Deborah A. Santiago is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Excelencia in Education, America's premier authority on efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education. < Back to Our People Page Deborah A. Santiago Chief Executive Officer Excelencia in Education Email: dsantiago@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD BIO Deborah A. Santiago is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Excelencia in Education, America's premier authority on efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education. As an innovator, thought leader, and educational visionary, she has led research and advanced evidence-based practices and strategies for more than 20 years. She has held leadership positions with education organizations around the country, including the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans and the Los Angeles Alliance for Student Achievement. She co-founded Excelencia in Education in 2004 to inform policy, compel action, and collaborate with those ready to accelerate student success with an unapologetic Latino lens. Among her many contributions, Deborah has addressed federal legislative issues in higher education at the Congressional Research Service and informed program and policy implementation at the U.S. Department of Education. She also improved awareness and education opportunities for Latinos with federal agencies as the Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. Among Deborah’s community efforts, she has provided program design and implementation for dropout prevention and parental engagement for the ASPIRA Association and translated data for community engagement at the Los Angeles Alliance for Student Achievement. As CEO, Deborah leads Excelencia’s programming and engagement efforts, including expanding and leveraging community-informed research in improving educational opportunities for students, working directly with education leaders, and informing campus practices as well as state and federal policies. Driven by a deep desire to advance asset based, student-centered understanding of the needs and opportunities for the Latino community, Deborah is a sought-after speaker about Hispanic Serving Institutions, college affordability, and equity in higher education. Her work has been cited in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Economist, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. She serves on the Advisory Board of TheDream.US . and the technical panel for the Carnegie Classification led by the American Council on Education.

Havidán Rodríguez is President of the University at Albany and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University at Albany Havidán Rodríguez President Institution website: https://www.albany.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.albany.edu/about/administration/havidan-rodriguez Havidán Rodríguez is President of the University at Albany and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2025-2028 The University at Albany (UAlbany) fosters an inclusive environment for its diverse student body of more than 12,600, including 20% Latino students, that supports the personal and academic success for all students.

This brief serves as a primer on conditions and history of the invention of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and how they contribute to Latino student success. < Back Inventing Hispanic-Serving Institutions: The Basics Deborah A. Santiago February 2006 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are important institutions for Latinos, yet little research exists on them. This brief serves as a primer on the conditions and history behind their invention, the processes for identification, and the general institutional characteristics of HSIs. It also offers an overview of how these institutions are contributing to Latino student success. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This brief highlights resilience efforts at 5 Puerto Rican Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) amid economic disruptions, demographic shifts, and natural disasters. < Back Institutional Resilience in Puerto Rico: A First Look at Efforts by Puerto Rican HSIs Excelencia in Education February 2023 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Over the last five years, Puerto Rico has faced fiscal and economic disruptions, demographic shifts, hurricanes and earthquakes, governance challenges, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While most of these conditions are not new to Puerto Rico, the intersection of all these challenges created a nexus for institutional resilience and efforts. This brief is the second phase of a multi-tiered project–the first of which was an environmental scan of conditions and context of the population, K-12 educational pipeline, higher education, and workforce in Puerto Rico that Excelencia published in 2021. While this brief is not meant to be exhaustive of the experiences of institutions and students in Puerto Rico, it is indicative in a broader sense of institutional resilience and transformation to meet their mission and goals to serve their communities with a quality education. Excelencia in Education engaged five Puerto Rican HSIs in a series of interviews to learn more about their efforts in resilience in the last five years: Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo Universidad Ana G. Méndez-Gurabo University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras University of Puerto Rico-Utuado Findings These five HSIs are adapting to compounding challenges in their current context. From the interviews with these institutions, Excelencia identified key efforts that demonstrate these institutions’ resilience: Sustaining institutional management. Leadership at these five institutions described the restructuring strategies they implemented to sustain their institution. Some of these strategies included making staffing changes, consolidating their student services and academic programs, streamlining degree requirements, and seeking external funding. Managing enrollment plans and expectations. To address enrollment challenges, these HSIs have enhanced and adapted their recruitment strategies to more intentionally recruit students to their institution. These strategies included expanding program offerings to students in the mainland, holding Open Houses, placing emphasis on robust academic programs, and utilizing new outreach mediums such as social media to reach more students. Supporting students by meeting their basic needs and providing wraparound services. To retain their students, these institutions aimed at holistically serving their students by meeting students' basic needs. Institutions provided access to meals, additional financial support, mental health services and counseling, and intentional outreach throughout their students’ trajectory. Preparing students for graduation and post-completion. Institutional leadership at these institutions emphasized the importance of connecting their graduating students to Puerto Rico’s workforce through dedicated career development opportunities for students, internship experiences, job fairs, and opportunities for research experience and continuing on their education at the graduate level. This publication was developed with the generous support of the Ascendium Education Group. Special thanks to Margarita Benítez, Senior Associate, and Hilda Colón Plumey, Professional Educational Consultant who were integral parts of this analysis and led the interviews with institutional leaders and administrators. Suggested Citation: Santiago, D., Labandera, E., Arroyo, C. (February 2023). Institutional Resilience in Puerto Rico: A First Look at Efforts by Puerto Rican HSIs. Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more about Latino College Completion in Puerto Rico Read our an environmental scan of colleges and universities in Puerto Rico in Higher Education in Puerto Rico: Conditions and Context Influencing Institutional Resilience WEBINAR: Institutional Resilience in Puerto Rico: A First Look at Efforts by Puerto Rican HSIs Given the changing conditions and context of higher education in the U.S. in recent years, HSIs have had to adapt and sustain to continue to enroll, retain, and graduate their Latino, and all, students. In particular, Puerto Rico has faced fiscal and economic disruptions, demographic shifts, natural phenomena, governance challenges, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Hear from Institutional leaders from HSIs in Puerto Rico and the mainland as they share their perspectives and leadership efforts of how they intentionally serve their Latino students even during challenging times. Infographics to share Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

** is President of Weber State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.  < Back to E-Action Main Page Weber State University ** President Institution website: https://www.weber.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.weber.edu/PresidentsOffice ** is President of Weber State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Amy Bosley is President of Northwest Vista College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Northwest Vista College Amy Bosley President Institution website: https://www.alamo.edu/nvc/ Bio Page: https://www.alamo.edu/nvc/news-events/news/2023/july/nvc-welcomes-new-president/#:~:text=Amy%20Bosley%20began%20her%20position,for%20Student%20Success%20(ACCESS). Amy Bosley is President of Northwest Vista College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Sue Andrzejewski is Interim President of California State University-Channel Islands and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-Channel Islands Sue Andrzejewski Interim President Institution website: https://www.csuci.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.csuci.edu/president/campus-leadership/presidents-bio.htm Sue Andrzejewski is Interim President of California State University-Channel Islands and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Intentionally Thriving Institution: 2025-2028 California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI), Ventura County's sole four-year public institution, serves nearly 5,000 undergraduates, with 62% identifying as Latino.

S. Jack Hu is Chancellor of the University of California-Riverside and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of California-Riverside S. Jack Hu Chancellor Institution website: https://www.ucr.edu/ Bio Page: https://safety.ucr.edu/about-the-chancellor S. Jack Hu is Chancellor of the University of California-Riverside and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2024-2027 University of California, Riverside (UCR or UC Riverside) serves the Inland Empire, a region characterized by its significant Chicano/Latino population comprising more than 51% of its residents. UC Riverside focuses on enhancing graduation rates, narrowing equity disparities, and broadening the scope of high-impact practices and career and leadership development opportunities for more than 22,000 undergraduates, including more than 9,000 Latino students.

Tonya Smith-Jackson is Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Rutgers University-Newark Tonya Smith-Jackson Chancellor Institution website: https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/office-chancellor/meet-chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson is Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2025-2028 Rutgers University-Newark (Rutgers-Newark) is an urban public research university, a Hispanic-Serving Institution as well as an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving and Minority-Serving Institution. It serves nearly 8,000 students, with 35% identifying as Hispanic.

This report highlights our impact and shared commitment to transforming higher education for Latinos in ways that benefit all students, communities, and our country. Annual Impact Report DOWNLOAD 2025 Last year was marked by significant change for higher education. Excelencia in Education led through this pivotal moment — responding to and strategizing with institutions navigating our evolving national landscape. Our community of practice continued to shape a future of accountability within higher education to provide value for every student and ensure America’s future. Our 2025 Impact Report captures the progress we made last year, including: Centering post-traditional student and institutional leadership voices in new research on financial aid and college affordability; Elevating evidence-based practices increasing student success through the 2025 Examples of Excelencia ; Expanding the Excelencia in Action network, deepening our collaboration with hundreds of colleges and universities to tap the talents of the Latino community amongst all; Supporting Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) amid the elimination of their federal funding; Strengthening our affiliates’ capacity to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students and bridge their internal growth with external proof of impact; and Certifying and recertifying more colleges and universities with the Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating continuous improvement in student outcomes. This report speaks to the breadth of our impact and the depth of commitment from those who share our belief that innovating in higher education beginning with Latinos — who represent the post-traditional student majority that institutions must serve — supports transformation that benefits all students, communities, and our country. Thank you to Excelencia’s partners and supporters who helped make 2025 a year of meaningful impact as we continue advancing Latino, and all, student success in 2026.

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

Josué Romualdo serves as Community of Practice Manager of Excelencia in Education. Josué works closely with practitioners across higher education institutions and community-based organizations to build relationships and strengthen a national community of practice that supports efforts to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. < Back to Our People Page Josué Romualdo Community of Practice Manager Excelencia in Education Email: jromualdo@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As Community of Practice Manager, I work closely with practitioners across higher education institutions and community-based organizations to build relationships and strengthen a national community of practice that supports efforts to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. I also manage the Growing What Works Database, a resource for practitioners, institutional leaders, funders, and policymakers interested in evidence-based practices that accelerate Latino student success in higher education. Past Experiences: My career has centered on advancing civic participation through efforts focused on voting access, information integrity, and community well-being. I’ve led impactful programs at national organizations, including the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the NALEO Educational Fund. In each role, I developed and managed initiatives that promoted informed voter engagement and supported diverse communities, leading several Latino-focused programs while serving all populations. Whether coordinating outreach campaigns, building coalitions, or responding to emerging challenges, my work has remained grounded in the values that emphasize the importance of promoting civic engagement. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? By joining Excelencia , I build on my experience to continue serving the Latino community, amongst all communities. I’m inspired by Excelencia’s commitment to using data-driven strategies and elevating key partnerships to support student achievement in higher education. This role aligns with my dedication to empower underserved communities through meaningful work and serving all populations. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? If I had to describe our work at Excelencia in one word, it would be dedication. Our staff, along with institutional leaders and program practitioners, are deeply committed to intentionally SERVE Latino, and all, students. It is an honor to collaborate with individuals who share this unwavering dedication to ensuring access to excellence for each student