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

Robert Garza is President of Palo Alto College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Palo Alto College Robert Garza President Institution website: https://www.alamo.edu/pac/ Bio Page: https://www.alamo.edu/pac/about-pac/leadership/office-of-the-president/ Robert Garza is President of Palo Alto College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Melva Yanes serves as Finance Manager of Excelencia in Education. Melva’s daily responsibilities are invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, and responding to affiliate inquiries. < Back to Our People Page Melva Yanes Finance Manager Excelencia in Education Email: myanes@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As the Finance Manager, Melva’s daily responsibilities are invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, and responding to affiliate inquiries. Her role is essential in supporting Excelencia’s efforts in fiscal modernization and management. Past Experiences: Melva joined Excelencia with previous accounting experience in the nonprofit sector. Melva has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? Excelencia’s mission resonates deeply with me as a first-generation Latina college graduate. Excelencia offers the opportunity to both leverage my current skills and grow professionally with the organization, especially learning first-hand how to scale and modernize financial best practices in the nonprofit sector. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Everyone in the organization is mission-driven and demonstrates a passion for Excelencia’s work. It is amazing to work alongside team members who share their knowledge and bring their best every day.

Summary analysis and list of the top 25 institutions graduating Latino students in STEAM across science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. < Back Finding Your Workforce: The Top 25 Institutions Graduating Latinos in STEAM Across all Degree Levels Ruyu (Iris) Yan; Lily Cuellarsola; Deborah A. Santiago March 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Latino talent is vital to our workforce—particularly in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM), where innovation and creativity converge to drive economic growth. As artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates changes across industries, the future of work will rely on an interdisciplinary workforce that pairs technical expertise with uniquely human capabilities like creativity and collaboration. Integrating the arts into STEM is essential for national competitiveness; however, Latinos remain significantly underrepresented in these high-wage, high-growth sectors. This companion piece summarizes the Top 25 institutions graduating Latino students in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) across all credential levels (certificate, associate, bachelor's, master’s, and doctorate) For the research publication and executive summary, visit: Finding Your Workforce: Linking College Completion with U.S. Workforce Needs in STEAM Finding Your Workforce STEAM Executive Summary Suggested Citation: Yan, R., Cuellarsola, L., & Santiago, D. (2026). Finding Your Workforce: The Top 25 Institutions Graduating Latinos in STEAM Across all Degree Levels. Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Eyra Pérez serves as Senior Strategist of Excelencia in Education. < Back to Our People Page Eyra Pérez Senior Strategist Excelencia in Education Email: eperez@EdExcelencia.org Past Experiences: Eyra brings more than 25 years of experience in Latino student access and success, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, equity-centered practices, program development and management, student development, student leadership, financial aid, transfer, STEM, and parent involvement. Her professional experience includes higher education, K-12 education, and non-profit community-based organizations. Eyra earned a PhD in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), a Master’s in Educational Leadership from UTSA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Our Lady of the Lake University. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? As a first-generation Latina from one of the most distressed and undereducated areas of Texas, I have committed my personal and professional life to ensure Latino students, and all students, are provided the opportunities to access higher education and the experiences, in and out of classrooms, to ensure their success. Being a part of the Excelencia team, grants me the opportunity to serve those that serve our Latino students and fulfill my personal and professional mission. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia is like no other professional experience I have had. I am honored and humbled to work with and learn from institutional leaders and practitioners from across the nation that are committed to creating the thriving environments that our Latino, and all, students need and deserve. I am part of a team of very committed individuals who advance Excelencia ’s mission to accelerate Latino student success by being intentional and innovative as we build on a national stage. Excelencia ’s asset-based approach to leading, investigating, and highlighting what works for Latino students empowers me to do more and work harder.

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 Oregon, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Oregon 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 49% Of White adults Fast Facts Oregon had the 19th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 24% K-12 Population 15% Total Population Enrollment 18% Latino Students 18% White Students Median Age 28 Latinos 45 White Median Income $36,495 Without a college degree $66,428 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 7%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Oregon. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 12%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Oregon. 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 Portland Community College Public, 2-year 18,365 4,122 22% 2,921 476 16% 2 Oregon State University Public, 4-year or above 29,557 3,724 13% 5,829 605 10% 3 University of Oregon Public, 4-year or above 19,758 3,113 16% 4,086 575 14% 4 Portland State University Public, 4-year or above 13,619 3,103 23% 3,839 704 18% 5 Chemeketa Community College Public, 4-year or above 6,457 2,169 34% 1,119 312 28% 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 September 2026 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, federal, state, and institutional 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, in higher education by : Leadership: Organizing a network of institutions and leaders with the common cause of Latino student success to inform and compel action; - Excelencia’s leadership efforts include a network of over 141 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, 45 institutions are Seal-certified, going beyond enrollment to intentionally SERVE Latino 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 increase Latino college readiness and completion, which are more inclusive of a post-traditional population. Excelencia in Education’s Policy Priorities: 2026 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 student success: 1) workforce , 2) institutional capacity , 3) college affordability , and 4) retention and transfer . Guiding Principles T he 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. Workforce Ensuring access to excellence by aligning higher education and economic opportunity. Latinos are one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations 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 Advancing Workforce Readiness Through AI and Digital Innovation 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 Pennsylvania, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Pennsylvania 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 46% Of White adults Fast Facts Pennsylvania had the 11th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 14% K-12 Population 9% Total Population Enrollment 17% Latino Students 24% White Students Median Age 28 Latinos 45 White Median Income $36,467 Without a college degree $65,307 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 Pennsylvania. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 11%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Public, 4-year or above 41,862 3,833 9% 10,775 762 7% 2 Northampton County Area Community College Public, 2-year 7,512 2,126 28% 973 203 21% 3 Temple University Public, 4-year or above 21,249 2,113 10% 5,570 445 8% 4 Community College of Philadelphia Public, 2-year 11,312 2,058 18% 1,575 234 15% 5 Reading Area Community College Public, 2-year 3,338 1,651 49% 452 142 31% 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.

Joyce Ester is President of Governors State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Governors State University Joyce Ester President Institution website: https://www.govst.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.govst.edu/president/ Joyce Ester is President of Governors 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.

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.

S. Jack Hu is Chancellor of the University of California-Riverside and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of California-Riverside S. Jack Hu Chancellor Institution website: https://www.ucr.edu/ Bio Page: https://safety.ucr.edu/about-the-chancellor S. Jack Hu is Chancellor of the University of California-Riverside and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2024-2027 University of California, Riverside (UCR or UC Riverside) serves the Inland Empire, a region characterized by its significant Chicano/Latino population comprising more than 51% of its residents. UC Riverside focuses on enhancing graduation rates, narrowing equity disparities, and broadening the scope of high-impact practices and career and leadership development opportunities for more than 22,000 undergraduates, including more than 9,000 Latino students.