With 20 years of experience listening to and learning from higher education leaders and practitioners, Excelencia continues to link research, policy, and practice with active collaborations through our network to increase the college-educated Latino talent that will strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. Marking Two Decades of Impact Excelencia in Education started shaping the national agenda to accelerate Latino student success in higher education 20 years ago with our first publication, “Latino Student Success at Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Findings from a Demonstration Project .” Since then, we have built upon and leveraged the insights from this project to support hundreds of colleges and universities to assess and progress their efforts to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. Today, with 20 years of experience listening to and learning from higher education leaders and practitioners, we continue to link research, policy, and practice with active collaborations through our network to increase the college-educated Latino talent that will strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. EXPLORE OUR TIMELINE Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary As a Latina-founded and -led organization, Excelencia in Education marked two decades of service to our mission with a 20th Anniversary Cena attended by partners from across the country — a special evening of celebration and shared commitment to accelerating Latino student success. Leaders in higher education, business, philanthropy, and government joined Excelencia co-founders, Board members, and staff for this celebratory cena in the nation’s capital. We celebrated what we’ve accomplished together and renewed our commitment to accelerate Latino student success in higher education going forward. Experience the celebration in photos below. Continuing Our Common Cause Excelencia recognizes our funders and contributors who believed in our mission and vision during our first 20 years and share in the success of our impact. Focused on even greater impact, we have launched the Excelencia Futuro Fund, a concerted campaign to raise $1 million to advance the Seal of Excelencia and efforts to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. Join us in shaping the future by investing in our work. Together, we will continue to accelerate Latino student success and ensure America’s bright future. CONTRIBUTE NOW

Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network is a diverse group of college and university presidents and chancellors who have committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latino students thrive. They are part of the Excelencia network and collaborate with Excelencia in Education to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts at the national level. Excelencia in Action The Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network is a diverse group of college and university presidents and chancellors as well as program leaders across the country committed to joining a community of common cause and transforming their campuses to become learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. They are part of the Excelencia network and collaborate with Excelencia in Education to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts at the national level. For enrollment and other questions, please email E-Action@EdExcelencia.org . The E-Action network represents only 6% of colleges and universities, but it enrolls 34% and graduates 36% of Latino students nationwide. LEARN MORE Filter by State Select State Filter by Part of a System Select Part of a System 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 ... 1000

Excelencia in Education certified these colleges and universities for intentionally SERVING Latino students and for demonstrating positive student outcomes. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institutions Excelencia in Education certified these colleges and universities for intentionally SERVING Latino students and for demonstrating positive student outcomes. Learn more about what the Seal of Excelencia is and why it matters. See what institutional leaders say about earning the Seal of Excelencia certification.

With the belief that good policy is informed by good practice, Excelencia brings national attention to programs that are exemplary in the way they intentionally and effectively serve Latino students. Annual Examples of Excelencia Evidence-Based Programs That Are Intentional In SERVING Latino, And All, Students: With the belief that good policy is informed by good practice, Excelencia brings national attention to programs that exemplify an intentional commitment to advancing Latino and other post-traditional students in higher education. These programs demonstrate evidence-based practices that can inform and guide student-centered efforts. Learn more about each of the Examples of Excelencia . 2025 Examples of Excelencia : The 2025 Examples of Excelencia are building faculty pipelines, providing holistic supports that help students earn degrees and credentials, connecting classroom learning to in-demand jobs, and offering research and mentorship experiences that foster persistence, completion, and career success. Together, these programs demonstrate the power of intentional design in facilitating access to excellence for all students. ASSOCIATE LEVEL: General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (GM ASEP) Institution/Organization: Cerritos College State: California Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Mentoring Program Profile: Download BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: ÁNDALE Latino Research Training Program Institution/Organization: California State University, Long Beach State: California Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Undergraduate Research Program Profile: Download GRADUATE LEVEL: Crossing Latinidades Humanities Research Initiative Institution/Organization: University of Illinois Chicago State: Illinois Issue Area: Retention Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Other, Doctoral Training and Professionalization Program Profile: Download CBO LEVEL: Avanza RGV: Accelerating Latino Prosperity through Education & Career Pathways Institution/Organization: Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) State: Texas Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Adult Learners Program Profile: Download 2024 Examples of Excelencia : The 2024 Examples of Excelencia were selected from a group of 18 finalists that were gathered from 103 program profile submissions representing 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Download Icon Download a copy and read the 2024 edition of What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education for more information about each program’s evidence-based practices and their impact. ASSOCIATE LEVEL: English for Academic Purposes Institution/Organization: Reading Area Community College State: Pennsylvania Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Bilingual/ESL BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Institution/Organization: Washington State University State: Washington Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: First-Year Support GRADUATE LEVEL: Project upGRADS Institution/Organization: California State University, Fullerton State: California Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: First-Year Support, Mentoring CBO LEVEL: Career Pathways: Empowering Students to Succeed Institution/Organization: The Immokalee Foundation, Inc. State: Florida Issue Area: Access Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Scholarship WEBINAR RECORDING Elevating What Works for Latino Students: A Conversation with Practitioners Leading Successful Programs During this webinar, representatives from the 2024 Examples of Excelencia shared their programs' evidence-based practices to improve higher education outcomes. They also discussed how they measure their programs’ impact and offered insights into implementation efforts for other institutions and communities to consider. 2023 Examples of Excelencia : The 2023 Examples of Excelencia were selected from a group of 19 finalists that were gathered from 103 program profile submissions that represented 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Download Icon Download and read a copy of the 2023 edition of What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education for more information about each program’s evidence-based practices and their impact. ASSOCIATE LEVEL: Engineering Program at Wright Institution/Organization: City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College State: Illinois Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Transfer BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: Spanish Community Translation and Interpreting Program Institution/Organization: The University of Texas at Arlington State: Texas Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Discipline/Subject GRADUATE LEVEL: Graduate Equity Fellowship Program Institution/Organization: California State University, Chico State: California Issue Area: Retention Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Mentoring CBO LEVEL: College and Career Success Institution/Organization: Breakthrough Central Texas State: Texas Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: First-Year Support, Mentoring

These programs positively impact their Latino students and local communities by incorporating intentional and culturally relevant evidence-based practices. Examples of Excelencia Finalists 2025 This year, Excelencia in Education recognized 12 programs that demonstrate intentionality and impact in improving Latino, and all, student success in higher education. The finalists for the 2025 Examples of Excelencia are increasing access to a quality college education through evidence-based practices such as bridge programs, academic advising and counseling, family engagement through bilingual outreach, and targeted mentoring and coaching designed to help students graduate workforce-ready. Since 2005, Excelencia has reviewed over 2,500 program submissions, recognized over 400 for their proven impact, and raised and awarded more than $2 million to programs making a positive difference for students across the nation. Looking to connect with these programs or other evidence-based programs recognized by Excelencia ? Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll provide you with a curated list of programs making an impact on student success based on the state, academic level, or issue area of your interest. Contact us .

Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS) is a national network of postsecondary leaders committed to Ensuring America’s Future by making our country stronger with the talents, skills, and contributions of Latino college graduates. 2025 Excelencia in Action Profile Higher education leaders with skills and vision are fundamental to our country’s strong recovery. Those prepared to engage and intentionally serve Latino students, while serving all their students, will lead the way. – Sarita Brown, Co-Founder and President of Excelencia in Education Excelencia in Action (E-Action) is a network of more than 208 postsecondary leaders from 28 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico committed to a collective goal with Excelencia in Education of Ensuring America’s Future by making our country stronger with the talents, skills, and contributions of Latino, and all, college graduates. DOWNLOAD PROFILE Which Institutions Are in the E-Action Network? The E-Action network represents a coalition of colleges and universities across the country that are transforming to become places where Latino, and all, students thrive. Currently, most institutions in the network are: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). About 77% are HSIs, 12% are Emerging HSIs (eHSIs), 11% are neither. Public institutions. Over 84% are public institutions, and the others (16%) are private 4-year institutions. In the South and West regions. Almost three-quarters are in the South (28%) and West (42%). Working to be Seal of Excelencia certified. 48 are nationally certified for intentionally serving Latinos (Sep 2025). What Distinguishes the E-Action Network From Other Institutions? Institutions in the E-Action network are focused on advancing success for Latino and other low-income and first-generation students. Comparing the E-Action network to all institutions: Retention rates are higher. Latino faculty representation is about twice as high. Students are more likely to receive Pell Grants and less likely to receive federal student loans or total grant aid. How Does the E-Action Network Accelerate Latino Student Success? Colleges and universities in the E-Action network lead the nation in enrolling and graduating Latino students: Three of the top five institutions enrolling Latinos nationally are E-Action network affiliates. Three of the top five institutions awarding associate degrees and all of the top five institutions awarding baccalaureate degrees to Latinos nationally are E-Action network affiliates. All of the top five institutions awarding baccalaureate degrees to Latinos have also earned the Seal of Excelencia . How Do Seal of Excelencia -certified Institutions Intentionally Serve Latino, and All, Students? The Seal of Excelencia is a national certification for colleges and universities demonstrating positive momentum and intentionality in SERVING Latino students. The certification is valid for three years. As of September 2025, 48 institutions have earned the Seal of Excelencia . Of these, eight institutions from the 2019 inaugural cohort have been recertified twice and are now Intentionally Thriving Institutions demonstrating intentionality and impact for their students beyond completion by preparing and connecting them to the workforce. The Seal-certified institutions are located in 11 states. Three states enroll 1 in 3 Latino undergraduates, three states enroll 1 in 4, and a significant concentration are in the other five states. Among Seal-certified institutions: Undergraduates have higher retention rates than students at all institutions. Undergraduates are more likely to receive Pell Grants and less likely to receive federal student loans. Latino faculty representation is over two times higher than at all institutions. Latinos’ degree outcomes are better than those at all institutions. How Do Institutions in the E-Action Network Benefit from Partnering with Excelencia ? Once institutions join the E-Action network, they have prioritized access to a range of opportunities and tools that equip them to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students on their campuses while serving all: Capacity Building Institutes. Excelencia gives priority for participation in our Capacity Building Institutes to institutions in the E-Action network. The Institutes meet institutions where they are on their transformation journey to support and reinforce capacity to intentionally serve. Research Opportunities. The commitment to Latino student success made by institutions in the network extends to their participation in Excelencia’s research, which informs higher education policy, promotes evidence-based practices, and compels action that accelerates Latino, and all, student success. Policy Forums. Excelencia engages institutional leaders in the E-Action network in frank discussions about the issues impacting Latino students, empowering them to set the national agenda for Latino, and all, student success in higher education. Promotion on a National Stage. Excelencia celebrates Latino students and graduates from institutions in the E-Action network year round, and we promote the colleges and universities whose intentionality supported these students to progress their journeys. To join the E-Action network, please contact: E-Action@EdExcelencia.org .

Excelencia established the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment to better SERVE Latino students. Seal of Excelencia Why does the Seal of Excelencia matter? Excelencia in Education’s mission is to accelerate Latino student success, while increasing all student success, to close postsecondary attainment gaps and advance our families, communities, and nation. We are committed to significantly increasing the number of students attaining college degrees by 2030 in partnership with institutions. As part of this commitment, Excelencia in Education established the Seal of Excelencia , a rigorous, data-driven certification framework that requires colleges and universities to show intentionality and measurable results for student success. Institutions earn this standard of excellence through an intentional alignment of data, evidence-based practices, and leadership, all resulting in students’ educational and economic success. Interested in Seal of Excelencia Certification? Explore this portal to access Seal application information and resources. What support is available to my institution? Support to strengthen institutional capacity to SERVE Latino, and all, students is available through our technical assistance opportunities . What is the Excelencia in Action network? Learn more about Excelencia's network of leaders committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. What is the Seal of Excelencia Framework? To support and reinforce institutional capacity to intentionally serve, Excelencia developed a framework that integrates essential components of transformation into a comprehensive institutional strategy for SERVING students. This framework represents learning from over 20 years of working with higher education institutions. LEARN MORE Seal of Excelencia Certified Institutions In 2025, five institutions earned the Seal of Excelencia , five earned recertification, and eight were recognized with the new Intentionally Thriving Institution certification, recognizing their continuing journey to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students, and emphasizing their impact in preparing students for and connecting them to the workforce. These 18 institutions belong to a community of 48 trendsetting colleges and universities that have earned the Seal by demonstrating intentionality and impact in serving Latino, and all, students through data, practice, and leadership. LEARN MORE Leaders Create Change Hear what institutional leaders are saying about earning the Seal of Excelencia certification. LEARN MORE

Cultivating Confianza: Excelencia in Education’s Trust-Based Approach to Latino Student Success lays out our roadmap for how we can work together to intentionally SERVE Latino students, while serving all, at this crucial time. Cultivating Confianza: Excelencia in Education’s Trust-Based Approach to Latino Student Success Released: September 2021 Excelencia in Education has served as a reputable research organization and noted change agent in higher education. With a steadfast commitment to accelerating Latino student success, Excelencia works with institutions and education leaders to take a holistic, intentional approach to serving Latino students. In that time, Excelencia has cultivated a national reputation for not only identifying and lifting up what works, but for doing so with a unique, trust-based approach that ensures change is transformative and sustainable. Cultivating Confianza: Excelencia in Education’s Trust-Based Approach to Latino Student Success tells the story of how Excelencia does this work - and how the next chapter of the organization will leverage these learnings to increase support for Latino students and those who serve them. Part storytelling, part roadmap, and a call-to-action, Cultivating Confianza provides a unique look at how a successful organization operates, learns, and grows with humility and service to students and their institutions. There is a clear and necessary role for all of us to play in supporting Latino students over the next decade. Cultivating Confianza outlines how Excelencia will continue carrying out its dynamic leadership role in this endeavor. DOWNLOAD

Privacy Policy This privacy notice discloses the privacy practices for www.EdExcelencia.org . This privacy notice applies solely to information collected by this website. It will notify you of the following: What personally identifiable information is collected from you through the website, how it is used and with whom it may be shared. What choices are available to you regarding the use of your data. The security procedures in place to protect the misuse of your information. How you can correct any inaccuracies in the information. Information Collection, Use, and Sharing We are the sole owners of the information collected on this site. We only have access to/collect information that you voluntarily give us via email or other direct contact from you. We will not sell or rent this information to anyone. We will use your information to respond to you, regarding the reason you contacted us. We will not share your information with any third party outside of our organization, other than as necessary to fulfill your request, e.g. follow up for an event you have registered for. Unless you ask us not to, we may contact you via email in the future to tell you about specials, new products or services, or changes to this privacy policy. Your Access to and Control Over Information You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. You can do the following at any time by contacting us via the email address or phone number given on our website: See what data we have about you, if any. Change/correct any data we have about you. Have us delete any data we have about you. Express any concern you have about our use of your data. Security We take precautions to protect your information. When you submit sensitive information via the website, your information is protected both online and offline. Wherever we collect sensitive information (such as credit card data), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. You can verify this by looking for a lock icon in the address bar and looking for "https" at the beginning of the address of the Web page. While we use encryption to protect sensitive information transmitted online, we also protect your information offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, billing or customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The computers/servers in which we store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment. Cookies We use "cookies" on this site. A cookie is a piece of data stored on a site visitor's hard drive to help us improve your access to our site and identify repeat visitors to our site. For instance, when we use a cookie to identify you, you would not have to log in a password more than once, thereby saving time while on our site. Cookies can also enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our site. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information on our site. Links This website contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of any other site that collects personally identifiable information. If you feel that we are not abiding by this privacy policy, you should contact us immediately via telephone at 202-785-7350 or via email at Contact@EdExcelencia.org

Excelencia in Education began as a Latina-led organization with Co-founders Sarita Brown and Deborah Santiago. In 2004, they launched Excelencia with the belief that it is both crucial and possible for the U.S. to accelerate Latino student success in higher education through an intentional, strategic effort. Our Story Excelencia’s History and Evolution Excelencia in Education began as a Latina-led organization with Co-founders Sarita Brown and Deborah Santiago. In 2004, they launched Excelencia with the belief that it is both crucial and possible for the U.S. to accelerate Latino student success in higher education through an intentional, strategic effort. Since our founding, Excelencia has grown in size and influence, as well as leveraged our role as a national leader, trusted source of information, and advocate for evidence-based practices to support Latino students’ achievement. We continue to create opportunities to examine critical issues in postsecondary education from new perspectives and reconsider traditional efforts in a post-traditional context to the benefit of all students. Our story is one of commitment, persistence, credibility, and collaborative action for positive results on behalf of Latino, and all, students to ensure America’s future. 20 Years of Serving Our Mission In 2024, Excelencia marked 20 years of service to our mission — accelerating Latino student success in higher education. See how we have shaped the national agenda for Latinos in college over the last two decades. LEARN MORE Excelencia’s Tree of Life Created by national award-winning artist Verónica Castillo Salas, Excelencia’s Tree of Life symbolizes how the commitment of our co-founders seeded the growth of a national organization that cultivates Latino student success. EXPERIENCE OUR HISTORY

Stay informed with the latest from Excelencia as we continue to apply a Latino lens to critical issues in higher education. NEWS Latest News Excelencia in Education analysis, efforts, and experts are featured in hundreds of media outlets every year, from NBC News, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Stay informed with the latest from Excelencia as we continue to apply a Latino lens to critical issues in higher education. Media Inquiries To cover Excelencia analysis and efforts, or to get in touch with one of our experts for an interview, please contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 ... 1000 Communications Resources Referring to Excelencia in Education Excelencia in Education’s name is intentionally bilingual, reflecting our commitment to Latino students, quality education, and the asset base available to the U.S. by supporting Latinos’ excellence in education. Please italicize “Excelencia ” in all references to the organization and relevant efforts (e.g., “Seal of Excelencia ”). Our Logo We trademarked Excelencia’s logo in 2024. Please access high-resolution versions of Excelencia’s logo by contacting: Media@EdExcelencia.org Our Boilerplate 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 Our Social Media Excelencia is active on the following social media platforms: LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/company/excelencia-in-education Facebook: Facebook.com/EdExcelencia Instagram: @excelencia_in_education Medium: ExcelenciainEducation.medium.com YouTube: ExcelenciaEducation X: @EdExcelencia Hashtags to follow: #LatinoStudentSuccess #Presidents4Latinos #ExcelenciaSeal #GrowingExamples #HigherEd

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.