John Keenan is President of Salem State University and a President for Latino Student Success. < Back to E-Action Main Page Salem State University John Keenan President Institution website: https://www.salemstate.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.salemstate.edu/salem-state-difference/presidents-office/john-d-keenan-biography John Keenan is President of Salem State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Mildred Mihlon is President of Felician University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Felician University Mildred Mihlon President Institution website: https://felician.edu/ Bio Page: https://felician.edu/about-felician-university/office-of-the-president/ Mildred Mihlon is President of Felician University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

This brief expands knowledge on Texas Latino students while providing higher education institutions and policymakers with information to help more Latinos graduate. < Back Framing, Not Blaming: Improving Latino College Transfer in Texas Deborah A. Santiago ; Eyra A. Pérez ; Noé C. Ortiz November 2017 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication Executive Summary SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Framing, Not Blaming: Improving Latino College Transfer in Texas expands knowledge about Latino, and all, students in Texas while providing higher education institutions and policymakers across the country with actionable information to help more students graduate. Stakeholders in Texas have diverse strategies to improve the pathways to college completion. However, too often discussion on transfer pathways focus on segments and stakeholders to blame for breaks in the pathway. The purpose of this brief is twofold: 1) to reframe the options to improve college pathways from blame to shared ownership and action, and, 2) to support discussions translating effective institutional practices into policy strategies that can improve the transfer pathway for Latino and other post-traditional students in Texas. Core to this project and brief is new analysis of current transfer processes, practices and policies in the state and at the following Texas institutional pairs: Alamo Colleges and The University of Texas at San Antonio Austin Community College and Texas State University El Paso Community College and The University of Texas at El Paso Houston Community College and the University of Houston The following areas between and within institutions are where state policy may improve Latino student transfer and success: transferability of credits , data sharing , access to financial aid , and, faculty involvement . The project and brief were supported by the Greater Texas Foundation to apply the findings from an earlier national project to the development of policy approaches to improve Latino student transfer and success. Hear directly from stakeholders including: Jacob Fraire , President & CEO, Texas Association of Community Colleges Donna Ekal , Associate Provost, University of Texas at El Paso Francisco Solis , Dean of Performance Excellence, San Antonio College Virginia Fraire , Vice President of Student Services, Austin Community College Garrett Groves , Economic Opportunity Program Director, Center for Public Policy Priorities Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This historical timeline graphic shows the origin of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), including legislation and milestones from the mid-1980s to 2014. < Back HSI Origin Timeline Excelencia in Education September 2014 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Infographic PNG-HSI Origin Timeline SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Origins Timeline – This graphic shows the origin of HSIs, including legislation and milestones from the mid-1980s to 2014. Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2014). Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Title V Funding Timeline . Washington, DC: Excelencia in Education. Download infographic png and pdf below. (Please allow a few seconds for loading of interactive infographic.) Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Marie Lynn Miranda is Chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of Illinois Chicago Marie Lynn Miranda Chancellor Institution website: https://www.uic.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.uic.edu/about/leadership/ Marie Lynn Miranda is Chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2023-2026 University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is a Hispanic serving research university that serves nearly 22,000 undergraduate students, 36% of whom are Latino. From 2015-2023, Latino students comprised over two-thirds (68%) of the institution’s enrollment growth. UIC enrolls and graduates the largest number of Latino students in Illinois.

San Antonio demonstrates how a community can partner across sectors and institutions to remove financial aid as a barrier for students to access higher education. < Back The Impact of Financial Aid on Student College Access and Success: The San Antonio Experience Noé C. Ortiz ; Eyra A. Pérez March 2014 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview The success of the financial aid initiative is founded on the premise that the truest impact occurs when the greater community owns and develops solutions to issues that impede student progress. Co-authored by two community leaders, Noé Ortiz and Eyra Pérez, the San Antonio experience demonstrates how a community can partner across different sectors and institutions to remove financial aid as a barrier for students to access postsecondary education. The San Antonio case study shares successes, challenges and lessons learned in creating and implementing three strategic components: 1. Student Aid Saturdays San Antonio 2. Financial Aid Curriculum for High School Students 3. Financial Aid Council of San Antonio San Antonio’s growth, diversity, and leadership in strengthening the opportunity for success of its community, provides a useful case study for other communities throughout the United States. In this context, we draw three lessons relevant to communities across America: Partnership development was, and continues to be, a key factor—and challenge—in successful efforts. It is critical to determine how to most effectively empower Latino students and their families to navigate the complex financial aid system in a community context. A robust data collection system is needed to quantify a community’s needs, verify what works, and translate best efforts into best results. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Excellence in teaching supports the realities of Latino, and all, students today and can directly impact persistence, graduation, and post-completion outcomes. < Back Latinos in Teaching and Learning Excelencia in Education March 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excellence in teaching directly impacts persistence, graduation, and post-completion outcomes for the post-traditional majority of students. Latinos represent a majority of these students–often balancing work, family, and financial responsibilities as they persist along their educational pathway. Investing in evidence-based teaching techniques, inclusive learning environments, and structured academic support prepares students with the skills and knowledge to succeed and compete in the workforce. This fact sheet presents Excelencia's insights on ways institutions can leverage teaching and learning strategies to advance academic success for Latino, and all, students. Institutional leaders, deans, department chairs, and faculty play a key role in developing inclusive, data-informed teaching and learning strategies by: Promoting student-centered professional development through centers for teaching and learning (CTLs) Supporting culturally responsive strategies through incentives for instructional and curricular redesign Using data to continuously improve teaching and learning Institutions are implementing intentional teaching and learning practices that advance academic excellence for Latino and other post-traditional students. The following are key examples: University of California, Berkeley - The Puente Project Indiana University Northwest - Pedagogical Interest Groups (PIGS) Georgia State University - Latinx Student Services and Outreach (LASSO) Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2026). Latinos in Teaching and Learning . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Madeline Pumariega is President of Miami Dade College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Miami Dade College Madeline Pumariega President Institution website: https://www.mdc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.mdc.edu/president/madeline-pumariega/ Madeline Pumariega is President of Miami Dade College and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2024-2027 Miami Dade College (MDC) consists of eight campuses and multiple outreach centers in Miami-Dade County in Florida. MDC serves a percentage of Hispanic students that is slightly higher than the 70% of Hispanic residents that reside in the county— enrolling 74,937 credit-seeking students, 77% of whom are Hispanic. MDC students are 58% first-generation college students, 68% identified as low-income, 63% attend college part-time, and 73% work while attending college.

This brief outlines evolving approaches and discussions to understand post-completion success for Latino students at seven Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). < Back Beyond Completion: Post-Completion Efforts at Hispanic-Serving Institutions Gabriel Bermea July 2022 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Post-completion success for Latino students is a conscious campus-based conversation that is gaining traction and support in a growing number of institutions. As the nation continues to recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, institutions intentionally focused on serving their students saw an opportunity to rethink their efforts to support Latino, and all, students beyond degree completion. As institutions continue to make progress on Latino enrollment and completion, Latino representation within the workforce is expected to increase by 3% every year. As a result of these changes, Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are expanding their scope of Latino student success and taking active steps to create learning experiences that promote workforce preparation and foster Latino post-completion success. Excelencia in Education collaborated with seven HSIs to examine post-completion success efforts. Austin Community College California State University-Fullerton Long Beach City College Texas State University University of Arizona University of Illinois Chicago Wilbur Wright College Excelencia in Education's latest brief summarizes efforts by this cohort of HSIs engaged in conscious campus-based conversations to rethink their post-completion success efforts. Findings These HSIs are progressing beyond completion to meet the needs of the nation’s economy and develop strategies and practices that more intentionally serve Latino degree completers. Excelencia identified three strengths that demonstrate the cohort’s efforts to advance post-completion success efforts with the intention to serve Latino completers. These institutions showed strengths in: Offering culturally relevant institutional practices accelerating Latino post-completion success while all groups increase. Providing custom measures and metrics to track post-completion success outcomes. Demonstrating progress in closing the equity gaps of post-completion success outcomes for Latino completers. Excelencia identified three main areas of growth that institutions considered in their post-completion success efforts. These institutions seek to: Deepen their knowledge of data collection efforts and align measures to track post-completion success in both the short and long term. Forge intentional connections with employers and industries looking to diversify their employment pool. Make the case to institutional leadership for intentionally serving completers at their institution. Suggested Citation: Bermea, G.O. (July 2022). Beyond Completion: Post-Completion Efforts at Hispanic-Serving Institutions . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia In Education. Latino College Completion: 2019-2020 While Latino enrollment decreased in 2020, we continue to see an increase in Latino college completion. This brief provides an overview of Latino college completion. LEARN MORE Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This brief shares student and administrator experiences, offering insights to help improve college affordability for Latino, and all, students in Texas and nationally. < Back College Affordability: Insights and Solutions from Texas Students and Postsecondary Leaders Lily Cuellarsola, Madelyn Lucas, and Deborah Santiago June 2025 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Latino students in Texas make informed, pragmatic choices to pay for college, often shaped by state policy and institutional action. This brief builds on 20 years of Excelencia in Education’s research on college affordability for Latino, and all, students , highlighting insights from institutional leaders and student experiences to inform efforts in Texas and beyond. Excelencia in Education engaged students, administrators, and institutional leaders at the following nine Seal-certified institutions in Texas: 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 Read key findings and recommendations from our piece below. Key Findings Excelencia’s interviews with two groups: 1) students and 2) administrators/institutional leaders at the nine Seal-certified institutions in Texas revealed key insights into college affordability. Students are pragmatic in paying for college : Students prioritize financial stability and seek debt-free solutions, often opting for scholarships/grants and work-study over loans. While administrators view loans as strategic tools, students remain loan-averse due to concerns about debt. Student engagement across departments is transformative for students: Both groups agree on the importance of financial aid, but students find the most valuable information about scholarships and financial aid through academic departments rather than institutional outreach. Basic needs are crucial: Non-tuition costs, like housing, food, and transportation, are significant barriers, with students often foregoing paying for one over the other. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) simplification posed challenges. The recent FAFSA simplification brought significant delays for students, families, and practitioners. Texas policies reflect these issues, as the state balances increasing costs with a commitment to keeping student debt manageable, though challenges remain in funding equity and affordability. Recommendations Students and institutional leaders share a commitment to improving college affordability, though they approach the challenge from different perspectives. Students emphasize the need for direct, practical support—such as affordable payment options, basic needs coverage, and personalized guidance. In contrast, presidents and administrators focus on broader structural reforms—including expanding public investment, advocating for adjustment of federal policies, and realigning institutional practices to address affordability at scale. Both groups recognize the importance of financial education and support services, highlighting opportunities for alignment that center student needs while advancing systemic change. Students recommend that institutions: Provide more affordable options , such as income-based scholarships and flexible payment plans, alongside clearer communication and targeted outreach; Offer affordable housing, dining, and parking , while increasing staffing in key departments like financial aid to meet basic needs; and Strengthen first-year guidance in advising and continued support through mentorship and financial literacy programs. Presidents and administrators recommend that state and federal policy: Cover tuition for students from families earning under $100,000 and expand promise programs; Expand Pell Grant support and adjust Pell lifetime limits to serve post-traditional students; Increase funding predictability and support student success initiatives, such as the College Cost Recovery Act; Realign financial aid policies to curb tuition inflation and coordinate funding more effectively to better support Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs); Control off-campus housing options and enhance transportation systems; and Require financial education for graduation and promote the value of diverse postsecondary degrees. Suggested Citation – Cuellarsola, L., Lucas, M., & Santiago, D. (June 2025). College Affordability: Insights and Solutions from Texas Students and Postsecondary Leaders . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Featured Publications How Latinos Pay for College: 2025 National Trends Excelencia’s Policy Agenda: Affordability Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

< Back to News Page 18 Colleges and Universities Taking Responsibility for Students’ Educational and Economic Success Earn the Seal of Excelencia Sep 30, 2025 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Institutions Earning the Seal of Excelencia Go Beyond Enrollment to Intentionally Serve Latino, and All, Students, and Display a Level of Excellence WASHINGTON – Today, Excelencia in Education, a national leader in catalyzing institutional transformation for student success in higher education, announced that 18 institutions have earned the Seal of Excelencia in 2025. These institutions are part of a group of nearly 50 colleges and universities that are taking responsibility for improving Latino, and all, student success. Seal of Excelencia certified institutions produce outsized impact on student outcomes — representing less than 1% of all colleges and universities in the U.S., yet enrolling 16% and graduating 18% of Latino students nationwide, as well as enrolling 7% and graduating 8% of all students. Institutions earn the Seal by going beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students, and by taking responsibility and accountability for providing access to excellence. The Seal framework aligns data, practice, and leadership to move institutions beyond isolated programs toward systemic change and investment providing institutional value to students, their families, and their communities. This year, Excelencia is introducing the Intentionally Thriving Institution (ITI) designation, that extends the impact beyond the educational pathway and recognizes positive impact in preparing students for, and connecting them to, the workforce. “Seal of Excelencia certified institutions are investing in transformation, ensuring access to excellence, and becoming places where Latino, and all, students thrive,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education. “These institutions have made demonstrable efforts to ensure students’ return on investment in a degree while cultivating talent that fuels our country’s future.” The Seal is a rigorous, data-driven certification, not an award or ranking. This year, five institutions have earned certification for the first time, five have earned recertification, and eight have earned Excelencia’s new ITI designation. “ Excelencia is proud to continue to catalyze and support colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia for their impact and intentional efforts to deliver on the promise of higher education for all students. Through our collaboration, we build talent for our country’s workforce and civic leadership,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. The five newly certified Seal of Excelencia institutions are: California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (CA) Dalton State College (GA) Rutgers University-Newark (NJ) San José State University (CA) University of Nevada, Las Vegas (NV) The five recertified Seal of Excelencia institutions are: Mercy University (NY) San Antonio College (TX) University at Albany (NY) University of California, Santa Cruz (CA) The University of Texas at Arlington (TX) The eight colleges and universities that are the first to earn the Intentionally Thriving Institution designation are: Arizona State University (AZ) Austin Community College District (TX) California State University Channel Islands (CA) Florida International University (FL) Grand Valley State University (MI) South Texas College (TX) The University of Texas at El Paso (TX) University of Arizona (AZ) Latinos are the only growing college student population and represent a post-traditional student body, often navigating multiple paths through higher education while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. As more students fit this profile, piloted efforts that work for Latino students — like those being implemented at Seal institutions — can also serve other students. Learn more about institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia certification, recertification, and Intentionally Thriving Institution designation this year: EdExcelencia.org/seal/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions 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.

Summary analysis and list of the 631 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) identified for the 2024-25 academic year. < Back Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2024-25 Excelencia in Education April 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Excelencia in Education has tracked the profile and growth of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) since the founding of the organization (2004). Excelencia in Education develops and releases the list of institutions meeting the basic definition every year to inform the field looking to where Latinos enroll and how institutions serve. HSIs were first defined in federal legislation in the 1992 Higher Education Act and received dedicated federal funding in 1995 to build capacity, improve academic quality, and expand access for Latino and other low-income students. HSIs are defined in federal legislation as accredited, degree-granting public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education with 25% or more total undergraduate Hispanic full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrollment. There are now 631 HSIs located in 29 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These institutions represent 21% of all colleges and universities but enroll 65% of Latino, and 32% of all undergraduates, and graduate 67% of Latino, and 32% of all undergraduates earning a degree in the U.S. See additional data related to 2024-25 HSIs: Fact Sheet Emerging HSIs (eHSIs) List with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) List Infographic Interactive Dashboard Interactive StoryMaps Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2026). Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2024-25 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more about how Excelencia creates the list of HSIs. Learn more in Excelencia's new HSI Factbook. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce