Cynthia K. Larive is Chancellor of the University of California-Santa Cruz and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of California-Santa Cruz Cynthia K. Larive Chancellor Institution website: https://www.ucsc.edu/ Bio Page: https://chancellor.ucsc.edu/about/ Cynthia K. Larive is Chancellor of the University of California-Santa Cruz and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2025-2028 The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), a public four-year Hispanic-Serving Research Institution (HSRI), serves 17,940 undergraduates of which 29% are Latino and 31% first-generation.

This fact sheet provides allies on the mainland with information on enrollment and completion, funding patterns, and challenges for higher education in Puerto Rico. < Back Higher Education in Puerto Rico Excelencia in Education May 2019 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth, almost two years ago (September 2017) and most educational institutions were severely impacted. Many are still recovering. As those on the island look to rebuild, it is important potential allies on the mainland are more aware of the enrollment and completion, funding patterns, and future challenges of higher education in Puerto Rico. Learn the facts Download the Higher Education in Puerto Rico fact sheet Learn more about Latino College Completion in Puerto Rico Support To support colleges and universities in Puerto Rico dealing with the aftereffects of Hurricane Maria, Excelencia dedicated a session during the 2018 Accelerating Latino Student Success (ALASS) Institute and joined forces with Margarita Benitez, Executive Director of the Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades. The Importance of Colleges and Universities in Puerto Rico Highlights from the 2018 ALASS Institute The Fundación Puertorriqueña de las Humanidades (FPH) / Puerto Rico Endowment for the Humanities is the equivalent of a Humanities State Council: an independent, non-profit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities and dedicated to promoting humanistic values in its region. Margarita Benítez is the executive director. Since its creation in 1977, the FPH has significantly enabled Puerto Rico’s cultural and humanistic development by supporting organizations, communities, museums, universities and individuals as they undertake projects that reflect the diversity of the Puerto Rican experience, its heritage, traditions and history in the island and beyond. FPH’s support of research, symposia, exhibitions and multiple public programs contribute to the understanding and dissemination of the Puerto Rican humanistic experience in all its forms. For the past eight decades, higher education in Puerto Rico has been the most reliable pathway for individual and collective advancement. Puerto Rico is now facing a difficult economic situation, made more complicated by the ongoing repercussions of Hurricane Maria and demographic trends that show a reduction in the birth rate and an increase in the over 60 population Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

< Back to News Page New Analysis Shows Critical Role Hispanic-Serving Institutions Play in Educating Latino, and All, Students Apr 8, 2026 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Excelencia in Education Finds That HSIs Enroll and Graduate Two-Thirds of Latino, and One-Third of All, Undergraduates, but Face Elimination of Federal Funding WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 8, 2026) – Excelencia in Education today released its annual analysis of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) — identifying 631. HSIs now represent 1 out of every 5 colleges and universities (21%), yet they enrolled and graduated 65% of Latino, and 32% of all, students in the past year. The Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2026 Factbook details the current profile of HSIs, including their growth and pipeline. The Factbook also describes themes of how HSIs have innovated with federal Title V capacity-building funds to provide a quality education for Latino, and all, students, and it articulates the disruption to their efforts when the current administration eliminated $350 million in funding for HSIs and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) last year. Excelencia’s analysis shows the number of HSIs increased by 29 in 2024-25. HSls are defined as having 25% or more undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment. HSIs have tripled since they first received federal funding more than 30 years ago — reflecting significant growth in Latino college enrollment. As HSIs grow, they also serve more students from all backgrounds — enrolling 42% of Asian, 24% of Black, and 18% of White undergraduates in college today. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) challenged the constitutionality of the MSI programs and redistributed this funding to other programs for FY2025. This includes $229 million that Congress appropriated to HSIs through the Title V Developing HSIs Program for capacity building that improves education access and quality for Latino and other low-income students. Excelencia estimates $112 million will be lost for 49 institutions in 12 states that successfully competed for five-year Title V grants in 2024 — undermining advancements on their campuses that benefit all students they enroll. There remains uncertainty around HSI funding. Despite Congress’ FY2026 appropriation of about $259 million for HSIs through Title V funds, the current administration has demonstrated a clear intention that it will redistribute these funds, along with the $78 million appropriated for other MSIs, to the Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP), funded at $102 million. The analysis anticipates that this move will result in HSIs with low education and general expenditures and high enrollment of needy students competing for needed funds with a much larger pool of over 1,000 eligible institutions. "The current administration’s actions contradict the critical role HSIs play in providing access to a quality education and meeting our national need for a highly educated citizenry and workforce,” said Deborah Santiago, Excelencia in Education Co-founder and CEO. “As HSIs enroll a greater share of all students, the need for sustained, targeted investment in strengthening their capacity has never been clearer.” The Factbook further highlights the innovation and capacity-building efforts halted by the elimination of Title V funding. It shows 2024 grantees planned to leverage funds to modernize learning infrastructure and academic programs, invest in faculty development and student-centered support systems for all students, and link students to workforce opportunities. In particular, Miami Dade College — an institution that has earned the Seal of Excelencia for continuous improvement in student success — planned to invest Title V funds on its Medical Campus to strengthen the region’s healthcare workforce pipeline. Excelencia also identified institutions that have sustained work that began with Title V investments, demonstrating the progress and transformation possible through this funding. Examples of sustained work include embedding career exploration into core coursework, leveraging AI for financial education, strengthening industry partnerships, elevating high-impact research opportunities, and implementing evidence-based course redesign. Excelencia releases its analysis of HSIs every year to inform the field of where Latinos enroll, examine institutional efforts increasing student success, and compel action to transform higher education and intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. Access the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2026 Factbook here: 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

Cathy Sandeen is President of California State University-East Bay and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-East Bay Cathy Sandeen President Institution website: https://www.csueastbay.edu/index.html Bio Page: https://www.csueastbay.edu/administration/index.html Cathy Sandeen is President of California State University-East Bay and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified: 2024-2027 California State University, East Bay (CSUEB) is a public university located in Hayward. CSUEB caters to the diverse aspirations of its student population and is a transfer-oriented campus. Almost over 60% of its undergraduates were transfer students, and 36% of those are Latino. In Fall 2023, CSUEB enrolled 13,338 students with more than 41% of undergraduates identifying as Latino. The University is designated both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI).

This brief examines Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) representing a small segment of higher education. < Back Black + Brown: Institutions of Higher Education Excelencia in Education; United Negro College Fund September 2014 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Seeing the critical national importance of examining the profile of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) alongside historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Excelencia in Education, in partnership with the United Negro College Fund - Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, released new analysis to bring intentional focus to strengthening minority student success. While HBCUs and HSIs only represent 20 percent of all institutions in the nation, these institutions educate nearly half of all Black and Latino students, many of whom are low-income and first-generation college attendees. Given the population growth of these students overall, both HSIs and HBCUs are in a distinct position to help move the country’s college completion agenda forward. Therefore, showing the commonalities between these two groups of institutions can be beneficial in raising policy awareness about Latino and Black students and the institutions serving them. The following summarizes key points of comparison between HSIs and HBCUs: HBCUs are defined as any historically Black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association. HSIs are defined as accredited and degree-granting public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education with 25% or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent student enrollment. 60% of undergraduate students at HSIs and HBCUs are Hispanic or Black. In 2012-2013, half of HBCUs (50%) and most HSIs (68%) were public institutions. HBCU-enrolled Black students and HSI-enrolled Hispanic students are more likely to be women than men (60% female vs. 39% male for HBCU-enrolled Black students and 58% female vs. 40% male for HSI-enrolled Hispanic students). In 2012, 92% of HBCUs were located in the southern United States, with 76% in the southeast, with Alabama (15), North Carolina (10), Georgia and Texas (9) leading the rest of the nation. In 2012-2013, 73% of students enrolled at HBCUs were recipients of Pell Grant, compared with a national average of 42%. In 2012-2013, 85% of HSIs were located in five states and Puerto Rico, with California having the most HSIs (127). There are 370 HSIs located in 15 states and Puerto Rico overall. In 2012-2013, there were 277 emerging HSIs, defined as institutions with 15-24% undergraduate full-time Hispanic enrollment. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

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.

Excelencia’s interactive dashboard provides data on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in 2024-25 based on sector, student body race/ethnicity, and location. < Back Explore Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Dashboard: 2024-25 Excelencia in Education April 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS HSIs Dashboard SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview What is the breakdown of HSIs in 2024-25 by sector? What does the student body look like at HSIs by race/ethnicity? Where are HSIs located? Check out Excelencia’s HSI interactive dashboard to find out the answers. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Arrick Jackson is Chancellor of Indiana University Northwest and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Indiana University Northwest Arrick Jackson Chancellor Institution website: https://northwest.iu.edu/index.html Bio Page: https://northwest.iu.edu/chancellor/chancellor-info/index.html Arrick Jackson is Chancellor of Indiana University Northwest and part of Excelencia in Action network.

For 20 years, Excelencia has conducted and released its annual analysis that provides insight on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), and HSIs with Graduate Programs (gHSIs). Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) For over 20 years, Excelencia in Education has conducted and released its annual analysis that provides insight on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), and HSIs with Graduate Programs (gHSIs). Excelencia in Education leadership has worked with, studied, and learned from institutions meeting the HSI criteria over the years. Along the way, Excelencia : developed a methodology for creating a list of HSIs; created and popularized the category of Emerging Hispanic-Serving institutions (eHSIs); added the development of lists for Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate programs (gHSIs); produced analysis, lists, and briefs to better understand Latino, and all, student success; and, engaged communities of HSIs committed to more intentionally serve their students. HSI Lists: 2024-25 What is included in Excelencia’s release and how can I learn more using this analysis? 631 HSIs Hispanic-Serving Institutions LEARN MORE 427 eHSIs Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions LEARN MORE 276 gHSIs Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs LEARN MORE Factbook Learn more from Excelencia’s summary of HSIs, eHSIs, and gHSIs in the HSIs Factbook . LEARN MORE Dashboard Explore the 2024-25 data on HSIs in Excelencia’s new HSI interactive dashboard. LEARN MORE Infographic Visualize fast facts with Excelencia’s 2024-25 HSIs Infographic . LEARN MORE StoryMap Learn more about the 31-year evolution of HSIs through Excelencia’s HSI StoryMap. LEARN MORE Expand Your Knowledge about HSIs with Excelencia What are Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and how have they evolved? Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) first received federal funding in 1995–three years after being initially included in the Higher Education Act. HSIs are defined in federal legislation as accredited, degree-granting public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education with 25% or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment. Since the organization’s founding, Excelencia in Education has released its annual analysis on this critical group of institutions enrolling and graduating Latino and other post-traditional students. In 2024-25, there were 631 HSIs, located in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These institutions represent 21% of all colleges and universities, yet enroll 65% of Latino, and 32% of all, undergraduates. What is the purpose of HSIs? The classification of HSIs was formally recognized in federal legislation for capacity-building support to improve academic quality and access to excellence at institutions with a high concentration of Latino students. While HSIs, by definition, have student bodies that are at least 25% Hispanic, they serve students of various backgrounds. How are HSIs funded? Institutions are not guaranteed any funding because they meet HSI enrollment criteria. Rather, they are eligible for competitive grants and must demonstrate the quality and merit of their work. Federal funding earned through competitive HSI grants does not require use exclusively or specifically for Hispanic students. It may be used to serve all students. In 30 years, only about one-third of institutions that meet the enrollment definition of HSIs have received funding under Title V. What have we learned about HSIs from Excelencia ? Excelencia in Education’s first publication in 2004 was “Latino Student Success at Hispanic-Serving Institutions.” And we have continued examining HSIs and their role in Latino, and all, student success in higher education ever since to frame issues, contexts, understanding and opportunities. For example, we created the emerging HSI indicator in 2009 based on our analysis of concentrated enrollment and institutional effort for intentionally serving Latinos amongst all. What data can researchers access to do their own research on HSIs? Excelencia in Education is making three datasets available over the years of HSIs, Emerging HSIs, and HSIs with Graduate programs for researchers to conduct their own analysis for a nominal fee. Learn More Where are HSIs located now and and how has this evolved? Excelencia's interactive StoryMap provides an interactive set of story maps that visualize the representation of HSIs by growth, sector, and geography. Explore Our StoryMap What are Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions? Excelencia in Education created the term "Emerging HSIs" as a way to track institutions on their way to becoming an HSI. Emerging HSIs are defined as public or not-for-profit degree granting institutions with 15-24.9% Latino undergraduate full-time equivalent enrollment. Learn More What are Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs? Of the 631 Hispanic-Serving Institutions in 2024-25, 276 offer graduate degrees (184 offer doctoral degrees as the highest degree, 70 offer master’s degrees, and 22 offer a post-master’s certificate). Learn More All HSIs Resources Since the organization’s founding, Excelencia has released its annual analysis on this critical group of institutions enrolling and graduating Latino, and all, students, including research on: The latest list of HSIs, Emerging HSIs, and HSIs with Graduate Programs Excelencia’s methodology for creating a list of HSIs The 2024-25 data on HSIs in Excelencia’s HSI interactive dashboard The evolution of HSIs through Excelencia’s HSI StoryMap Scroll by using the arrows below to navigate through all research available.

Christopher Maynard is President of Texas A&M International University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Texas A&M International University Christopher Maynard President Institution website: https://www.tamiu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.tamiu.edu/newsinfo/2025/09/tamiumaynardpresident91825.shtml Christopher Maynard is President of Texas A&M International University 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 Utah, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Utah 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 51% Of White adults Fast Facts Utah had the 23rd largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 20% K-12 Population 16% Total Population Enrollment 20% Latino Students 26% White Students Median Age 26 Latinos 34 White Median Income $39,421 Without a college degree $67,337 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 Utah. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 17%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Utah. 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 Western Governors University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 135,822 20,783 15% 23,973 2,435 10% 2 Salt Lake Community College Public, 2-year 17,247 4,406 26% 2,938 584 20% 3 University of Utah Public, 4-year or above 26,041 3,668 14% 5,556 758 14% 4 Utah Valley University Public, 4-year or above 27,481 3,665 13% 6,788 667 10% 5 Brigham Young University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 32,221 2,577 8% 6,638 454 7% 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.

The goal of this brief is to provide timely and accurate information about how Latino undergraduates participate in financial aid programs to pay for college. < Back How Latino Students Pay For College: Patterns of Financial Aid in 2003-04 Deborah A. Santiago July 2005 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication Spanish Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Although the percentage of Latino students receiving financial aid for college is at an all-time high, Latinos receive the lowest average federal aid awards of any racial or ethnic group, according to a new report released August 10, 2005, by Excelencia in Education and the Institute for Higher Education Policy. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce