John Keenan is President of Salem State University and a President for Latino Student Success. < Back to E-Action Main Page Salem State University John Keenan President Institution website: https://www.salemstate.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.salemstate.edu/salem-state-difference/presidents-office/john-d-keenan-biography John Keenan is President of Salem State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Michael E. Spagna is President of Sonoma State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Sonoma State University Michael E. Spagna President Institution website: https://www.sonoma.edu/ Bio Page: https://president.sonoma.edu/about-president Michael E. Spagna is President of Sonoma State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Emily Labandera serves as Director of Research of Excelencia in Education. Emily leads research and project coordination that furthers Excelencia’s portfolio of policy, programs, and practice to accelerate Latino student success in higher education. < Back to Our People Page Emily Labandera Director of Research Excelencia in Education Email: elabandera@EdExcelencia.org Current Position: As Director of Research, Emily leads research and project coordination that furthers Excelencia ’s portfolio of policy, programs, and practice to accelerate Latino student success in higher education. She conducts research and data analysis on topics related to Latinos in higher education; project manages several ongoing projects that inform public policy and institutional practice and develops dissemination plans for research publications; collaborates, coordinates, and supports research colleagues in their efforts as it relates to practice and research; coordinates across teams and portfolios for organizational work and deliverables; and, evolves and maintains key relationships with partner organizations, funders, practitioners, and institutions to advance Excelencia ’s research agenda. Past Experiences: Emily’s path in higher education policy was sparked by her personal experiences as a first-generation and STEM undergraduate student. Upon deciding on a career change to that of public service and being a change agent, Emily pursued public policy in her graduate studies. During her graduate studies, she focused on higher education policy and research and interned at Education Reform Now and Excelencia in Education. Emily earned her Master of Public Policy from George Washington University in 2019, which prepared her with the necessary skills to think critically and analyze higher education data and policy deeply at national, state, and local levels. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? Excelencia ’s core mission of accelerating Latino student success in higher education to enhance our workforce, leadership, and economy, the vision and leadership of Excelencia ’s leaders, and the knowledge that our efforts push the needle forward in service of our comunidad are all part of the why I bring my talent to Excelencia . Our collective effort in transforming higher education to be a more equitable place for Latino, and all, students is the factor that motivates me every day to work alongside my colleagues and our leadership. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia is an enriching, collaborative, and rewarding experience. Across the entire team at Excelencia , we share a deep-rooted stewardship of mission in serving our community. The passion and effort are palpable amongst our team, making it an honor to work here.

This brief identifies the top institutions graduating and preparing Latinos in health, and highlights evidence-based practices to increase Latino student success. < Back Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent in Health Excelencia in Education March 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview For 20 years, Excelencia in Education has served its mission to accelerate Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education in order to address the country’s need for a highly educated workforce and civic leadership. Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent in Health represents the latest extension of Excelencia’s hallmark work of bringing national attention to higher education institutions and practices advancing Latino talent, strengthening our economy, and ensuring America’s future. Healthcare occupations are projected to increase over the next decade. As the demand for healthcare professionals increases, Latinos are increasing their representation in healthcare positions. Despite their increased representation, Latinos are more likely to be in healthcare support occupations rather than in healthcare management or professional occupation that offer higher salaries. This brief presents Excelencia’s roadmap for both employers and institutions to take action to ensure America’s future by advancing Latino talent in health. The top institutions awarding credentials to Latinos at each level in health are: NUC University in Puerto Rico (Certificate and Associate) Western Governors University in Utah (Baccalaureate) Miami Regional University in Florida (Master’s) Rutgers University-New Brunswick in New Jersey (Doctorate) Nova Southeastern University in Florida (First Professional) Strategies for institutions and employers to link Latino graduates to the workforce include: Invest in high-wage, high-demand career pathways by developing stackable credentials in collaboration with employers and funding short-term career programs. Provide transition services between completion and employment or graduate school, including financial and mental health support. Connect the Latino talent pipeline to employers by recruiting graduates for internal employment opportunities and leveraging partnerships with employers. Suggested Citation: Santiago, D., Labandera, E., Arroyo, C., & Nour, S.R. (February 2024). Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent in Health . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

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.