This brief serves as a primer on conditions and history of the invention of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and how they contribute to Latino student success. < Back Inventing Hispanic-Serving Institutions: The Basics Deborah A. Santiago February 2006 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are important institutions for Latinos, yet little research exists on them. This brief serves as a primer on the conditions and history behind their invention, the processes for identification, and the general institutional characteristics of HSIs. It also offers an overview of how these institutions are contributing to Latino student success. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

James W. Crawford is President of Texas Southern University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Texas Southern University James W. Crawford President Institution website: https://www.tsu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.tsu.edu/about/office-of-the-president/ James W. Crawford is President of Texas Southern University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Summary and list of the 276 institutions identified as HSIs with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) in 2024-25. < Back Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs (gHSIs): 2024-25 Excelencia in Education April 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Of the 631 Hispanic-Serving Institutions in 2024-25, 276 offer graduate degrees (184 offer doctoral degrees as the highest degree, 70 offer master’s degrees, and 22 offer a post-master’s certificate). Excelencia in Education has been tracking HSIs that offer graduate degrees since the organization’s founding in 2004 to identify institutions potentially eligible for federal funding through the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) grant program. The list of institutions identified as HSIs with graduate programs in this analysis is not intended to designate eligibility for any specific program; rather, the list is meant to assist in considering and analyzing the institutions that meet the legislative definition of an HSI and offer graduate programs. See additional data related to 2024-25 HSIs: Fact Sheet List Emerging HSIs (eHSIs) List Infographic Interactive Dashboard Interactive StoryMaps Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2026). Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs (gHSIs): 2024-25 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more in Excelencia’s new HSI Factbook. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Analysis highlights policy efforts that may help, hinder, or need reexamining to close college completion equity gaps for Latinos in California, Colorado, and Texas. < Back Helping or Hindering? State Policies & Latino College Completion Deborah A. Santiago ; Emily Calderón Galdeano March 2015 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Summary for Discussion SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview With support from the Ford Foundation , Excelencia in Education conducted data analysis and preliminary policy audits in 3 key states — California, Colorado, and Texas — to consider existing state policies most obviously connected to equity and college completion. The result is a high level review of state policies that may be helping, hindering, or warrant reconsideration to improve Latino, and all, student success in higher education. DOWNLOAD REPORT BELOW The brief profiles Latino and other post-traditional students in the three states, expands the consideration of public policy from national to state governance levels and links to Excelencia in Education’s national initiative, Ensuring America's Future by Increasing Latino College Completion . Partners in the selected states include The Campaign for College Opportunity (CA), Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Colorado Coalition for the Educational Advancement of Latinos (CoCEAL) (CO), and Educate Texas (TX).ana CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP WEIGHS IN “The future of our country hinges on the success of the Latino community. Latino students deserve a quality education – from the early learning stages all the way to the higher education years. In order to close the equity gap, it is critically important that policies address the needs of Latino youth.” - Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Linda Sánchez (CA 38th District) "It is vital that we continue to focus on bridging the achievement gap for Latinos in higher education. As policymakers, we have the ability and responsibility to help more students succeed and we must take seriously the recommendations made in this report." - Representative Loretta Sanchez (CA 46th District) "Excelencia in Education’s findings underscore the importance of closing the achievement gap. For far too long, minority students have gotten the short end of the stick. If we are to truly give minority students the opportunity of a quality education, we must advocate for and implement some of the policy recommendations laid out in this audit. Only then, will we begin to fix our education system." - Representative Mark Takano (CA 41st District) "Colorado knows all too well the persistent achievement gap that exists between white students and their Latino peers. We must narrow this gap by examining our education policies and identifying which ones are actually improving Latino student success rates, and which ones aren’t. Excelencia in Education’s state audit is an important step in achieving these goals." - Representative Jared Polis (CO 2nd District) "For the sake of our nation’s future, policies at every level of government should aim to close the equity gap and support, not impede, all young people’s access to a higher education. Young Latinos like all students in America, should have the opportunity to attend and graduate college. Earning a higher education makes it possible for folks to find a good job and achieve their dreams." - Representative Joaquin Castro (TX 20th District) Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Susana Rivera-Mills is President of Aurora University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Aurora University Susana Rivera-Mills President Institution website: https://aurora.edu/index.html Bio Page: https://aurora.edu/president/leadership/susana-rivera-mills.html S usana Rivera-Mills is President of Aurora University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

In this fact sheet, we provide a summary of fast facts on HSIs, Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), and HSIs with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) in 2024-25. < Back Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Fact Sheet: 2024-25 Excelencia in Education April 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview There are now 631 HSIs located in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These institutions represent 21% of all colleges and universities but enroll 65% of Latino, and 32% of all undergraduates, and graduate 67% of Latino, and 32% of all undergraduates earning a degree in the U.S. As the number of HSIs is increasing, the number of eHSIs and gHSIs also continues to increase. In this fact sheet, we provide a summary of fast facts HSIs, Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), and HSIs with Graduate Programs (gHSIs). See additional data related to 2024-25 HSIs: List Emerging HSIs (eHSIs) List Infographic with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) List Interactive Dashboard Interactive StoryMaps Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2026). Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Factsheet: 2024-25 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more about how Excelencia creates the list of HSIs. Learn more in Excelencia ’s new HSI Factbook Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Carlos Hernandez is President of Sul Ross State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Sul Ross State University Carlos Hernandez President Institution website: https://www.sulross.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.sulross.edu/dr-carlos-hernandez-named-interim-president-of-sul-ross-state-university/ Carlos Hernandez is President of Sul Ross State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2024-2027 Sul Ross State University (SRSU) is a small, diverse community that values personal interactions, with the mission to deliver quality undergraduate and graduate education. SRSU is a Hispanic-serving public institution located in Alpine, Texas with instructional sites along the U.S.-Mexico borderlands in Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and Uvalde, serving 13 counties as the only public university. SRSU has a 97% acceptance rate with 68% of its students being Latino.

This brief examines financial aid strategies aimed at increasing enrollment, success, and completion at 8 Texas Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). < Back Reality Check: Hispanic-Serving Institutions on the Texas Border Strategizing Financial Aid Deborah A. Santiago January 2011 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication Executive Summary SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview As Latino representation in U.S. higher education grows, a reality check of institutional practices that support Latino, and all, students' access, persistence, and graduation is needed. This brief examines financial aid strategies aimed at increasing enrollment, academic success and degree completion at eight Texas Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) located along the U.S.-Mexico border serving low-income communities. These institutions rank among the top institutions, both statewide and nationally, in enrolling and graduating Latino students: Texas A&M International University The University of Texas at Brownsville The University of Texas at El Paso The University of Texas Pan American Laredo Community College Texas Southmost College El Paso County Community College District South Texas College Understanding what influences Latino students' financial aid choices and which institutional practices are effective in enrolling, retaining, and graduating Latino students amongst all is directly relevant to other institutions that are only beginning to experience growth in the number of their non-traditional students. The findings of this brief are intended to inform the programs and services at institutions with growing Hispanic enrollment, as well as state and federal policymakers addressing the broader growth of Hispanic students throughout higher education. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

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.

< Back to News Page Four Higher Education Programs Recognized for Their Exemplary Work in Advancing Latino, and all, Student Success Sep 30, 2024 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Excelencia in Education Recognizes the 2024 Examples of Excelencia, Amplifying Evidence-Based Practices That Work for Latino, and All, Students WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 30, 2024) – In our 20th year identifying and promoting what works for Latino, and all, students in higher education, Excelencia in Education announced today four programs recognized as the 2024 Examples of Excelencia . These programs exemplify what is possible when higher education institutions and community-based organizations intentionally serve Latino, and all, students on their journey to and through college. The 2024 Examples are addressing academic barriers, creating a sense of belonging, increasing affordability, providing experiential learning opportunities, and investing in wrap-around services that improve higher education outcomes. Each year, four Examples of Excelencia are selected from the associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organization levels for their intentionality and evidence of effectiveness in increasing Latino student success. The 2024 Examples emerged from 345 nominations from 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 103 program submissions, and 18 finalists. The 2024 Examples of Excelencia are: English for Academic Purposes , Reading Area Community College – Reading, PA (Associate Level) The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) , Washington State University – Pullman, WA (Baccalaureate Level) Project upGRADS , California State University, Fullerton – Fullerton, CA (Graduate Level) Career Pathways: Empowering Students to Succeed , The Immokalee Foundation, Inc. – Immokalee, FL (Community-Based Organization Level) “We must make a positive difference in the lives of our college students who trust us to help them meet their education goals. The 2024 Examples of Excelencia are proof there is good work implemented around the country," said Adriana Rodriguez, COO and vice president for institutional programs at Excelencia in Education. “These programs model what other institutions and organizations can implement in their own communities.” Examples of Excelencia is the only national, data-driven effort to identify, aggregate, and promote evidence-based practices increasing Latino, and all, student success in higher education. Since 2005, Excelencia has received over 2,000 program submissions, recognized over 400 programs for their impact, and raised and awarded over $2 million to programs making a positive difference for Latino, and all, students across the country. A committee of diverse higher education leaders selected the 2024 Examples of Excelencia to showcase innovative programming and proven practices that support Latino and other post-traditional students academically, financially, and socially. These programs serve as replicable models of cultural responsiveness that lead to credit and degree completion, which in turn supports Latino families and communities to ensure America’s future. Programs selected annually as Examples of Excelencia and finalists are featured online in Excelencia’s Growing What Works Database — the only national, searchable database for institutional leaders, funders, policymakers, and others interested in evidence-based programming for Latino, and all, students. This year’s Examples of Excelencia will be honored at the organization’s annual Celebración de Excelencia in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the 2024 Examples of Excelencia : https://www.edexcelencia.org/what-works/examples-excelencia/annual-examples-excelencia About Excelencia in Education Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers transforming higher education to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. With this network, Excelencia ensures access to excellence by promoting student achievement, informing educational policies, and advancing evidence-based practices to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org

Ellen J. Neufeldt is President of California State University-San Marcos and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-San Marcos Ellen J. Neufeldt President Institution website: https://www.csusm.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.csusm.edu/president/about/bio.html Ellen J. Neufeldt is President of California State University-San Marcos and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2024-2027 California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) is a regional university located in North San Diego County dedicated to serving nearly 16,000 students, of which 52% of undergraduates identify as Latino. CSUSM is committed to providing accessible, top-tier education to the Latino community and other underserved groups while addressing their unique needs. CSUSM prioritizes social mobility because it has a transformative impact on individuals, families, and communities, empowering students to unlock their full potential for lifelong success by overcoming barriers that may have hindered earlier generations.

Lynne Murray is President of McMurry University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page McMurry University Lynne Murray President Institution website: https://mcm.edu/ Bio Page: https://mcm.edu/news/mcmurry-university-announces-11th-university-president/ Lynne Murray is President of McMurry University and part of Excelencia in Action network.