This report highlights the borrowing patterns of students who choose to enroll in college and provides suggestions about why certain students may not borrow. < Back Student Aversion to Borrowing: Who Borrows and Who Doesn't Deborah A. Santiago ; Alisa Cunningham November 2008 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication, Fact Sheet Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview This report highlights the borrowing patterns of students who choose to enroll in college and provides suggestions about why certain students may not borrow, even when borrowing seems to be a logical choice. 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 Virginia, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Virginia 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) 35% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 54% Of White adults Fast Facts Virginia had the 14th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 16% K-12 Population 11% Total Population Enrollment 21% Latino Students 23% White Students Median Age 29 Latinos 43 White Median Income $36,861 Without a college degree $73,834 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 6%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Virginia. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 9%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Virginia. 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 Northern Virginia Community College Public, 2-year 31,737 9,352 29% 5,526 1,341 24% 2 George Mason University Public, 4-year or above 27,083 4,724 17% 6,047 999 17% 3 Liberty University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 50,059 3,722 7% 11,406 690 6% 4 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Public, 4-year or above 30,435 3,138 10% 8,075 586 7% 5 Virginia Commonwealth University Public, 4-year or above 20,797 2,424 12% 4,679 497 11% 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.

This brief identifies top institutions graduating and preparing Latinos for a global economy, providing a roadmap for employers to meet U.S. workforce needs. < Back Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent for a Global Economy Excelencia in Education February 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview For 20 years, Excelencia in Education has served its mission to accelerate Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education in order to address the country’s need for a highly educated workforce and civic leadership. "Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent for a Global Economy" represents the latest extension of Excelencia’s hallmark work of bringing national attention to higher education institutions and practices advancing Latino talent, strengthening our economy, and ensuring America’s future. Latinos have the highest labor force participation, with 66 percent of those 16 years and older in the labor force, and demonstrates they will account for 91 percent of new workers — the largest number of any group — and one in five workers overall by 2031. However, Latinos are the most likely to be employed in manual labor occupations and earn the lowest salary compared to other groups. This brief presents Excelencia’s roadmap for both employers and institutions to take action to ensure America’s future by advancing Latino talent. The top institutions awarding credentials at each level are: NUC University in Puerto Rico (Certificate) Miami Dade College in Florida (Associate) Florida International University in Florida (Baccalaureate and Master’s) Nova Southeastern University in Florida (First Professional and Doctorate) Strategies for institutions and employers to link Latino graduates to the workforce include: Invest in high-wage, high-demand career pathways by developing stackable credentials in collaboration with employers and funding short-term career programs. Provide transition services between completion and employment or graduate school, including financial and mental health support. Connect the Latino talent pipeline to employers by recruiting graduates for internal employment opportunities and leveraging partnerships with employers. Suggested Citation: Santiago, D., Labandera, E., Arroyo, C., & Nour, S.R. (February 2024). Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent for a Global Economy. Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. This brief initiates a series that highlights the top institutions graduating Latinos in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), health, and education, accompanied by examples of institutional efforts to improve Latinos’ college completion linked to these sectors. Additional Resources PODCAST EPISODE: Finding your Workforce – Latino Talent for a Global Economy highlights best practices to leverage the high labor force participation rate of Latinos, projected to be one in five workers by 2031. Deborah Santiago, Excelencia in Education's co-founder and CEO, in episode 53 of ACT's Ready for Work podcast discusses the importance of developing stackable credentials, providing transition services, and connecting Latino talent to employers. Get ready to uncover actionable insights, debunk common myths, and discover best practices to reduce skill shortages. WEBINAR: Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent for a Global Economy Ensuring America’s future to meet our nation’s economic and civic engagement requires both institutions and employers have a tactical plan to link Latino, and all, college graduates to the workforce. Leaders from institutions, employers, and philanthropy shared their perspectives and efforts for educating, preparing, and connecting Latinos to the workforce. 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 Connecticut, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Connecticut Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. To make our country stronger and meet the economy’s demand for a highly educated workforce, we must ensure access to quality higher education for Latino, and all, students. This requires accelerating Latino degree completion, increasing completion for all students, and scaling programs and initiatives proven to support Latino, and all, student success. The following demographics, institutional data, and practices inform Latino degree attainment. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2026) 29% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 56% Of White adults Fast Facts Connecticut had the 18th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 27% K-12 Population 19% Total Population Enrollment 21% Latino Students 25% White Students Median Age 31 Latinos 48 White Median Income $37,296 Without a college degree $72,559 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 10%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Connecticut. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 15%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Connecticut. 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 Connecticut State Community College Public, 2-year 32,292 10,444 32% 4,380 1,022 23% 2 University of Connecticut Public, 4-year or above 19,147 3,091 16% 5,558 804 14% 3 Central Connecticut State University Public, 4-year or above 7,670 1,534 20% 1,778 274 15% 4 Southern Connecticut State University Public, 4-year or above 6,180 1,519 25% 1,667 357 21% 5 Post University Private for-profit, 4-year or above 18,975 1,237 7% 1,956 285 15% 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.

Leah Bornstein is President of Aims Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Aims Community College Leah Bornstein President Institution website: https://www.aims.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.aims.edu/employee-directory/leah-bornstein Leah Bornstein is President of Aims Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval is President of California State University-Fresno and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-Fresno Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval President Institution website: https://www.calstate.edu/ Bio Page: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/about-the-csu/leadership/presidents/Pages/Sandoval.aspx Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval is President of California State University-Fresno and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2024-2027 California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) is the largest 4-year institution in the San Joaquin Central Valley. Fresno State serves a four-county area with a total population of 1.76 million; overall 60-66% are Latino, African American, Asian, Native American, and Pacific Islanders. Fresno State’s journey as a nationally distinguished Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) is one that uplifts evidence-based practices that are serving Latino students, faculty, and communities, while also acknowledging an ability to serve all historically marginalized groups.

JP Deering serves as Director of Communications of Excelencia in Education. JP supports media relations and curating digital content. < Back to Our People Page JP Deering Director of Communications Excelencia in Education Email: jpdeering@edexcelencia.org Current Position: JP Deering serves as the Director of Communications of Excelencia in Education, supporting media relations and curating digital content. In addition, he also coordinates the development of the organization’s branding and style guide which is executed in partnership with Excelencia’s strategic plan. Past Experiences: JP comes to Excelencia from INTO University Partnerships, an international education organization where he served as corporate communications manager until 2022. He began his career in 2016 as a teaching assistant at the University of Kentucky, working primarily with international and post-traditional students on written and digital projects. JP earned his B.A. in English with a minor in politics from Centre College. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? Throughout my career, I have focused on one question: How do we make higher education in the U.S. work better for students it has not traditionally prioritized or intentionally served? Excelencia answers that question by shining a light on evidence-based practices and programs that work for Latino students and holding institutional leaders and decision makers accountable for meaningful transformation. I am eager to be a part of that effort. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Two words best describe working at Excelencia : growth and intentionality. Growth, because the innovators within this organization consistently push the envelope and challenge me to learn something new every day. Intentionality, because everyone here is committed and strategic when it comes to advancing Latino student success and building a community of common cause with like-minded leaders and advocates. This is not an organization of box-checkers.

Through Examples of Excelencia, Excelencia in Education recognizes evidence-based programs increasing Latino, and all, student success and thus facilitating access to excellence. Growing What Works Learn What Works for Student Success Through Examples of Excelencia , Excelencia in Education recognizes evidence-based programs increasing Latino, and all, student success and thus facilitating access to excellence. These programs can inform and guide more intentional and student-centered efforts at institutions across the country. Explore Advancing What Works to Intentionally Serve Latino Students: Opportunities for Action - 2024, a compilation of 35 nationally recognized programs that take asset-based and student-centered approaches to intentionally SERVE Latinos and other post-traditional students across five key areas. LEARN MORE Are you looking for more examples of what works? Our team can provide you a curated list of programs, based on your interests, that are making an impact on Latino, and all, student success in higher education. Contact us by email or complete this short form to connect with us.

The Excelencia Fellowship Program engages leaders from Seal of Excelencia certified institutions in the E-Action network that have demonstrated data-informed, student-centered, continuous improvement to ensure their students thrive. The Excelencia Fellowship Program The Excelencia Fellowship Program engages leaders from Seal of Excelencia certified institutions in the Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network that have demonstrated data-informed, student-centered, continuous improvement to ensure their students thrive. These institutions nominate campus leaders who exemplify their commitment to intentionally serving Latino, and all, students. In turn, Excelencia puts a select few on a path to serve on the frontline of higher education transformation through the program. Fellows participate in programming that deepens their understanding of federal higher education policy and national strategy and leverages the Seal of Excelencia framework so they can strengthen institutional effectiveness and build a strong community of practice. In the three years since the program began, several leaders have been promoted and at least one Fellow has become the president of an institution. Excelencia selected 12 higher education leaders for our 2026 cohort of Fellows, increasing their voices to inform policy and practice 2026 Excelencia Fellows Claudia Aguilar Interim Chief Innovation Officer, Long Beach City College Yvania Garcia-Pusateri Director, Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers, California State University, Fullerton Victor Munoz Director of First Year Experience, City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College April Aultman Becker Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, Sul Ross State University Alam Hasson Vice Provost, California State University, Fresno Maira Rodriguez Director of Virtual Support, Pima Community College Gilbert V. Castillo, Jr. Dean for Performance Excellence, San Antonio College Julia Heck Associate Vice President for Student Life and Support Programs and Dean of Students, California State University Channel Islands Luis Duarte Executive Director of the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES) Program, University of Illinois Chicago Patricia López Associate Professor and Chair, California State University, Fresno Marla Franco Special Advisor, Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives, University of Arizona Deanna Merino Contino Associate Vice President, Student Life, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Excelencia's institutes, workshops, and convenings provide forums for sharing knowledge on effective strategies for Latino student success. Our events engage leadership from multiple sectors to focus on Latino students as essential to America’s human capital growth. Events This section will be updated as events information and opportunities to engage with Excelencia are available. 2026 INVITATIONAL FALL CONVENING OCTOBER 25-27, 2026 | MAYFLOWER HOTEL, WASHINGTON, DC Designed to support our Excelencia in Action network, Excelencia’s invitational Fall Convening is the meeting place for professionals setting the national agenda for excellence in higher education. The invitational multi-day event includes the Celebración de Excelencia and the national announcement of the Seal of Excelencia to colleges and universities that earned the certification. To learn more, email us at Events@EdExcelencia.org Data Institute 3 virtual modules | July 14, 21, and 28 @ 1-5pm ET | Application deadline: June 10 Strengthen your team’s capacity to analyze, interpret, and leverage data to drive institutional data-based decisions and actions. All institutes have limited space so it’s essential to apply early. LEARN MORE & APPLY Leading with Value: Presidential Perspectives on the Seal of Excelencia Framework Virtual webinar | July 28 @ 2pm ET Join Excelencia in Education and PATH for a conversation exploring how the Seal of Excelencia serves as a student-centered, data-informed framework for institutional transformation. Hear directly from two presidents of Seal-certified institutions about how they have leveraged the Seal to transform their campuses. REGISTER HERE Post-Completion Institute 3 virtual modules | TBD | Application deadline: TBD Engages institutional teams in developing, implementing, and measuring support systems for the post-completion success of Latino, and all, students. All institutes have limited space so it’s essential to apply early. LEARN MORE & APPLY Alignment Institute 3 virtual modules | September 15, 22, and 29 @ 1-5pm ET | Application deadline: September 9 Offers a cohort-driven and interactive engagement to align institutional data, evidence-based practices, and leadership strategies to increase student success. All institutes have limited space so it’s essential to apply early. LEARN MORE & APPLY SSITA - Fall Cohort 2 virtual sessions | October 14 and November 18 @ 2-4pm ET | Application deadline: September 9 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. REGISTER HERE Finding What Works: Exploring Your Campus for Impactful Programs 2 virtual sessions | September 22 and 29 @ 1-3pm ET A workshop series to support your institution's journey in identifying programs serving Latino, and all, students and exploring their impact. Registration is open to all, with priority for institutions in the E-Action network. REGISTER HERE

Peggy Heinrich is President of Elgin Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Elgin Community College Peggy Heinrich President Institution website: https://elgin.edu/ Bio Page: https://elgin.edu/about/administration/president.php Peggy Heinrich is President of Elgin Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Britt Rios-Ellis is President of California State University, Stanislaus and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University, Stanislaus Britt Rios-Ellis President Institution website: https://www.csustan.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.csustan.edu/president#:~:text=Britt%20Rios%2DEllis%2C%20M.S.%2C,of%20California%20State%20University%2C%20Stanislaus Britt Rios-Ellis is President of California State University, Stanislaus and part of Excelencia in Action network.