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 Business and Education Trailblazers Chosen to Lead Board of National Nonprofit Accelerating Latino Student Success While Increasing All 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, while increasing all 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, and all, students’ higher education achievement through a portfolio linking leadership, data, and evidence-based practices. The organization’s national Excelencia in Action (E-Action) 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 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 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

This compilation has fact sheets covering Excelencia's policy priorities: affordability, institutional capacity, retention and transfer, and workforce preparation. < Back Latinos in Higher Education: Compilation of Fast Facts Excelencia in Education April 2019 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education to address the U.S. economy’s need for a highly educated workforce for civic leadership. Policy must keep up with our country’s changing demographics to serve students. This compilation includes fact sheets covering Excelencia's four policy priorities: affordability, institutional capacity, retention and transfer, and workforce preparation. In addition, the compilation covers the following topics: adult learners, enrollment and completion of Latinos in Puerto Rico, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and the top 25 institutions awarding degrees to Latinos at every degree level. Table of Contents: OVERVIEW Profile of Latino College Students Latino Males in Higher Education Latino Adult Learners in Higher Education Higher Education in Puerto Rico AFFORDABILITY How Latinos Pay for College Latinos and Student Loans Latinos and Pell Grants INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2017-2018 Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) 101: Building Capacity RETENTION, TRANSFER, and COMPLETION Latino Pathways to College Completion Latino College Enrollment and Completion: Top States Top 25 Institutions Awarding Credentials/Degrees to Latinos: Certificates Associate Baccalaureate Master's Doctorate First Professional Latinos and College Completion: Degrees Awarded 2016-2017 Latino Degree Attainment: 5 Year Overview WORKFORCE Latino Student Success and the Workforce Life Outcomes After Graduation: A Focus on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Infographics to share Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Lisa Freeman is President of Northern Illinois University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Northern Illinois University Lisa Freeman President Institution website: https://www.niu.edu/index.shtml Bio Page: https://www.niu.edu/president/about/index.shtml Lisa Freeman is President of Northern Illinois University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Jeanette M. Nuñez is President of Florida International University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Florida International University Jeanette M. Nuñez President Institution website: https://www.fiu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.fiu.edu/ Jeanette M. Nuñez is President of Florida International University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Intentionally Thriving Institution: 2025-2028 FIU, an urban, multi-campus public university in South Florida, serves nearly 40,000 students, of which 68% are Latino. A Carnegie Research 1 and nationally leading Hispanic-Serving Institution, FIU uses data, practice, and leadership for strategic decision-making and resource allocation.

Excelencia in Education is committed to accelerating Latino college completion while increasing for all. Our analysis shows persistent gaps between Latino and White students in North Carolina, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - North Carolina Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. To make our country stronger and meet the economy’s demand for a highly educated workforce, we must ensure access to quality higher education for Latino, and all, students. This requires accelerating Latino degree completion, increasing completion for all students, and scaling programs and initiatives proven to support Latino, and all, student success. The following demographics, institutional data, and practices inform Latino degree attainment. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2026) 26% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 51% Of White adults Fast Facts North Carolina had the 9th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 18% K-12 Population 11% Total Population Enrollment 17% Latino Students 22% White Students Median Age 26 Latinos 44 White Median Income $33,694 Without a college degree $60,706 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 3%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in North Carolina. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 7%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in North Carolina. Top Institutions Enrolling and Graduating Hispanic Undergraduates, 2026 Rank Institution Name Sector Total Enrollment Hispanic Enrollment % Hispanic Enrollment Total Completions Hispanic Completions % Hispanic Completions 1 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Public, 4-year or above 23,567 3,472 15% 5,534 690 12% 2 Wake Technical Community College Public, 2-year 18,605 3,382 18% 2,758 410 15% 3 Central Piedmont Community College Public, 2-year 13,640 2,684 20% 2,262 355 16% 4 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Public, 4-year or above 13,848 2,300 17% 3,316 447 13% 5 North Carolina State University at Raleigh Public, 4-year or above 26,389 2,247 9% 6,486 459 7% BACK TO MAIN LCC PAGE 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 U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Excelencia in Education analysis using U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2023 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey, and Institutional Characteristics Survey.

Jessica Leach serves as Grants Manager of Excelencia in Education. Jessica works closely with the Finance and Executive teams to support the administration of grants and contracts. < Back to Our People Page Jessica Leach Grants Manager Excelencia in Education Email: jleach@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As the Grants Manager, Jessica works closely with the Finance and Executive teams to support the administration of grants and contracts. She is responsible for tracking project progress, timely and accurate grant reporting, and supporting development efforts. Past Experiences: Jessica has over a decade of experience working at various universities in the United States and Canada in administrative, teaching, and graduate student positions. Before Excelencia , she managed a grants team that administered language preservation grants and contracts for Tribes and First Nations across the United States and Canada. Jessica has a Ph.D. in History from Indiana University Bloomington. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? I thrive working with teams of highly motivated and talented individuals, like our team at Excelencia . This position allows me to collaborate closely with leadership and the entire team, which I find motivating and rewarding. My previous work in admissions, standardized testing, and teaching really showed the inequities in higher education, and it is extremely important to me to help make higher education more accessible for all. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia immerses me in a fast-paced and collaborative environment with passionate coworkers. It is refreshing to work for an organization that cares deeply about its mission and its employees. We are offered many opportunities for professional and personal growth, which helps employees better support Excelencia’s mission.

Pradeep K. Khosla is Chancellor of the University of California-San Diego and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of California-San Diego Pradeep K. Khosla Chancellor Institution website: https://www.ucsd.edu/ Bio Page: https://chancellor.ucsd.edu/about/about-the-chancellor/index.html Pradeep K. Khosla is Chancellor of the University of California-San Diego and part of Excelencia in Action network.

This brief highlights the strategic practices of six Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) that have participated in federal HSI STEM and Title V grant programs. < Back Beyond an HSI Designation: Exploring Strategic Practices for HSI Grant Participation Excelencia in Education March 2023 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Since 1995, the federal government has allocated funds to Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to help build their institutional capacity to better serve their Latino students amongst all. However, these federal grant programs have become increasingly competitive. As a result, HSIs must strategically adapt their practices to plan effectively for grant competitions and utilize funds in a sustainable manner that supplements existing institutional practices that facilitate Latino, and all, student success. Excelencia in Education engaged six HSIs that had received federal funding in the last six years (2017-2022) in a series of interviews to learn more about their strategic practices in HSI STEM and Title V grant participation: California State University-Long Beach California State University-Sacramento University of New Mexico-Taos Texas A&M University-Kingsville Dominican University Hartnell College Findings From the interviews with these institutions, Excelencia identified key strategies that demonstrate these HSIs’ adaptive practices for HSI STEM and Title V grant participation and their institutional commitment to their Latino students amongst all: Creating the capacity to apply for HSI grants. Leadership at these six institutions described their strategies for applying for federal funding despite a limited or nonexistent central office or personnel dedicated to HSI initiatives. Their efforts for preparing for grant competitions included (1) holding internal mini-grant competitions, (2) contracting with external grant writers, or (3) bringing in cross-campus support to prepare their grant applications. Implementing and sustaining grant-funded programs. HSI grants are one of many tools that can be leveraged to develop an institution’s capacity to better serve their students. HSI grants are designed to supplement rather than supplant current institutional efforts, which means that institutions must utilize this funding in combination with existing resources. To gain buy-in from the necessary programs or offices, these institutions integrated key stakeholders into the grant application and implementation process. Institutions also slowly transitioned grant funded costs into the budget of campus programs and offices to ensure that the programs and positions could be sustained at the end of the grant period. Conceptualizing and advancing an organizational commitment to serving Latino students. Leadership across all six HSIs described how their institution is conceptualizing what it means to be an HSI, where they currently are with their work, and what they need to do to better serve their Latino students amongst all. These HSIs are: (1) utilizing evidence-based practices from external HSI organizations to identify their next steps to advance their institutional capacity to serve, (2) leveraging HSI funding to improve their capacity to implement and sustain student-centered efforts and outcomes, and (3) creating a cross-campus network of offices and departments committed to developing practices that intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. Suggested Citation: Arroyo, C. & Santiago, D. (March 2023). Beyond an HSI Designation: Exploring Strategic Practices for HSI Grant Participation . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Read our report on the impact of 20 years of federal funding on student success and the development of HSIs in From Capacity to Success: HSIs, Title V, and Latino Students. Read our Medium posts on the potential of a guaranteed federal grant programs for HSIs to build their capacity for applying to competitive federal grant programs. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

As Latinos drive economic growth, higher education plays a key role in post-completion success. Explore strategies from leading HSIs that ensure workforce success beyond graduation. < Back Informing and Compelling Action: Advancing Post-Completion Success for Latino Students Fact Sheet Excelencia in Education January 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Why Post-Completion Success Matter s As the Latino population grows, their educational and career success is tied to the nation’s economic prosperity. Despite current discourse that calls to question the value of higher education, research continues to show that a college degree increases lifetime earnings, job stability, and long-term well-being. For Latino students, degrees can transform life trajectories—not only for individuals but for entire families. Strengthening pathways from college to career for Latino, and all, students is key to our country, future workforce, and advancing economic mobility. In this fact sheet, we provide a summary of key trends on Latinos in the workforce and three post-completion success strategies. Key Trends Latino College Enrollment & Completion: Enrollment grew from 49% to 58% and completion grew from 23% to 41% (2000–2022) Projected Growth: Latino college enrollment projected to rise 21% by 2030, reaching 4.5 million students Latinos’ Labor Force Participation: Highest among racial/ethnic groups (66%) and projected to account for 91% of new workers by 2031 Opportunity Gaps: Latinos are overrepresented in low-wage jobs and underrepresented in management and professional occupations. In 2023, only 26% of Latinos held management or professional jobs, compared to 59% of Asians, 44% of Whites, and 36% of African Americans. Strategies for Post-Completion Success Latinos are driving the nation’s economic growth, and higher education has the responsibility to ensure that all students thrive and succeed beyond degree completion. Excelencia’s fact sheet highlights three key post-completion strategies that institutions can implement to advance Latino, and all, students’ success beyond graduation: Preparing Students for Workforce Success by Embedding Career Development into Academics Linking Students to Workforce Opportunities Through Partnerships and Experiential Learning Measuring and Tracking Outcomes to Drive Data-Informed Workforce Preparation Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2026). Informing and Compelling Action: Advancing Post-Completion Success for Latino Students Fact Sheet. Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

As the Latino population grows, their college and career success is critical to U.S. economic prosperity. This brief highlights three post-completion strategies from leading HSIs to strengthen students’ pathways from college-to-career and advance economic mobility. < Back Post-Completion Success: How Leading HSIs Are Transforming Career Readiness Alexia Carrillo Villalobos, Emily Labandera, Deborah A. Santiago January 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Higher education is a key determinant of upward economic and social mobility–the ability for students to access higher-paying jobs, increase lifetime earnings, and maximize the return on their educational journey. Yet significant gaps remain in ensuring access to quality education and career pathways for all. Latino students are one of the fastest-growing groups of college-goers and the future of our workforce. To support their success, we must be intentional about connecting them to the opportunities they need to reach their full potential and thrive. Given the significant role Latinos play in the workforce, addressing educational disparities requires intentional action within higher education. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are essential in strengthening academic quality, expanding access, and building institutional capacity to close attainment gaps. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and data-driven practices, HSIs–like those highlighted in this brief are going beyond preparing their students for graduation to long-term career success. By aligning academic pathways with workforce demands and fostering an inclusive learning environment for all students, HSIs are transforming higher education’s role in driving economic mobility and workforce development. Findings Excelencia in Education’s latest brief highlights the evidence-based practices of seven HSIs that have demonstrated strong commitment to workforce preparation, career readiness, and fostering environments where Latino, and all, students can thrive. Excelencia in Education identified three key post-completion strategies informed by what we’ve learned from engaging with institutions and leaders in our network . These strategies include: Preparing Students for Workforce Success by Embedding Career Development into Academics Linking Students to Workforce Opportunities Through Partnerships and Experiential Learning Measuring and Tracking Outcomes to Drive Data-Informed Workforce Preparation Additional Documents: Fact Sheet Suggested Citation: Carrillo Villalobos, A., Labandera, E., & Santiago, D. (January 2026). Post-Completion Success: How Leading HSIs Are Transforming Career Readiness . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Richard Carvajal is President of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt Richard Carvajal President Institution website: https://www.humboldt.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.humboldt.edu/president Richard Carvajal is President of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2025-2028 California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt is the northernmost California State University institution. Humboldt fosters an inclusive, equitable community and intentionally serving the 28% of students that identify as Latino students, creating conditions of success for the more than 6,000 students enrolled.