 156,755 22,614 14% 24,642 2,781 11% 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.

Analysis highlights policy efforts that may help, hinder, or need reexamining to close college completion equity gaps for Latinos in California, Colorado, and Texas. < Back Helping or Hindering? State Policies & Latino College Completion Deborah A. Santiago ; Emily Calderón Galdeano March 2015 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Summary for Discussion SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview With support from the Ford Foundation , Excelencia in Education conducted data analysis and preliminary policy audits in 3 key states — California, Colorado, and Texas — to consider existing state policies most obviously connected to equity and college completion. The result is a high level review of state policies that may be helping, hindering, or warrant reconsideration to improve Latino, and all, student success in higher education. DOWNLOAD REPORT BELOW The brief profiles Latino and other post-traditional students in the three states, expands the consideration of public policy from national to state governance levels and links to Excelencia in Education’s national initiative, Ensuring America's Future by Increasing Latino College Completion . Partners in the selected states include The Campaign for College Opportunity (CA), Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Colorado Coalition for the Educational Advancement of Latinos (CoCEAL) (CO), and Educate Texas (TX).ana CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP WEIGHS IN “The future of our country hinges on the success of the Latino community. Latino students deserve a quality education – from the early learning stages all the way to the higher education years. In order to close the equity gap, it is critically important that policies address the needs of Latino youth.” - Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda Sánchez (CA 38th District) "It is vital that we continue to focus on bridging the achievement gap for Latinos in higher education. As policymakers, we have the ability and responsibility to help more students succeed and we must take seriously the recommendations made in this report." - Representative Loretta Sanchez (CA 46th District) "Excelencia in Education’s findings underscore the importance of closing the achievement gap. For far too long, minority students have gotten the short end of the stick. If we are to truly give minority students the opportunity of a quality education, we must advocate for and implement some of the policy recommendations laid out in this audit. Only then, will we begin to fix our education system." - Representative Mark Takano (CA 41st District) "Colorado knows all too well the persistent achievement gap that exists between white students and their Latino peers. We must narrow this gap by examining our education policies and identifying which ones are actually improving Latino student success rates, and which ones aren’t. Excelencia in Education’s state audit is an important step in achieving these goals." - Representative Jared Polis (CO 2nd District) "For the sake of our nation’s future, policies at every level of government should aim to close the equity gap and support, not impede, all young people’s access to a higher education. Young Latinos like all students in America, should have the opportunity to attend and graduate college. Earning a higher education makes it possible for folks to find a good job and achieve their dreams." - Representative Joaquin Castro (TX 20th District) Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

** is President of CUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page CUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community College ** President Institution website: https://guttman.cuny.edu/ Bio Page: https://guttman.cuny.edu/about/office-of-the-president/ **. is President of CUNY Stella and Charles Guttman Community College 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 Wisconsin, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Wisconsin 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 47% Of White adults Fast Facts Wisconsin had the 26th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 14% K-12 Population 8% Total Population Enrollment 18% Latino Students 22% White Students Median Age 25 Latinos 44 White Median Income $38,499 Without a college degree $63,061 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 11%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Wisconsin. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 11%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin-Madison Public, 4-year or above 35,665 2,965 8% 8,121 453 6% 2 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Public, 4-year or above 16,762 2,563 15% 3,562 425 12% 3 Milwaukee Area Technical College Public, 2-year 11,362 2,242 20% 1,232 240 19% 4 Madison Area Technical College Public, 4-year or above 9,273 1,405 15% 1,229 121 10% 5 Gateway Technical College Public, 2-year 4,657 1,230 26% 692 135 20% 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.

Jeanette M. Nuñez is President of Florida International University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Florida International University Jeanette M. Nuñez President Institution website: https://www.fiu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.fiu.edu/ Jeanette M. Nuñez is President of Florida International University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Intentionally Thriving Institution: 2025-2028 FIU, an urban, multi-campus public university in South Florida, serves nearly 40,000 students, of which 68% are Latino. A Carnegie Research 1 and nationally leading Hispanic-Serving Institution, FIU uses data, practice, and leadership for strategic decision-making and resource allocation.

Lynne Murray is President of McMurry University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page McMurry University Lynne Murray President Institution website: https://mcm.edu/ Bio Page: https://mcm.edu/news/mcmurry-university-announces-11th-university-president/ Lynne Murray is President of McMurry University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Excelencia tracks 4 measures of equity gaps to inform action: Latinos' enrollment and attainment growth, and Latinos’ progress in graduation and completion rates. < Back Closing the Equity Gap in Educational Attainment for Latinos September 2018 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview The nation can increase degree attainment for all, but closing the gap between Latinos and other groups requires an intentional and tactical strategy to accelerate Latinos’ attainment. This is not an “us vs. them” approach. Excelencia in Education is tracking four measures of equity gaps to inform action: Latinos’ growth in: 1) enrollment, and, 2) attainment, and Latinos’ progress in: 3) graduation rates, and 4) completion rates. While college enrollment overall has decreased, Latino enrollment has increased significantly over the past 6 years. From 2010-2016, enrollment decreased 6% overall - led by a 16% decrease for White and 15% for Black students - but increased 25% for Latino and 2% for Asian/Pacific Islander students. Almost 1 in 5 undergraduate students today are Latino. Latino students have increased representation from 14 to 19%. Latinos’ degree attainment has grown significantly while overall degree attainment has increased more slowly over the past 6 years. Associate degree attainment grew 7% overall. The largest growth was by Latinos (55%), but degree attainment decreased most for White (-6%) and American Indian/Native American students (-7%). Baccalaureate degree attainment grew 12% overall. The largest growth was by Latinos (52%), while White students had a slight increase of 1% and American Indian/Native American students decreased significantly (-18%). Graduation rates increased equally for White and Latino students over 10 years; therefore, the gap in educational attainment remained the same. From 2005 to 2014, graduation rates - degree completion of 1st time, full-time students within 150% of time from enrollment - improved 2% for both White and Latino students. In 2015, 54% of Latino students were enrolled full-time. Latino students' completion rates are higher than graduation rates and include more students, but still need to increase in order to close the gap in completion rates with others overall. Latino students' completion rate - including part-time, transfer, stop out, and students from both 2- and 4-year institutions - was 47% compared to 63% for White and Asian students. Latino students are more likely to still be enrolled 6 years after enrollment than other groups. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Richard J. Helldobler is President of William Paterson University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page William Paterson University Richard J. Helldobler President Institution website: https://www.wpunj.edu/home/index.html Bio Page: https://www.wpunj.edu/president/biography.html Richard J. Helldobler is President of William Paterson University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Ryan Cornner is Superintendent/President of Glendale Community College, California, and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Glendale Community College, California Ryan Cornner Superintendent/President Institution website: https://www.glendale.edu/home Bio Page: https://www.glendale.edu/about-gcc/administration/superintendent-president Ryan Cornner is Superintendent/President of Glendale Community College, California, and part of Excelencia in Action network.