Phil Schubert is President of Abilene Christian University and part of Excelencia in Action network < Back to E-Action Main Page Abilene Christian University Phil Schubert President Institution website: https://acu.edu/ Bio Page: https://acu.edu/about/leadership/phil-schubert/ Phil Schubert is President of Abilene Christian University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

This brief examines Latino students' college choices, which are converting existing colleges and universities into Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). < Back Choosing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): A Closer Look at Latino Students' College Choices Deborah A. Santiago July 2007 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview This brief examines Latino students' college choices. While Latino students may not be aware of the HSI designation, they are in fact converting existing colleges and institutions into HSIs simply as a function of their own decisions - a trend that shows signs of continuing for several more years. To examine Latino students' college choices, we blended analysis of national enrollment patterns with data from focus groups conducted with Latino college students from different institutions across the country. The results show the impact of Latino students' emphasis on selecting colleges near their homes. This emphasis, coupled with the concentration of Latino housing patterns, leads to the concentrated enrollments of Latino students that form HSIs. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

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.

Lawrence Schovanec is President of Texas Tech University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Texas Tech University Lawrence Schovanec President Institution website: https://www.ttu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.ttu.edu/administration/president/about/ Lawrence Schovanec is President of Texas Tech University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

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.

Cynthia Teniente-Matson is the President for San José State University, and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Cynthia Teniente-Matson President San José State University Cynthia Teniente-Matson serves as President of San José State University, one of 48 institutions that has earned the Seal of Excelencia for striving to go beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. Teniente-Matson’s leadership at SJSU has been marked by strategic growth, national recognition, and facilities initiatives, repositioning the University as a premier public urban research institution. Prior to leading SJSU, she was president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio, where her tenure included developing research initiatives, cybersecurity programs, and economic development initiatives, and earning Seal of Excelencia certification. In 2020, she was awarded the prestigious Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership’s 2020 US-Japan Public Intellectual.

Jennifer Cowley is President of The University of Texas at Arlington and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page The University of Texas at Arlington Jennifer Cowley President Institution website: https://www.uta.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.uta.edu/administration/president/meet-the-president#:~:text=Jennifer%20Cowley%2C%20Ph.&text=Jennifer%20Cowley%20is%20the%20first,her%20career%20to%20public%20service Jennifer Cowley is President of The University of Texas at Arlington and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2025-2028 The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a Carnegie Research 1 and Hispanic-Serving Institution in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With 41,000 students, of which 34% are Latino, UTA recently awarded a record 11,526 degrees, making it the third-largest degree producer in Texas.

Excelencia's analysis provides a detailed profile of Latino students and the institutions where they choose to enroll to inform policy and mobilize action. < Back Latinos in Higher Education: 2024 Compilation of Fast Facts Excelencia in Education April 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excelencia in Education's latest analysis builds on previous compilations of fact sheets to provide a detailed profile on Latino students and the institutions where they choose to enroll to inform policy and mobilize action. For 20 years, Excelencia has led the way through innovative, collaborative, and actionable efforts to accelerate Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education throughout the United States. The fact sheets included in this compilation illustrate these efforts and inform Excelencia’s four policy priorities: affordability, institutional capacity, retention and transfer, and workforce preparation. Across this compilation, it is apparent that Latinos and the institutions where they choose to enroll face clear opportunities for action that benefits all students. Consider the following: Latinos … … are more likely to be the first in their family to attend college than any other racial group. … are more likely to receive the federal Pell Grant and are less likely to take out student loans to pay for college. … have the highest labor force participation rate compared to all other racial groups but are more likely to be represented in occupations with lower salaries. Institutions serving Latinos… … are predominantly Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), educating 63% of all Latinos in the nation while representing 20% of all postsecondary institutions. … are Seal of Excelencia certified institutions, graduating Latinos at a higher rate than institutions nationally. Table of Contents OVERVIEW OF LATINO STUDENTS This section provides an overview of the evolving profile of Latino students in higher education, including Latino males, Latinas, adult learners, and students in Puerto Rico. OVERVIEW OF INSTITUTIONS ENROLLING LATINO STUDENTS This section provides an overview of the institutions enrolling and SERVING Latino students amongst all, including institutions within Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network, Seal of Excelencia certified institutions, the top 25 institutions awarding credentials/degrees to Latino students (by award level) and primarily associate degree-granting baccalaureate (PAB) institutions. AFFORDABILITY This section outlines the pragmatic choices Latino students make to pay for their college education: by using grant aid like the Pell Grant or working while enrolled. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY This section describes the current landscape of HSIs and federal funding available with the purpose of building the capacity of HSIs to expand the educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Latino, and all, students. WORKFORCE This section provides an overview of Latinos in the workforce, including their representation across occupations and earnings. This section also provides an overview of Latinos’ representation in STEM, health, and education occupations. *Data on page 9 of this compilation were updated on May 30, 2024 *Data on page 22 of this compilation were updated on September 25, 2024 Suggested Citation: Santiago, D., Arroyo, C., & Cuellarsola, L. (April 2024). Latinos in Higher Education: 2024 Compilation of Fast Facts. Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Made possible with the support and public leadership of 24 Seal of Excelencia certified institutions: Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Carlos E. Santiago served as the Commissioner Emeritus, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Carlos E. Santiago Commissioner Emeritus Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE) Carlos E. Santiago served as the Massachusetts Commissioner of Higher Education from 2015-2022. He served as the State Higher Education Executive Officer (SHEEO) and was selected as the recipient of the 2021 SHEEO Exceptional Agency Award. He worked closely with the leadership of the three segments of public higher education: community colleges, State Universities, and the University of Massachusetts. Prior to his appointment, Santiago was the first Puerto Rican president of a major U.S. research university when he served as the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 2022 the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) honored him with the Alfredo de Los Santos Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award.

< Back to News Page College Affordability Solutions from Texas Students and Postsecondary Leaders Inform National Efforts to Serve Latino, and All, Students Jun 26, 2025 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE New Excelencia in Education Brief Highlights Recommendations Informed by Nine Trendsetting Institutions Ensuring Financial Access to Quality Education WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 26, 2025) – Excelencia in Education, the premier authority on accelerating Latino student success, while increasing all student success in higher education, released today a brief highlighting perspectives from stakeholders in three areas: 1) how Latino students in Texas make cost-conscious decisions to pay for college, 2) how trendsetting Texas institutions are making college more affordable, and 3) how state and federal policy can further improve college affordability. Drawing from interviews, the brief identifies affordability challenges and solutions from Texas college students, administrators, and leaders that inform national efforts to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students by ensuring financial access to a quality education. “Trendsetting institutions that commit to affordability and a strong return on investment for graduates, like those that have earned the Seal of Excelencia , exemplify how intentional leadership and support can deliver quality, affordable education for Latino, and all, students,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia . “In turn, understanding how college students and leaders propose addressing affordability can inform and compel action to meet basic needs, contain costs, and support student success.” The brief, “ College Affordability: Insights and Solutions from Texas Students and Postsecondary Leaders ,” presents detailed information on the affordability experiences of Latino students — the largest student group in Texas — as well as other post-traditional students. It also outlines recommendations from students, administrators, and leaders aligned with four areas shaping college affordability: Paying for College: Students are pragmatic and seek debt-free solutions such as grants, scholarships, and work-study over loans to pay for college, while administrators see loans as tools supporting persistence. Despite diverging perspectives, both emphasize the urgency of maximizing income-based aid. Students recommend institutions provide income-based scholarships and flexible payment plans. Administrators and leaders recommend policymakers cover tuition for students whose families earn less than $100,000 annually — double the current income threshold for which Texas covers tuition — and that federal policy expand Pell Grant support and adjust lifetime limits. Navigating Support Systems: Students report the most useful information comes not from centralized financial aid offices but academic departments, where they have personal relationships. They recommend institutions strengthen first-year support by enhancing advising structures. Administrators and leaders recommend policymakers make financial education a requirement for graduation. Addressing Basic Needs: Basic needs and non-tuition expenses, including housing, food, and transportation, pose significant barriers to college access and success. Students we interviewed often navigate these barriers independently, commuting long distances, relying on SNAP benefits, and sacrificing one need to afford another. They recommend institutions offer more affordable housing, dining, and parking options. Administrators and leaders recommend policymakers control the cost and availability of off-campus housing and improve transportation systems. Applying for Financial Aid: Texas continues to lead nationally in institutionalizing financial aid completion through its policy mandating Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submission as a condition for high school graduation. However, the recent simplification of the FAFSA introduced significant challenges. Students and administrators stress that timely, accessible, and equitable aid processes are essential for maintaining affordability and student trust in higher education. Excelencia engaged students, administrators, and leaders from nine institutions in Texas that have earned the Seal of Excelencia — a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latino students: Angelo State University St. Edward’s University Texas State University Texas Woman’s University The University of Texas at Arlington The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at El Paso The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley The University of Texas at San Antonio With this brief, Excelencia builds on over 20 years of effort to examine institutional policy and practice as well as federal and state policy to ensure college is affordable for Latino, and all, students. Earlier this year, the organization released “ How Latinos Pay for College: 2025 National Trends ,” a comprehensive analysis of how Latino students leverage financial aid and institutions ensure degrees are affordable. Access the full brief: EdExcelencia.org/research/publications/college-affordability-insights-and-solutions-from-texas-students-and-postsecondary-leaders 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

Laura Skandera Trombley is President of Southwestern University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Southwestern University Laura Skandera Trombley President Institution website: https://www.southwestern.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.southwestern.edu/about-southwestern/president-trombley/ Laura Skandera Trombley is President of Southwestern University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Jermaine Williams is President of Montgomery College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Montgomery College Jermaine Williams President Institution website: https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/index.html Bio Page: https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/about-mc/office-of-the-president/presidents-biography.html Jermaine Williams is President of Montgomery College and part of Excelencia in Action network.