Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, 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. About A Transformative Leader in Higher 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. DISCOVER OUR STORY What We Do Excelencia meets the opportunity of accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education with a portfolio linking leadership, data, and evidence-based practices in partnership with colleges and universities across the country. We build momentum for institutional efforts that will improve Latinos’ higher educational achievement amongst all served at a national scale by: Leading a community of common cause made up of professionals committed to intentionally serving Latino, and all, students. Informing change agents with data-driven analysis that compels action to improve the educational achievement of Latinos. Promoting education policies and institutional practices that advance Latinos, and all, students' academic achievement. LEARN MORE The Excelencia Team Excelencia’s team is why Excelencia works. Our leadership and staff are dedicated to accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education and advancing our families, communities, and nation. MEET OUR PEOPLE Support Excelencia in Education When you invest in Excelencia , you support our work to empower more Latino, and all, students to graduate and strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. SUPPORT OUR MISSION

Pradeep K. Khosla is Chancellor of the University of California-San Diego and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of California-San Diego Pradeep K. Khosla Chancellor Institution website: https://www.ucsd.edu/ Bio Page: https://chancellor.ucsd.edu/about/about-the-chancellor/index.html Pradeep K. Khosla is Chancellor of the University of California-San Diego and part of Excelencia in Action network.

< Back to News Page Over 600 Colleges and Universities Are Now Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Enrolling Nearly One-Third of All Undergraduates Apr 16, 2025 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Federal Investments in HSIs Increase Capacity to Enhance Access to Quality Education for Millions of Latino and Other Low-Income Students, New Excelencia in Education Analysis Shows WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 16, 2025) – Excelencia in Education, the premier authority on accelerating Latino student success, while increasing all student success in higher education, released today a comprehensive factbook on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) with annually updated lists of these colleges and universities that disproportionately enroll and graduate Latinos, as well as analysis on their federal funding. It shows that there are now 602 HSIs enrolling 30% of all undergraduates and 64% of Latino undergraduates, and that HSIs successfully competed for an estimated $18 billion in grants from various federal agencies over four years (2020 to 2024) to enhance access to quality education for millions of Latino and other low-income students. The factbook, “ 30 Years of HSIs: Improving Access to Quality for 30% ,” reveals that the number of HSIs continued to grow in 2023-24. HSls are defined as having 25% or more undergraduate Hispanic student full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment. Given this definition, the number of HSIs has more than tripled since they first received federal funding in 1994-95, driven by significant growth in Latino undergraduate enrollment. The HSI classification was recognized in federal legislation for capacity-building support to improve academic quality and access to excellence for Latinos and other low-income students. While HSIs are eligible for competitive grants, they are not guaranteed federal funding. Excelencia’s analysis demonstrates that less than one-third of HSIs have received a grant through the Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, even though most have applied at least once. This is despite the fact that the Department of Education has increased funds allocated through the Title V program from $12 million in 1994-95 to $228 million in 2023-24. Funds awarded through Title V grants are intended to improve access to quality education for all students and do not require use specifically for Hispanic students. “HSIs must demonstrate the quality and merit of their efforts to earn federal funding, and they use these funds not to the exclusion of any student but to the benefit of all,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia . “ Excelencia is focused on ensuring Latino, and all, students in higher education are served with intentionality and impact. Our annual analysis of HSIs is less about institutions that enroll a concentration of a certain racial/ethnic group and more about institutions that provide access to students seeking opportunity.” Institutions have an ongoing opportunity to become learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. Excelencia established the Seal of Excelencia , a national certification for colleges and universities that more intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students, to support this transformation. Only 43 of the 602 HSIs have earned the Seal. Key findings from Excelencia’s HSI analysis include: HSls represent 20% of colleges yet enroll 30% of all undergraduates and over 60% of all Latino undergraduates. HSIs enroll over 1.5 million Latino FTE undergraduate students, compared to 340,000 in 1994-95. Almost half (45%) of undergraduate students at HSIs are Hispanic, while 26% are White, 9% are Black, 9% are Asian, and 11% are of other backgrounds. Over 70% of HSls are public and 60% are four-year institutions. HSls are located in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Over 40% of the nation’s HSIs (257) offer graduate programs (gHSIs). The Department of Education’s spending to support HSIs has increased by 65% in the last decade, amounting to $349 million in 2023-24. Beyond HSIs, the number of Emerging HSls (eHSls) — a categorization created by Excelencia to track colleges approaching the 25% Latino student enrollment threshold — also continued to grow, from 412 to 418. eHSIs represent another 14% of all institutions and enroll 15% of Latino students. Excelencia is the leading independent source of information on HSIs and has released annual lists of HSIs, eHSIs, and gHSIs for over 20 years to provide federal agencies, researchers, funders, and others an up-to-date, credible list of institutions that meet the enrollment criteria for HSIs. Access the 2023-24 HSIs Factbook: EdExcelencia.org/research/publications/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis-factbook 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

Justin Lonon is Chancellor of Dallas College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Dallas College Justin Lonon Chancellor Institution website: https://www.dallascollege.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.dallascollege.edu/employee-directory/admin/jlonon/ Justin Lonon is Chancellor of Dallas College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

George Timmons is President of Holyoke Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Holyoke Community College George Timmons President Institution website: https://www.hcc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.hcc.edu/about/news-events-and-media/news-stories/george-timmons#:~:text=Timmons%2C%2054%2C%20holds%20a%20Ph,State%20University%20in%20Norfolk%2C%20Virginia George Timmons is President of Holyoke 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 Maryland, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Maryland 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 57% Of White adults Fast Facts Maryland had the 17th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 18% K-12 Population 13% Total Population Enrollment 19% Latino Students 21% White Students Median Age 29 Latinos 44 White Median Income $39,462 Without a college degree $76,691 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 Maryland. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 8%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Maryland. 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 Maryland Global Campus Public, 4-year or above 48,238 8,484 18% 10,127 1,527 15% 2 Montgomery College Public, 2-year 13,519 4,079 30% 2,594 642 25% 3 University of Maryland-College Park Public, 4-year or above 30,246 3,239 11% 8,075 771 10% 4 Towson University Public, 4-year or above 16,400 1,798 11% 4,064 401 10% 5 Prince George's Community College Public, 2-year 8,049 1,691 21% 1,258 203 16% 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 Indiana, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Indiana 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) 28% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 41% Of White adults Fast Facts Indiana had the 21st largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 13% K-12 Population 9% Total Population Enrollment 18% Latino Students 19% White Students Median Age 26 Latinos 41 White Median Income $36,458 Without a college degree $60,556 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 Indiana. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 11%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Indiana. 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 Purdue University Global Public, 4-year or above 31,502 5,072 16% 7,077 1,036 15% 2 Indiana University-Bloomington Public, 4-year or above 36,571 3,076 8% 7,456 527 7% 3 Purdue University-Main Campus Public, 4-year or above 39,637 2,898 7% 8,494 478 6% 4 Indiana University-Indianapolis Public, 4-year or above 16,582 2,335 14% 4,282 445 10% 5 Ivy Tech Community College Public, 2-year 54,926 2,331 4% 8,303 332 4% 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 workforce recommendations compel policymakers to ensure access to excellence by aligning higher education and economic opportunity. < Back Excelencia’s Policy Agenda: Workforce Excelencia in Education June 2025 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview 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. Excelencia in Education prioritizes: Expanding Work-Based Learning: Strengthening partnerships between colleges and employers to align coursework with employment, provide hands-on experiences, internships, apprenticeships, and career-ready credentials that lead to high-quality jobs with livable wages. Creating Clear Pathways to Workforce Success: Ensuring connectivity between educational programs and careers so students leave higher education with credentials that translate to job opportunities and economic advancement. How can federal and state policy ensure access to excellence by aligning higher education and economic opportunity? Leverage existing federal programs, such as Federal Work-Study, to support experiential learning opportunities for students. Make workforce development an allowable activity for Title V grants to support institutions in creating workforce programs. Incentivize engagement between employers and the institutions serving Latino students. Featured Publications Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Isaac Zuniga is President of City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College Isaac Zuniga President Institution website: https://www.ccc.edu/daley/home/ Bio Page: https://colleges.ccc.edu/2026/05/28/dr-isaac-zuniga-selected-as-next-president-of-richard-j-daley-college/ Isaac Zuniga is President of City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2023-2026 Richard J. Daley College (Daley College) serves over 8,000 students annually with 4,823 enrolled in credit programs, 2,832 enrolled in adult education courses, and 626 enrolled in continuing education. Latinos represent 77% of students. Daley College empowers its diverse community through innovative, high-quality and affordable education in a supportive, inclusive, and equitable environment for life-long learning.

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 Tennessee, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Tennessee 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 42% Of White adults Fast Facts Tennessee had the 24th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 12% K-12 Population 7% Total Population Enrollment 17% Latino Students 19% White Students Median Age 25 Latinos 42 White Median Income $34,164 Without a college degree $59,424 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 Tennessee. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 6%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Tennessee. 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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Public, 4-year or above 28,763 1,727 6% 5,568 273 5% 2 Middle Tennessee State University Public, 4-year or above 16,115 1,567 10% 3,847 285 7% 3 University of Memphis Public, 4-year or above 13,645 1,504 11% 2,948 224 8% 4 Vanderbilt University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 7,143 854 12% 1,820 172 9% 5 Austin Peay State University Public, 4-year or above 7,365 845 11% 2,528 257 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.

Chris Heavey is President of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of Nevada-Las Vegas Chris Heavey President Institution website: https://www.unlv.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.unlv.edu/people/chris-heavey Chris Heavey is President of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2025-2028 University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Nevada’s largest university, serves nearly 33,000 students, with over 30% identifying as Latino. The university offers over 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs across 16 colleges.

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 New Hampshire, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - New Hampshire 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) 37% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 50% Of White adults Fast Facts New Hampshire had the 42nd largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 8% K-12 Population 5% Total Population Enrollment 23% Latino Students 21% White Students Median Age 30 Latinos 46 White Median Income $45,390 Without a college degree $69,792 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 15%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in New Hampshire. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 13%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in New Hampshire. 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 Southern New Hampshire University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 156,755 22,614 14% 24,642 2,781 11% 2 University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Public, 4-year or above 11,230 464 4% 2,606 90 3% 3 Dartmouth College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 4,367 413 9% 1,211 109 9% 4 Nashua Community College Public, 2-year 1,039 241 23% 187 35 19% 5 Manchester Community College Public, 2-year 1,610 217 13% 306 26 8% 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.