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

Veronica Garcia is President of Northeast Lakeview College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Northeast Lakeview College Veronica Garcia President Institution website: https://www.alamo.edu/nlc/ Bio Page: https://www.alamo.edu/nlc/about-NLC/administration/office-of-the-president/presidents-bio Veronica Garcia is President of Northeast Lakeview College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Guadalupe Acosta serves as the Digital Manager of Excelencia in Education. Guadalupe manages Excelencia's digital communications, including the website, presence in social media platforms, as well as online campaigns. < Back to Our People Page Guadalupe Acosta Digital Manager Excelencia in Education Email: gacosta@EdExcelencia.org Current Position: Guadalupe Acosta serves as the Digital Manager of Excelencia in Education, managing Excelencia ’s digital communications, including the website, presence in social media platforms, as well as online campaigns. Past Experiences: Guadalupe comes to Excelencia with over 4 years of digital and print marketing experience that included work in the public transportation sector bringing awareness to the many benefits of public services. Guadalupe received her B.S. in Paralegal Studies and Spanish and a minor in General Business from Texas A&M University at Commerce. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? As a first-generation high school and university Latina graduate, I know the importance of organizations like Excelencia and the level of impact it can have on Latino student success in higher education. I know that I wouldn’t be where I am, professionally, if it wasn’t for key organizations, programs, and mentors that helped me along the way navigate the education system and overcome the constant challenges. Personally, I couldn’t think of a better service than playing a part in helping accelerate Latino student success in higher education to grow the talent for America’s future workforce and civil society. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia has been the highlight of my professional career. The level of passion and commitment for a common cause is seen everyday with everything that is done, no matter the role and how big or small the task is. I am proud to be part of a very talented team where we all work as one.

Richard Daniel is President of Mesa Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Mesa Community College Richard Daniel President Institution website: https://www.mesacc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.mesacc.edu/about/administration/college-president Richard Daniel is President of Mesa Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

< Back to News Page More Latino Students Apply for Financial Aid to Access College, Yet They Receive the Lowest Average Awards Mar 27, 2025 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Excelencia in Education Brief Highlights How Latinos Pay for College and Trendsetting Institutions Making Degrees More Affordable WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 27, 2025) – Excelencia in Education, the premier authority on accelerating Latino student success in higher education, released today a brief detailing how Latinos use financial aid to pay for college and ways that institutions intentionally serving them ensure a degree is affordable. The brief shows Latinos are more likely to apply for and receive financial aid than other groups, yet they receive the lowest average amount of aid. It then identifies concrete examples of how institutions financially support Latino, and all, students, including institutional aid, paid internships/on-campus employment, and robust advising services. The brief, “ How Latinos Pay for College: 2025 National Trends , ” comes in the wake of executive actions that are impacting higher education broadly, including financial aid. It reveals that 85% of Latino students applied for and 71% received financial aid, according to the most recent data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) in 2019-20. This represents the largest proportion of financial aid participation among any group except for African American students. Latinos are also more than twice as likely to receive grants (67%) than loans (27%) to pay for college. Despite demonstrating high financial need, Latinos received the lowest average amount of aid — just over $11,000, compared to almost $13,000 for all students. This is explained in part by Latinos’ pragmatic choices to access college despite a complicated financial aid system. Latino students who attended less costly community colleges (40%), worked 30+ hours per week (56%), enrolled exclusively part-time (28%), or chose to live off-campus and/or with their parents (89%) were less likely to receive federal financial aid, the most important source of aid for them to pay for college. “As the youngest, fastest-growing population in the U.S., Latinos’ increasing representation in colleges and universities provides unique opportunities for social mobility and economic growth,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia . “Financial aid is critical to supporting Latino, and all, students’ access to higher education. Our brief makes this clear and informs what institutions and policymakers can do to make financial aid more effective for our students and ensure access to quality, affordable education.” In addition to detailing how Latinos finance their education, the brief identifies six practices increasing access and financially supporting Latino, and all, students at trendsetting colleges and universities that have earned the Seal of Excelencia — a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latinos: Align institutional aid to provide funds to mitigate students’ unexpected financial challenges. Offer paid internships or on-campus employment opportunities so that Latino students can offset the cost of their degree while simultaneously gaining transferable skills. Provide support services to help students make informed decisions about their college costs. Contain student costs by offering OER (Open Educational Resources) for courses. Advance full tuition scholarships to students with family incomes at or below a specific financial level. Facilitate and simplify access to aid by managing joint admissions and financial aid applications between two-year and four-year college partners. Findings from the brief inform Excelencia’s policy recommendations for college affordability. At the federal level, recommendations include making basic needs a part of financial aid calculations and prioritizing Pell Grants. At the state level, recommendations include investing in guaranteed tuition plans by family income and mandating FAFSA completion. “How Latinos Pay for College: 2025 National Trends” was made possible with support from Lumina Foundation. Access the full brief: EdExcelencia.org/research/publications/how-latinos-pay-for-college-2025-national-trends About Excelencia in Education 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. With this network, Excelencia accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, informing educational policies with a Latino lens, and advancing evidence-based practices. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org

Kimberly Britt is President of Phoenix College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Phoenix College Kimberly Britt President Institution website: https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.phoenixcollege.edu/about/office-president/dr-kimberly-britt Kimberly Britt is President of Phoenix College and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2023-2026 Phoenix College’s student population of approximately 10,000 represents the diversity of the state of Arizona with 56% Latino students, 76% underrepresented minorities, and 66% first-generation college goers. By preparing students for university transfer and providing career and technical education, Phoenix College serves as a gateway to higher education and plays a central role in the economic vitality and workforce development of the state.

Peggy Korellis is Interim 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 Peggy Korellis Interim President Institution website: https://www.ccc.edu/daley/home/ Bio Page: https://www.ccc.edu/daley/menu/leadership/#:~:text=Korellis%20has%20over%2030%20years,the%20City%20Colleges%20of%20Chicago Peggy Korellis is Interim 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.

Eyra Pérez serves as Vice President of Institutional Capacity of Excelencia in Education. Eyra provides leadership for the technical assistance support Excelencia provides to institutional partners committed to more intentionally serving their Latino students. < Back to Our People Page Eyra Pérez Vice President of Institutional Capacity Excelencia in Education Email: eperez@EdExcelencia.org Current Position: Eyra provides leadership for the technical assistance support Excelencia provides to institutional partners committed to more intentionally serving their Latino students. She manages resources and partnerships with other organizations for the effective and efficient implementation of Excelencia ’s technical assistance plan. Eyra leads Excelencia ’s efforts to build an extensive network of facilitators and practitioners to support and serve institutions in their transformational journeys. She also ensures the delivery of high-quality technical assistance support to institutional partners to facilitate their progress to more intentionally serve Latino students. 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.

Vanya Quiñones 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 Vanya Quiñones President Institution website: https://csumb.edu/ Bio Page: https://csumb.edu/president/ Vanya Quiñones is President of California State University, Monterey Bay and part of Excelencia in Action network.

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

Karol V. Mason is President of CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice Karol V. Mason President Institution website: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.jjay.cuny.edu/about/president-karol-v-mason/presidents-biography Karol V. Mason is President of CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Martha Garcia is President of Mt. San Antonio College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Mt. San Antonio College Martha Garcia President Institution website: https://www.mtsac.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.mtsac.edu/president/ Martha Garcia is President of Mt. San Antonio College and part of Excelencia in Action network.