Elizabeth Davis serves as the Director of Finance of Excelencia in Education. Elizabeth reinforces and strengthens the financial infrastructure of Excelencia. < Back to Our People Page Elizabeth Davis Director of Finance Excelencia in Education Email: edavis@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As the Director of Finance, Elizabeth plays a critical role in reinforcing and strengthening the financial infrastructure for Excelencia in Education. Elizabeth is responsible for timely and accurate financial reporting and analysis for Excelencia’s budget and provides critical inputs to strategic and business planning. Past Experiences: Prior to Excelencia , Elizabeth worked in higher education holding various roles, most recently ensuring divisional financial targets were met and strategic planning supported. Additionally, Elizabeth has experience working with non-profit organizations focused on higher education success. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? Excelencia in Education’s mission to accelerate Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement drives me to support the organization. To be able to work for an organization that is committed to education and student advancement as much as Excelencia , brings me great joy and satisfaction. I enjoy being part of this organization and contributing to its growth and achievements - which ultimately benefits students. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? At Excelencia we work in a mission driven and extensively collaborative environment with a focus on meaningful impact on higher education.

Luis Pedraja is President of Quinsigamond Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Quinsigamond Community College Luis Pedraja President Institution website: https://www.qcc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.qcc.edu/about-qcc/presidents-office Luis Pedraja is President of Quinsigamond Community College 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

Paul Jarrell is President of Tillamook Bay Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Tillamook Bay Community College Paul Jarrell President Institution website: https://www.tillamookbaycc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.tillamookbaycc.edu/new-president/ Paul Jarrell is President of Tillamook Bay Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Sarita E. Brown is Co-Founder and President of Excelencia in Education, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to accelerating Latino success in higher education by linking research, policy, and practice to serve Latino students. < Back to Our People Page Sarita E. Brown President Excelencia in Education Email: sbrown@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD BIO Sarita E. Brown is Co-founder & President of Excelencia in Education, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to accelerating Latino success in higher education by linking research, policy, and practice to serve Latino, and all, students. A recognized leader and advocate for equity in higher education, she began her career at the University of Texas at Austin, where she built a national model for increasing the number of students of color in graduate education and in the academy. Once in Washington, DC, Sarita served in leadership roles in higher education associations, at American University and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Institute. She was appointed as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans during the Clinton Administration. As Excelencia’s President, Sarita is responsible for the vision and governance of the organization, working with the Board of Directors to communicate with stakeholders and identify forward-thinking partners, funders and investors to support Excelencia’s mission. With over 30 years of experience catalyzing and supporting higher educational institutions and leaders to address equity, she applies her skills and energies to expanding Excelencia in Action (E-Action), Excelencia’s national network of college and university leaders who have committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive.

Risa Dickson is Interim President of the University of La Verne and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of La Verne Risa Dickson Interim President Institution website: https://laverne.edu/ Bio Page: https://laverne.edu/president/ Risa Dickson is Interim President of the University of La Verne and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Winston Erevelles is President of St. Mary's University of San Antonio and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page St. Mary's University of San Antonio Winston Erevelles President Institution website: https://www.stmarytx.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.stmarytx.edu/2024/stmu-president-erevelles/ Winston Erevelles is President of St. Mary's University of San Antonio and part of Excelencia in Action network.

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

Russell Lowery-Hart is Chancellor of Austin Community College District and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Austin Community College District Russell Lowery-Hart Chancellor Institution website: https://www.austincc.edu/ Bio Page: https://offices.austincc.edu/chancellor/biography/ R ussell Lowery-Hart is Chancellor of Austin Community College District and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Intentionally Thriving Institution: 2025-2028 Austin Community College District (ACC) is a public two-year college serving the Austin, Texas region. ACC is one of the largest HSIs in the country and serving the fastest-growing demographic in the Central Texas region, where education is a key lever for economic and social mobility.

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 Utah. Latino College Completion - Utah 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) 26% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 50% Of White adults Fast Facts Utah had the 23rd largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 18% K-12 Population 15% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 26% Latino Students 36% White Students Median Age 26 Latinos 33 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 42% Latino Students 59% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 10%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Utah. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 17%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Utah. 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 Utah, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Western Governors University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 107,952 12,955 12% 2 Salt Lake Community College Public, 2-year 18,373 4,218 23% 3 University of Utah Public, 4-year or above 24,850 3,554 14% 4 Utah Valley University Public, 4-year or above 27,489 3,429 12% 5 Brigham Young University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 31,642 2,353 7% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Utah, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Utah Valley University Public, 4-year or above 5,422 584 11% 2 Salt Lake Community College Public, 2-year 3,184 580 18% 3 Weber State University Public, 4-year or above 2,986 287 10% 4 Dixie State University Public, 4-year or above 779 95 12% 5 Ensign College Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 437 73 17% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Utah, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 Western Governors University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 26,612 2,338 9% 2 University of Utah Public, 4-year or above 5,027 641 13% 3 Brigham Young University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 6,685 441 7% 4 Utah Valley University Public, 4-year or above 3,975 393 10% 5 Weber State University Public, 4-year or above 2,641 258 10% 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.

While Latino enrollment decreased in 2020, we continue to see an increase in Latino college completion (LCC). This brief provides the most up-to-date overview of LCC. < Back Latino College Completion: 2019-2020 Excelencia in Education July 2022 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview While Latino enrollment decreased in 2020, we continue to see an increase in Latino college completion. This brief provides the most up-to-date overview of Latino college completion, including the top institutions where Latinos earn degrees, and progress towards the goal of Ensuring America’s Future through 6.2 million more Latino undergraduate degrees by 2030. Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2022). Latino College Completion: 2019-2020 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Latino College Enrollment: Past, Current, and Projections Latino student college enrollment had been growing at an accelerated pace for more than 20 years, but in 2020 dropped significantly despite previous projections of continued growth. In this fact sheet, we provide a summary of past, current, and projected Latino student enrollment. LEARN MORE Infographics to share Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Research suggests diversity on campus benefits all students. This brief provides a summary of Latino faculty and their representation in postsecondary education. < Back Latino Faculty in Postsecondary Education Morgan Taylor; Deborah A. Santiago June 2017 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Research suggests that diversity on campus—both student diversity and faculty diversity—benefits all students by providing diverse perspectives and expanding cultural competencies for all students and contributing to the persistence and degree attainment of students of color. Latino faculty and all faculty of color also serve as role models and mentors students of color and can help those students improve in their academic progress. While Latinos represented about 16 percent of all undergraduates, they only represented four percent of full-time faculty. This brief provides a summary of Latino faculty and their representation in postsecondary education. Looking to know what works or connect with evidence-based programs recognized by Excelencia ? Let’s talk. 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 . Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce