Excellence in teaching supports the realities of Latino, and all, students today and can directly impact persistence, graduation, and post-completion outcomes. < Back Latinos in Teaching and Learning Excelencia in Education March 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excellence in teaching directly impacts persistence, graduation, and post-completion outcomes for the post-traditional majority of students. Latinos represent a majority of these students–often balancing work, family, and financial responsibilities as they persist along their educational pathway. Investing in evidence-based teaching techniques, inclusive learning environments, and structured academic support prepares students with the skills and knowledge to succeed and compete in the workforce. This fact sheet presents Excelencia's insights on ways institutions can leverage teaching and learning strategies to advance academic success for Latino, and all, students. Institutional leaders, deans, department chairs, and faculty play a key role in developing inclusive, data-informed teaching and learning strategies by: Promoting student-centered professional development through centers for teaching and learning (CTLs) Supporting culturally responsive strategies through incentives for instructional and curricular redesign Using data to continuously improve teaching and learning Institutions are implementing intentional teaching and learning practices that advance academic excellence for Latino and other post-traditional students. The following are key examples: University of California, Berkeley - The Puente Project Indiana University Northwest - Pedagogical Interest Groups (PIGS) Georgia State University - Latinx Student Services and Outreach (LASSO) Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2026). Latinos in Teaching and Learning . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Excelencia is the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, building momentum to improve Latino, and all, students’ achievement through innovation across three key areas: Leadership, Data, and Practice. Our Approach What We Do Even before Excelencia in Education’s founding in 2004, our co-founders filled a crucial gap in information on Latinos in higher education for institutional leaders, practitioners, and policymakers. Today, we are a national leader in catalyzing institutional transformation for student success in higher education, building momentum to improve Latino, and all, students’ achievement through innovation across three key areas: Leadership: Excelencia leads a national community of action-oriented leaders, practitioners, and supporters to transform higher education. Over 200 college and university presidents and chancellors have chosen to enroll in the Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network, a small group of institutions that disproportionately enrolls and graduates Latino students. Among them, 45 have earned the Seal of Excelencia for efforts to go beyond enrollment and more intentionally SERVE Latino students. Data: Excelencia establishes a foundation of information on factors influencing success for Latino students from which to prompt action, advance effective policies, and catalyze institutional efforts that benefit all students. It began 20 years ago with our annual analysis of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and development of the Emerging HSIs (eHSIs) categorization to inform the field of where Latino and other post-traditional students enroll. It continues today with publications like our comprehensive profile of Latino students, which equip institutions to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students on their campuses. Practice: Excelencia brings attention to evidence-based practices that improve student success in higher education. Premier in this work is Examples of Excelencia , the only national, data-driven effort to recognize programs with evidence of effectiveness in increasing Latino student success amongst all served. Through Examples, we have built a community of practice that demonstrates how student-centered approaches can expand opportunity, increase positive outcomes, and create effective pathways to economic mobility. How We Do It Accelerating Latino student success is Excelencia’s mission, and confianza is how we do it. Excelencia was born from our commitment to change the narrative about Latino college students from a focus on deficit-oriented diagnoses and intractable achievement gaps to a focus on asset-based opportunities to accelerate Latino student success. We believe that what describes us does not divide us — unless we let it happen. We frame serving Latinos as an opportunity — not to exclude others, but to transform institutions in a way that can benefit all. Confianza embodies elements of trust, responsibility, and mutual respect. Through an ongoing process of communication, collaboration, and innovation, we act as a trusted partner, facilitator, and guide for colleges and universities considering how they strengthen their efforts to more intentionally SERVE Latino students. LEARN MORE Our Tactical Plan for Latino Student Success Latinos represent one of the fastest growing populations nationally and within higher education. Excelencia has developed a tactical plan to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students with the understanding that doing so ultimately serves our country: Design a national acceleration plan for Latino students in higher education Advocate publicly societal benefits for raising Latinos’ degree completion [Policy Agenda ] Track degree completion goals and measures of progress [Latino College Completion: U.S. ] Replicate and expand institutional practices that are working for Latino students [Examples of Excelencia ] Build a community of common cause [Excelencia in Action network ] Align and deliver educational support efforts to institutions [Technical Assistance Institutes ] Increase support and accountability for institutions intentionally serving Latino students [Seal of Excelencia ] Evolve efforts to support institutional transformation as a trusted intermediary

Latinos will need to earn 6.2 million degrees by 2030 to reach the U.S. degree attainment goal. Learn about Latino College Completion in Delaware Latino College Completion - Delaware Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. However, different patterns emerge within each state or location. To reach the Latino degree attainment goal by 2030, states can close the degree completion gap by accelerating Latino completion while increasing for all students and scale up programs and initiatives that work for Latino, and all, students. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2021) 25% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 48% Of White adults Fast Facts Delaware had the 40th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 16% K-12 Population 10% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 50% Latino Students 76% White Students Median Age 27 Latinos 49 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 51% Latino Students 68% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 26%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Delaware. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 17%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Delaware. BACK TO MAIN LCC PAGE Top Institutions To find out more about the top institutions enrolling, and awarding associate and bachelor degrees to Hispanics by using the tabs below to navigate the information. Click on the tabs below to explore. ENROLLING ASSOCIATES DEGREES BACHELORS DEGREE Top Institutions Enrolling (Hispanic Undergraduates) in Delaware, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Delaware Public, 4-year or above 18,707 1,761 9% 2 Delaware Technical Community College-Terry Public, 4-year or above 10,837 1,590 15% 3 Wilmington University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 7,626 1,038 14% 4 Delaware State University Public, 4-year or above 4,179 435 10% 5 Goldey-Beacom College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 667 99 15% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Delaware, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Delaware Technical Community College-Terry Public, 4-year or above 1,685 196 12% 2 University of Delaware Public, 4-year or above 325 47 14% 3 Delaware College of Art and Design Private not-for-profit, 2-year 38 5 13% 4 Goldey-Beacom College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 26 3 12% 5 Wilmington University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 52 3 6% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Delaware, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Delaware Public, 4-year or above 4,254 391 9% 2 Wilmington University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 1,829 138 8% 3 Delaware State University Public, 4-year or above 613 73 12% 4 Goldey-Beacom College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 171 24 14% 5 Delaware Technical Community College-Terry Public, 4-year or above 94 7 7% 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 Excelencia in Education. (2020). Ensuring America’s Future: Benchmarking Latino College Completion to 2030. Excelencia in Education. Washington, D.C. U.S. Census Bureau, 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Excelencia in Education Analysis using the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2021 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey and Institutional Characteristics Survey.

Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS) is a national network of postsecondary leaders committed to Ensuring America’s Future by making our country stronger with the talents, skills, and contributions of Latino college graduates. 2025 Excelencia in Action Profile Higher education leaders with skills and vision are fundamental to our country’s strong recovery. Those prepared to engage and intentionally serve Latino students, while serving all their students, will lead the way. – Sarita Brown, Co-Founder and President of Excelencia in Education Excelencia in Action (E-Action) is a network of more than 208 postsecondary leaders from 28 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico committed to a collective goal with Excelencia in Education of Ensuring America’s Future by making our country stronger with the talents, skills, and contributions of Latino, and all, college graduates. DOWNLOAD PROFILE Which Institutions Are in the E-Action Network? The E-Action network represents a coalition of colleges and universities across the country that are transforming to become places where Latino, and all, students thrive. Currently, most institutions in the network are: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). About 77% are HSIs, 12% are Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), 11% are neither. Public institutions. Over 84% are public institutions, and the others (16%) are private 4-year institutions. In the South and West regions. Almost three-quarters are in the South (28%) and West (42%). Working to be Seal of Excelencia certified. 48 are nationally certified for intentionally serving Latinos (Sep 2025). What Distinguishes the E-Action Network From Other Institutions? Institutions in the E-Action network are focused on advancing success for Latino and other low-income and first-generation students amongst all served. Comparing the E-Action network to all institutions: Retention rates are higher. Latino faculty representation is about twice as high. Students are more likely to receive Pell Grants and less likely to receive federal student loans or total grant aid. How Does the E-Action Network Accelerate Latino Student Success While Increasing All Student Success? Colleges and universities in the E-Action network lead the nation in enrolling and graduating Latino students: Three of the top five institutions enrolling Latinos nationally are E-Action network affiliates. Three of the top five institutions awarding associate degrees and all of the top five institutions awarding baccalaureate degrees to Latinos nationally are E-Action network affiliates. All of the top five institutions awarding baccalaureate degrees to Latinos have also earned the Seal of Excelencia . How Do Seal of Excelencia -certified Institutions Intentionally Serve Latino, and All, Students? The Seal of Excelencia is a national certification for colleges and universities demonstrating positive momentum and intentionality in SERVING Latino, and all, students. The certification is valid for three years. As of September 2025, 48 institutions have earned the Seal of Excelencia . Of these, eight institutions from the 2019 inaugural cohort have been recertified twice and are now Intentionally Thriving Institutions demonstrating intentionality and impact for their students beyond completion by preparing and connecting them to the workforce. The Seal-certified institutions are located in 11 states. Three states enroll 1 in 3 Latino undergraduates, three states enroll 1 in 4, and a significant concentration are in the other five states. Among Seal-certified institutions: Undergraduates have higher retention rates than students at all institutions. Undergraduates are more likely to receive Pell Grants and less likely to receive federal student loans. Latino faculty representation is over two times higher than at all institutions. Latinos’ degree outcomes are better than those at all institutions. How Do Institutions in the E-Action Network Benefit from Partnering with Excelencia ? Once institutions join the E-Action network, they have prioritized access to a range of opportunities and tools that equip them to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students on their campuses while serving all: Capacity Building Institutes. Excelencia gives priority for participation in our Capacity Building Institutes to institutions in the E-Action network. The Institutes meet institutions where they are on their transformation journey to support and reinforce capacity to intentionally serve. Research Opportunities. The commitment to Latino, and all, student success made by institutions in the network extends to their participation in Excelencia’s research, which informs higher education policy, promotes evidence-based practices, and compels action that accelerates Latino student success while increasing all student success. Policy Forums. Excelencia engages institutional leaders in the E-Action network in frank discussions about the issues impacting Latino students, empowering them to set the national agenda for Latino, and all, student success in higher education. Promotion on a National Stage. Excelencia celebrates Latino, and all, students and graduates from institutions in the E-Action network year round, and we promote the colleges and universities whose intentionality supported these students to progress their journeys. To join the E-Action network, please contact: E-Action@EdExcelencia.org .

To reinforce institutional capacity to better serve, Excelencia has created the Ladder of Engagement which is a system of technical assistance comprised of support, tools, resources, and expertise. Institutional Capacity Building Excelencia in Education helps colleges and universities embed student-centered data-driven continuous improvement cycles into their strategies and practices to demonstrate measurable outcomes and prove their positive student impact to funders, accreditors, and the communities they serve. To support and reinforce institutional capacity to more intentionally serve all students, Excelencia’s capacity building programming meets institutions where they are in their transformation and supports their journey to build sustainable, campus-wide habits of accountability. Build sustainable, campus-wide habits of continuous improvement. LEARN MORE Excelencia leverages more than 20 years of experience listening to, learning from, and working with colleges and universities in transforming their campuses into places where Latino, and all, students thrive. In this community of practice, Excelencia offers curated content and peer support to institutions in their journey to more intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. 2026 Excelencia's C apacity Building Programming To build and support institutional capacity, Excelencia offers institutional teams institutes in the Seal of Excelencia framework areas of data, practice, and leadership as well as key policy areas: Data Institute: Strengthen your team’s capacity to analyze, interpret, and leverage data to drive institutional data-based decisions and actions. Evidence-Based Practices Institute: Builds your team’s capacity to assess impact and document intentionality of your efforts for data-driven accountability and continuous improvement Alignment Institute : Offers a cohort-driven and interactive engagement to align institutional data, evidence-based practices, and leadership strategies to increase student success. Post-Completion Institute : Engages institutional teams in developing, implementing, and measuring support systems for the post-completion success of Latino, and all, students. Additional information and registration links for each institute can be found here . Institutes A student-centered self-assessment tool for institutions to evaluate who they serve, don't serve, and aim to serve. It identifies strengths, challenges, and opportunities for greater intentionality by examining data, leadership, and practices linked to success for Latino and all students. Three facilitated cohorts to choose from. A SSITA Intake form and additional information for each can be found here . SSITA (Seal Serving Institutional Transformation Assessment) What Works Workshops Finding What Works: Exploring Your Campus for Impactful Programs - A workshop series to support your institution's journey in identifying programs serving Latino, and all, students and exploring their impact. Sharing Excellence: A Workshop to Craft Stories of Impactful Programs – A workshop series that offers higher education leaders a writing lab experience to craft a narrative of your program efforts grounded in intentionality and evidence. Additional information and registration links for each institute can be found here . Webinars 2026 Examples of Excelencia Submission Webinar - During this one-hour virtual session, the Institutional Programs team will provide an overview of the submission process, including the changes for 2026. Virtual on February 11. Register here . 2026 Seal of Excelencia Certification Application Webinar - Webinar provides an overview of the 2026 application process, key dates and resources available. It will also feature 2025 Seal certified institutions who will share their experiences and recommendations. Virtual on March 30. Register here . Expand Your Knowledge with Excelencia What will institutional teams experience at Excelencia’s capacity building events and activities? Excelencia’s capacity building opportunities offer interactive, content-rich sessions by subject matter specialists, policy makers, researchers, leaders in higher education, and representatives from Seal of Excelencia certified institutions and Examples of Excelencia programs to build momentum and increase capacity to become spaces where all students thrive. What is Excelencia’s approach to help institutions examine their data, practices, and leadership strategies? As a trusted and respected convener, Excelencia creates environments built on confianza for institutional teams to engage in asset-based discussions on data, evidence-based practices, leadership strategies, and policy with a student-centered lens to identify institutional strengths and opportunities. How does Excelencia facilitate sharing and learning among peer institutions as they build capacity to increase student success? Excelencia’s Capacity building activities offer opportunities to engage and network with other institutions as cohorts to build communities of common cause and practice sharing experiences, strategies, practices, strengths, and opportunities. What will institutions gain (walk away with) after engaging in Excelencia’s capacity building opportunities? Excelencia offers dedicated time and space for institutional teams to reflect, discuss, and develop tactical action plans for campus-wide implementation using Excelencia’s robust tools to examine their own data, practices, and leadership strategies. What support do institutions receive after engaging in Excelencia’s capacity building opportunities? Excelencia's team remains a resource for all institutions that engage in capacity building and seek further opportunities to increase their student success. For those attending institutes, Excelencia offers opportunities to continue learning and sharing with peer institutions through facilitated engagement at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up sessions after each institute. For more information or for any questions, please email our team at InstCapacity@EdExcelencia.org . LEARN MORE

With the belief that good policy is informed by good practice, Excelencia brings national attention to programs that are exemplary in the way they intentionally and effectively serve Latino students. Annual Examples of Excelencia Evidence-Based Programs That Are Intentional In SERVING Latino, And All, Students: With the belief that good policy is informed by good practice, Excelencia brings national attention to programs that exemplify an intentional commitment to advancing Latino and other post-traditional students in higher education. These programs demonstrate evidence-based practices that can inform and guide student-centered efforts. Learn more about each of the Examples of Excelencia . 2025 Examples of Excelencia : The 2025 Examples of Excelencia are building faculty pipelines, providing holistic supports that help students earn degrees and credentials, connecting classroom learning to in-demand jobs, and offering research and mentorship experiences that foster persistence, completion, and career success. Together, these programs demonstrate the power of intentional design in facilitating access to excellence for all students. ASSOCIATE LEVEL: General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (GM ASEP) Institution/Organization: Cerritos College State: California Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Mentoring Program Profile: Download BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: ÁNDALE Latino Research Training Program Institution/Organization: California State University, Long Beach State: California Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Undergraduate Research Program Profile: Download GRADUATE LEVEL: Crossing Latinidades Humanities Research Initiative Institution/Organization: University of Illinois Chicago State: Illinois Issue Area: Retention Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Other, Doctoral Training and Professionalization Program Profile: Download CBO LEVEL: Avanza RGV: Accelerating Latino Prosperity through Education & Career Pathways Institution/Organization: Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) State: Texas Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Adult Learners Program Profile: Download 2024 Examples of Excelencia : The 2024 Examples of Excelencia were selected from a group of 18 finalists that were gathered from 103 program profile submissions representing 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Download Icon Download a copy and read the 2024 edition of What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education for more information about each program’s evidence-based practices and their impact. ASSOCIATE LEVEL: English for Academic Purposes Institution/Organization: Reading Area Community College State: Pennsylvania Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Bilingual/ESL BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Institution/Organization: Washington State University State: Washington Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: First-Year Support GRADUATE LEVEL: Project upGRADS Institution/Organization: California State University, Fullerton State: California Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: First-Year Support, Mentoring CBO LEVEL: Career Pathways: Empowering Students to Succeed Institution/Organization: The Immokalee Foundation, Inc. State: Florida Issue Area: Access Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Scholarship WEBINAR RECORDING Elevating What Works for Latino Students: A Conversation with Practitioners Leading Successful Programs During this webinar, representatives from the 2024 Examples of Excelencia shared their programs' evidence-based practices to improve higher education outcomes. They also discussed how they measure their programs’ impact and offered insights into implementation efforts for other institutions and communities to consider. 2023 Examples of Excelencia : The 2023 Examples of Excelencia were selected from a group of 19 finalists that were gathered from 103 program profile submissions that represented 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Download Icon Download and read a copy of the 2023 edition of What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education for more information about each program’s evidence-based practices and their impact. ASSOCIATE LEVEL: Engineering Program at Wright Institution/Organization: City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College State: Illinois Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Transfer BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: Spanish Community Translation and Interpreting Program Institution/Organization: The University of Texas at Arlington State: Texas Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Discipline/Subject GRADUATE LEVEL: Graduate Equity Fellowship Program Institution/Organization: California State University, Chico State: California Issue Area: Retention Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Mentoring CBO LEVEL: College and Career Success Institution/Organization: Breakthrough Central Texas State: Texas Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: First-Year Support, Mentoring

Cultivating Confianza: Excelencia in Education’s Trust-Based Approach to Latino Student Success lays out our roadmap for how we can work together to intentionally SERVE Latino students, while serving all, at this crucial time. Cultivating Confianza: Excelencia in Education’s Trust-Based Approach to Latino Student Success Released: September 2021 Excelencia in Education has served as a reputable research organization and noted change agent in higher education. With a steadfast commitment to accelerating Latino student success while increasing all student success, Excelencia works with institutions and education leaders to take a holistic, intentional approach to serving Latino, and all, students. In that time, Excelencia has cultivated a national reputation for not only identifying and lifting up what works, but for doing so with a unique, trust-based approach that ensures change is transformative and sustainable. Cultivating Confianza: Excelencia in Education’s Trust-Based Approach to Latino Student Success tells the story of how Excelencia does this work - and how the next chapter of the organization will leverage these learnings to increase support for Latino, and all, students and those who serve them. Part storytelling, part roadmap, and a call-to-action, Cultivating Confianza provides a unique look at how a successful organization operates, learns, and grows with humility and service to students and their institutions. There is a clear and necessary role for all of us to play in supporting Latino, and all, students over the next decade. Cultivating Confianza outlines how Excelencia will continue carrying out its dynamic leadership role in this endeavor. DOWNLOAD

Latino, and all, students deserve an opportunity to thrive. For two decades, Excelencia in Education’s community of common cause has supported more Latino students to graduate and grown talent for our country’s civic leadership and workforce. Support Our Mission Building the Nation’s Human Capital Who will champion the success of Latino students — and all students — as essential to our nation’s future? We believe the answer is you. DONATE NOW For more than 20 years, Excelencia in Education has advanced excellence and Latino student success in higher education because the promise of our nation depends on developing the talent of Latino — and all — students. You share a deep and abiding faith in our community of common cause and in our collective capacity to significantly improve the success of Latino, and all, students. Together, we are ensuring more college graduates drive social and economic mobility in their communities and throughout the nation. Excelencia’s approach is deliberate, grounded in data, strengthened by leadership, and tested by practice. We work with college and university leaders who replicate what works and hold themselves accountable for advancing student success and producing outcomes for students, families, and communities. Excelencia unites leaders committed to transforming higher education to advance the human capital our country needs to thrive. The Futuro Fund is how individuals like you make this work possible. It is a direct investment in Excelencia’s long-term strategy to accelerate higher education success for Latino, and all, students. We invite you to give a gift to the Futuro Fund that is meaningful to you and make a long-term investment in America’s future. Be a guardian of possibility, a champion of talent, and a partner in ensuring that Latino student success — and the success of all students — fuels a stronger nation for generations to come. Scan the QR code above to make tax-deductible donations today! To stay connected and support Excelencia in Education, please sign up now. Our Funding Partners The following leaders make common cause with Excelencia by investing in our work to advance excellence and student success in higher education: Ascendium Education Group The Gilbert & Jacki Cisneros Foundation ECMC Foundation The Kresge Foundation Trellis Foundation HSF California State University, Northridge Bank of America Diverse: Issues in Higher Education Gates Foundation Lumina Foundation Strada Education Foundation Wells Fargo JPMorgan Chase Hector and Gloria López Foundation Donate With Confidence Excelencia is committed to transparency and demonstrating quality in our efforts, as evidenced by our Four-Star rating from independent evaluator Charity Navigator and our Seal of Transparency from Candid . Be confident that your donation will be used to its fullest potential.

Stay informed with the latest from Excelencia as we continue to apply a Latino lens to critical issues in higher education. NEWS Latest News Excelencia in Education analysis, efforts, and experts are featured in hundreds of media outlets every year, from NBC News, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Stay informed with the latest from Excelencia as we continue to apply a Latino lens to critical issues in higher education. Media Inquiries To cover Excelencia analysis and efforts, or to get in touch with one of our experts for an interview, please contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org March 17, 2026 New Analysis Shows Latino Talent Is Key to U.S. Global Competitiveness as AI Changes Workforce Needs Read More February 25, 2026 Leaders Join Excelencia’s Board and Expand Capacity to Advance National Talent Read More October 23, 2025 Colleges and Universities Recognized for Excellence in Serving Students, Growing Talent and Advancing Success Read More September 30, 2025 18 Colleges and Universities Taking Responsibility for Students’ Educational and Economic Success Earn the Seal of Excelencia Read More September 29, 2025 Excelencia in Education Announces the 2025 Examples of Excelencia Read More 1 2 3 4 1 ... 1 2 3 4 ... 4 Communications Resources Referring to Excelencia in Education Excelencia in Education’s name is intentionally bilingual, reflecting our commitment to Latino students amongst all, quality education, and the asset base available to the U.S. by supporting Latinos’ excellence in education. Please italicize “Excelencia ” in all references to the organization and relevant efforts (e.g., “Seal of Excelencia ”). Our Logo We trademarked Excelencia’s logo in 2024. Please access high-resolution versions of Excelencia’s logo by contacting: Media@EdExcelencia.org Our Boilerplate 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 Our Social Media Excelencia is active on the following social media platforms: LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/company/excelencia-in-education Facebook: Facebook.com/EdExcelencia Instagram: @excelencia_in_education Medium: ExcelenciainEducation.medium.com YouTube: ExcelenciaEducation X: @EdExcelencia Hashtags to follow: #LatinoStudentSuccess #StudentSuccess #ExcelenciaInAction #ExcelenciaInEducation #Excelencia #ExcelenciaSeal #GrowingExamples #HigherEd

With 20 years of experience listening to and learning from higher education leaders and practitioners, Excelencia continues to link research, policy, and practice with active collaborations through our network to increase the college-educated Latino talent that will strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. Marking Two Decades of Impact Excelencia in Education started shaping the national agenda to accelerate Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education 20 years ago with our first publication, “Latino Student Success at Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Findings from a Demonstration Project .” Since then, we have built upon and leveraged the insights from this project to support hundreds of colleges and universities to assess and progress their efforts to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. Today, with 20 years of experience listening to and learning from higher education leaders and practitioners, we continue to link research, policy, and practice with active collaborations through our network to increase the college-educated Latino talent that will strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. EXPLORE OUR TIMELINE Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary As a Latina-founded and -led organization, Excelencia in Education marked two decades of service to our mission with a 20th Anniversary Cena attended by partners from across the country — a special evening of celebration and shared commitment to accelerating Latino student success. Leaders in higher education, business, philanthropy, and government joined Excelencia co-founders, Board members, and staff for this celebratory cena in the nation’s capital. We celebrated what we’ve accomplished together and renewed our commitment to accelerate Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education going forward. Experience the celebration in photos below. Continuing Our Common Cause Excelencia recognizes our funders and contributors who believed in our mission and vision during our first 20 years and share in the success of our impact. Focused on even greater impact, we have launched the Excelencia Futuro Fund, a concerted campaign to advance the Seal of Excelencia and efforts to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. Join us in shaping the future by investing in our work. Together, we will continue to accelerate Latino student success while increasing all student success and ensure America’s bright future. CONTRIBUTE NOW

Excelencia established the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment to better SERVE Latino students. Seal of Excelencia Trendsetting colleges and universities across the country are taking responsibility for transformation that ensures their students earn a quality education of value. Excelencia in Education created the Seal of Excelencia as a national certification that holds colleges and universities accountable for continuous improvement in student success before and beyond graduation — reinforcing higher education’s role as an engine of social mobility, economic vitality, and workforce development. The Seal of Excelencia recognizes and drives excellence at institutions with Latino students, knowing that an intentional, mission-driven investment that includes serving this population, ensures all of our students, communities, and country are served. " The Seal of Excelencia recognizes institutions that are lifting the students that they serve. Being an institution that serves Latino learners should do more than just serving — ensuring students have everything they need when they walk out those doors to improve their lives and the lives of their families for generations to come. That intentionality was missing before Excelencia introduced the Seal. " - Eloy Ortiz Oakley, President & CEO, College Futures Foundation Continuous, Student-Centered Improvement The Seal of Excelencia is a rigorous, student-centered, data-informed certification framework that requires colleges and universities to show momentum leading to continuous improvement in student outcomes. Institutions earn this standard of excellence through an intentional alignment of data, evidence-based practices, and leadership, all resulting in student success. Is your institution ready to demonstrate intentionality and impact? The Seal of Excelencia Framework FIND OUT The Seal represents a voluntary journey of continuous improvement in student success — not a destination. Excelencia charted this journey based on 20 years of working with institutions and offers tools to assess readiness and build capacity along the way. There are 45 institutions that have earned the Seal, spanning three progressive levels of certification: Certified, Recertified, and Intentionally Thriving Institutions (ITIs). Could your institution lead alongside these trendsetters? Institutions on the Seal Certification Journey JOIN THEM The Seal and Institutional Value The Seal helps colleges and universities move beyond isolated programs toward systemic change to intentionally serve all students. Seal certification is both a national standard of excellence and proof of positive student impact to funders, accreditors, and communities. Does Seal certification align with your institution’s vision? LOOK AHEAD Expand Your Knowledge with Excelencia How does the Seal of Excelencia uphold the value of higher education? The Seal framework reinforces four essential components of higher education value: 1) Ensuring all students succeed; 2) Supporting continuous improvement institution-wide; 3) Enhancing economic/social mobility; and 4) Demonstrating effective use of public funds. Institutions that earn the Seal articulate how they deliver this value for students, communities, and our country. Does the Seal of Excelencia apply only to institutions serving Latino students? The Seal framework combines data on the educational pathway for all students served — not Latinos alone — with evidence of impact from intentional practices and leadership commitment from strategic planning. For that reason, it applies to all institutions serving post-traditional students. Excelencia focuses on Latino students because they represent the post-traditional majority, and what works for them can also work for others. What distinguishes Seal of Excelencia certified institutions from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)? HSIs are defined as having 25% or more undergraduate Hispanic student full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment, and they constitute a critical set of colleges and universities expanding access to higher education. Through the Seal, Excelencia asserts the opportunity to go beyond enrollment and deconstruct the “S” in “HSI” to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. An institution does not need to be an HSI to earn the Seal. Is my institution ready to start the Seal of Excelencia certification journey? Institutions must join our community of practice and affiliate with the Excelencia in Action network to be eligible for Seal certification. Applicants will tell their story of intentionally serving Latino, and all, students through data, practice, and leadership. Institutions can assess their readiness for certification with our Seal Serving Institutional Transformation Assessment (SSITA) tool and capacity building opportunities. To learn more, contact us at: Seal@EdExcelencia.org. What makes Intentionally Thriving Institutions (ITIs) stand out from other Seal of Excelencia certified institutions? ITIs have committed to the journey toward continuous improvement for more than six years, earning Seal recertification twice along the way. In addition to ensuring Latino, and all, students thrive on campus, ITIs demonstrate strong post-completion success outcomes — preparing and linking Latino, and all, students to the workforce and growing talent for America’s future.

Ryan Cornner is Superintendent/President of Glendale Community College, California, and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Glendale Community College, California Ryan Cornner Superintendent/President Institution website: https://www.glendale.edu/home Bio Page: https://www.glendale.edu/about-gcc/administration/superintendent-president Ryan Cornner is Superintendent/President of Glendale Community College, California, and part of Excelencia in Action network.