Jana Schwartz is President of Paradise Valley Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Paradise Valley Community College Jana Schwartz President Institution website: https://www.paradisevalley.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.paradisevalley.edu/leadership/dr-jana-schwartz Jana Schwartz is President of Paradise Valley Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Anthony E. Munroe is President of CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College Anthony E. Munroe President Institution website: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/about-bmcc/college-administration/anthony-e-munroe/ Anthony E. Munroe is President of CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Pam Y. Eddinger is President of Bunker Hill Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Bunker Hill Community College Pam Y. Eddinger President Institution website: https://www.bhcc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.bhcc.edu/about/officeofthepresident/ Pam Y. Eddinger is President of Bunker Hill Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Rebekah Woods is President of Columbia Basin College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Columbia Basin College Rebekah Woods President Institution website: https://www.columbiabasin.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.columbiabasin.edu/connect/about-cbc/our-leadership/meet-the-leadership-team.html Rebekah Woods is President of Columbia Basin College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Scott Thayer is President of Cypress College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Cypress College Scott Thayer President Institution website: https://www.cypresscollege.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.cypresscollege.edu/office-of-the-president/#:~:text=in%20January%2C%202024.-,Dr.,needs%20resources%20in%20prior%20roles Scott Thayer is President of Cypress College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Massey Villarreal is Chief Executive Officer & President of Precision Task Group, Inc., and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Massey Villarreal Chief Executive Officer & President Precision Task Group, Inc. Massey Villarreal is Chief Executive Officer & President of Precision Task Group, Inc. He is a respected business leader and a long-time advocate for the Latino community and higher education. Villarreal is immediate past chairman of the Texas Association of Business (TAB) and serves on the Texas Association of Community College Business Advisory Council, the WWII Museum, and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) National Council. He was the first person to serve as chairman of a local, state, and national Hispanic chamber, including the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the Texas State University System Board of Regents.

Tim Culver is Interim President of Mohave College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Mohave College Tim Culver Interim President Institution website: https://www.mohave.edu/ Bio Page: Tim Culver is Interim President of Mohave College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

< Back to News Page Business and Education Trailblazers Chosen to Lead Board of National Nonprofit Accelerating Latino Student Success Feb 11, 2025 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Results Focused Leaders in Education, Industry, and Policy Advance the Talents of the Latino Community on Excelencia in Education’s Board of Directors WASHINGTON, D.C. ( February 11 , 202 5 ) – Excelencia in Education, the nation’s leading organization focused on accelerating Latino student success in higher education, announce d today two respected change agents in business and higher education will lead its board of directors in 2025. With decades of combined experience in postsecondary education, the private sector, and policy, the full 10-member board will contribute their expertise and vision as Excelencia continues to increase Latinos’ degree attainment through 2030. “ Excelencia remains steadfast in growing Latino excellence through higher education,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia . “We are honored our chair, vice chair, and the full board keep Excelencia at the forefront in shaping the national agenda for expanding Latino talent for the workforce and civic leadership. By informing, catalyzing, and highlighting the colleges and universities that intentionally serve Latino, and all, students, Excelencia serves our country.” The leaders of Excelencia’s board of directors in 2025 are: Board Chair: Massey Villarreal , chief executive officer and president of Precision Task Group, Inc., is a respected business leader and long-time advocate for the Latino community and higher education. Villarreal is immediate past chairman of the Texas Association of Business (TAB) and serves on the Texas Association of Community College Business Advisory Council, the WWII Museum, and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) National Council. He was the first person to serve as chairman of a local, state, and national Hispanic chamber, including the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He has also served on the Texas State University System Board of Regents. Board Vice Chair: Elizabeth Béjar serves as provost, executive vice president, and chief operating officer of Florida International University, one of 46 institutions that has earned the Seal of Excelencia for striving to go beyond enrollment to intentionally SERVE Latino students. Dr. Béjar is a key member of the university’s executive leadership, overseeing an annual budget of approximately $1.4 billion and providing strategic oversight of the institution’s academic and student success portfolio. Her expertise lies in understanding the changing landscape of higher education; working to propel the value proposition of higher education with intentionality and through the lens of student learning and success and research excellence. Dr. Bejar leads critical strategic initiatives, including the development of the university’s 2030 Strategic Plan, along with an implementation plan to further FIU’s mission to curate a meaningful student experience that leads to excellent outcomes. She joined FIU in 2003 and has held several key leadership positions. Since its founding in 2004, Excelencia in Education has improved Latino students’ higher education achievement through a portfolio linking leadership, data, and evidence-based practices. The organization’s national Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS) network comprises over 200 college and university presidents and chancellors, representing only 6% of institutions yet enrolling 33% and graduating 35% of Latino students nationwide. Additionally, Excelencia conducts analysis on issues impacting Latino students’ college journeys and promotes evidence-based practices advancing their success to inform policy and compel action. “As a business leader, I know Excelencia in Education’s mission to accelerate Latino student success in higher education is essential in keeping America first in the global economy,” said Massey Villarreal, chief executive officer and president of Precision Task Group, Inc ., and chair of Excelencia’s board of directors. “Working with colleges and universities in our national network that intentionally serve Latino, and all, students grows talent that will translate into a skilled workforce and capable leadership.” The other members of the executive committee are: Carlos E. Santiago , past chair, commissioner emeritus of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) Geronimo M. Rodriguez Jr. , secretary/treasurer, former chief advocacy officer at Ascension Texas Sarita E. Brown , co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education The other leaders in Excelencia’s board are: Audrey Dow , partner at Secoya Affect Maria Harper-Marinick , senior fellow at the Aspen Institute Andrés Henríquez , director of STEM education strategy, US Division, at Education Development Center, Inc. Juan Sánchez Muñoz , chancellor of the University of California, Merced Havidán Rodríguez , president of the University at Albany, State University of New York “The leaders on Excelencia’s board bring diverse perspectives and share a commitment to transforming higher education to ensure Latino, and all, students thrive,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia . “They are taking responsibility for increasing Latinos’ degree attainment with the understanding that doing so benefits everyone.” Meet the Excelencia in Education Board of Directors : EdExcelencia.org/about/our-people 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

Steven R. Gonzales is Chancellor of Maricopa Community College District and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Maricopa Community College District Steven R. Gonzales Chancellor Institution website: https://www.maricopa.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.maricopa.edu/chancellor/biography Steven R. Gonzales is Chancellor of Maricopa Community College District and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Morgan Phillips is President of Gateway Technical College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Gateway Technical College Morgan Phillips President Institution website: https://www.gtc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.gtc.edu/about-gateway/college-leadership Morgan Phillips is President of Gateway Technical College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

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 Alabama. Latino College Completion - Alabama 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 39% Of White adults Fast Facts Alabama had the 34th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 8% K-12 Population 5% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 32% Latino Students 33% White Students Median Age 24 Latinos 43 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 58% Latino Students 68% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 1%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Alabama. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 10%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Alabama. 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 Alabama, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 The University of Alabama Public, 4-year or above 30,725 1,687 5% 2 Auburn University Public, 4-year or above 24,782 947 4% 3 University of Alabama at Birmingham Public, 4-year or above 13,284 889 7% 4 John C Calhoun State Community College Public, 2-year 6,795 575 8% 5 Troy University Public, 4-year or above 10,916 495 5% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Alabama, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 John C Calhoun State Community College Public, 2-year 1,368 79 6% 2 Snead State Community College Public, 2-year 408 75 18% 3 Northeast Alabama Community College Public, 2-year 429 57 13% 4 George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Public, 2-year 975 51 5% 5 Columbia Southern University Private for-profit, 4-year or above 1,582 49 3% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Alabama, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 The University of Alabama Public, 4-year or above 7,278 364 5% 2 Auburn University Public, 4-year or above 5,641 192 3% 3 Columbia Southern University Private for-profit, 4-year or above 3,131 163 5% 4 University of Alabama at Birmingham Public, 4-year or above 2,870 131 5% 5 Troy University Public, 4-year or above 2,326 100 4% 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.

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.