This brief examines Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (eHSIs), which do not yet meet the HSI enrollment threshold but have potential to become HSIs soon. < Back Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): Serving Latino Students Deborah A. Santiago January 2010 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication Executive Summary SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview This brief examines Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) -- institutions that do not yet meet the HSI enrollment threshold of 25 percent, but which are within the critical mass range of 15-24 percent and have the potential to become HSIs in the next few years. The brief integrates national data with data from a web-based survey and four case studies to examine Emerging HSIs' awareness of Latinos as a definable group on their campus, as well as changes in institutional practices to better serve Latino, and all, students. The four Emerging HSIs studied in this brief include: Loyola Marymount University (CA) Palm Beach Community College-Lake Worth (FL) Texas State University-San Marcos (TX) Metropolitan State College of Denver (CO) Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): Serving Latino Students was made possible through a TG Public Benefit Program grant. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Guy Bailey is President of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Guy Bailey President Institution website: https://www.utrgv.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.utrgv.edu/president/about/ Guy Bailey is President of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2024-2027 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a comprehensive academic institution of higher education located along the Texas-Mexico Border, with a population that is 94% Latino. UTRGV recognizes that one of its strengths is the bilingual and bicultural community it serves and is committed to being a model bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate institution, implementing several strategic initiatives to meet that goal. UTRGV embraces the historical and cultural heritage of the region it serves by building curricula and programming that reflect the community assets and intellectual wealth.

A Call to Action: Supporting Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) Over the past few months, the constitutionality of HSIs has been challenged and there have been mixed messages from all branches of the federal government as to higher education’s ability to serve all students, including Latino students. As Excelencia in Education continues our commitment to meet our mission with clarity and purpose in serving Latino, and all, students with intentionality, we see three primary areas that require being informed to compel action: 1 Constitutional overreach: The Administration submitted its FY2026 budget request in May that level funds HSI programs, and both the Senate and House Appropriations Committees did the same as recently as last week. However, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) also announced last week that it would withhold Congressionally authorized and appropriated funds to institutions that had effectively competed for resources to provide a quality education. To be clear, the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) programs are still Constitutional and legal. Determining the Constitutionality of Congressional legislation is the responsibility of the Judicial branch, not the Executive branch. To stop funding and consider redistribution of Congressionally appropriated funds represents significant overreach from the Executive branch without regard to Congressional intent and due process for the hundreds of institutions and millions of students negatively impacted. 2 All means all: While some believe a focus on race and ethnicity divides us as a society, Excelencia in Education believes that acknowledging racial and ethnic trends describes our society in constructive ways. The use of data to identify factors affecting the success of specific student populations establishes a base of information from which to develop more effective policies, invest limited public resources, engage diverse stakeholders, and inform institutional transformation to more intentionally serve the evolving profiles of all students. As the fastest-growing segment of the college-going population, Latino students embody a post-traditional experience, navigating multiple pathways through higher education while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities. Institutional efforts that evolve to support their success advances higher education in ways that can benefit all students. However, to know if we are actually serving all, we need to disaggregate data; if we see gaps in access or attainment, we need to address these gaps to ensure access to opportunity and accountability for outcomes truly represents all students. 3 HSIs fulfill a national need for an educated citizenry and workforce: The HSI programs fulfill a clear federal responsibility articulated in the Higher Education Act to expand opportunities for students across the country. Further, the amount of federal funds allotted for competitive HSI grants are small relative to the transformational work invested for innovation that improve educational outcomes for all enrolled students, regardless of race. HSIs operate with fewer resources yet serve the fastest-growing segment of the college-age population. Supporting HSIs is therefore a strategic investment in America’s competitiveness, democracy, and shared prosperity . Ending HSI support would not erase racial disparities; it would ignore them and weaken the nation’s ability to develop the educated workforce and informed citizenry it needs. Call to Action Serving Latino, and all, students remains our shared goal to keep our country strong. Today’s challenges are happening on our watch and we must take action to ensure our students have access to the quality education they deserve to strengthen their families, communities, and country. Contact your Congressional representative and let them know how this action is directly affecting your community, students, and families. If you don’t know who your representative is, look it up here . You can also call (202) 224-3121 to reach any congressional office. Share the positive impact HSI funds have made and be explicit of what will change without funds with the media, your constituents, and with Excelencia so that we can all bring attention to the value provided with the limited federal investment made in your institution to provide access to a quality education. If you don’t know if there is an HSI in your area, review the HSI list here. Inform and encourage your supporters, including community leaders, business partners, alumni, students, and others who also believe every student deserves equal opportunity to a quality education to reach out to their representatives on behalf of you and other institutions to put a voice to what will be lost if support of HSI funding is withdrawn. Your network of supporters has seen the impact your institutions have on students and the community. Excelencia Taking Action To support our community of common cause, Excelencia will also take action and continue to: Develop an agenda that includes new approaches to policy and practice that advances opportunity for Latinos and all. Articulate the value of intentionally serving Latino, and all, students to ensure equal opportunity and strengthen our communities, workforce and our country. Make the case about the importance of HSIs with data and promote the value add of limited federal resources in ensuring opportunity meets the talent in our communities. Promote the value of institutions that have earned the Seal of Excelencia . These are institutions taking responsibility and holding themselves accountable to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students to improve their access, persistence, degree attainment, and link to the workforce using data, practice, and leadership. Collaborate with other national organizations to offer resources and support to our communities. Inform philanthropy and funders of the current and evolving impact of federal decisions on the network and community and mobilize opportunities for financial support. Learn More About HSIs The Case for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): Opportunity Meeting Talent By: Deborah A. Santiago, CEO, Excelencia in Education In recent weeks, we’ve seen the current administration refuse to defend and, later, seek to end funding for Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) grant programs, arguing that they are racially discriminatory. Read Excelencia's latest case for HSIs and learn more about how these programs constitute a strategic, competitive, capacity-building investment in institutions that disproportionately educate America’s fastest-growing student population and why supporting them is a strategic investment in our democracy. Read Now | Sep 15, 2025 · 4 min read

Hubert Benitez is President of Saint Peter's University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Saint Peter's University Hubert Benitez President Institution website: https://www.saintpeters.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.saintpeters.edu/president/presidents-biography/ Hubert Benitez is President of Saint Peter's University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

** is President of Mohave College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Mohave College ** President Institution website: https://www.mohave.edu/ Bio Page: ** is President of Mohave College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Philomena V. Mantella is President of Grand Valley State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Grand Valley State University Philomena V. Mantella President Institution website: https://www.gvsu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.gvsu.edu/president/ Philomena V. Mantella is President of Grand Valley State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Intentionally Thriving Institution: 2025-2028 Grand Valley State University (GVSU), a public liberal arts university in West Michigan, serves over 19,000 undergraduates, with less than 10% identifying as Latino.

Susan Parish is President of Mercy University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Mercy University Susan Parish President Institution website: https://www.mercy.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.mercy.edu/news-events/news/maverick-magazine-spring-2023-mercy-college-selects-13th-president-susan-l-parish Susan Parish is President of Mercy University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2025-2028 Mercy University continues to serve Latino students as the largest Hispanic-Serving Institution in the New York region, enrolling almost 6,800 students of which 48% identify as Latino.

Michael Avaltroni is President of Fairleigh Dickinson University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Fairleigh Dickinson University Michael Avaltroni President Institution website: https://www.fdu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.fdu.edu/about/university-leadership-offices/university-president/biography/ Michael Avaltroni is President of Fairleigh Dickinson University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

How have the number and location of Hispanic-Serving Institutions and eHSIs changed over time? Learn more about the evolution of HSIs with Excelencia's StoryMap. < Back Evolution of HSIs: Interactive StoryMap Excelencia in Education April 2026 DOWNLOADS/LINKS StoryMap on HSIs SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview How have the number and location of HSIs and eHSIs changed over 31 years? Learn more about the evolution of HSIs through Excelencia’s HSI StoryMap. CLICK HERE to Explore Excelencia's interactive StoryMap on HSIs. Source: Excelencia in Education analysis using U.S. Department of Education, NCES, IPEDS, 1994-2024 Fall Enrollment, Institutional Characteristics, and Completions Surveys. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

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 Missouri, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Missouri 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) 33% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 43% Of White adults Fast Facts Missouri had the 31st largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 8% K-12 Population 5% Total Population Enrollment 20% Latino Students 19% White Students Median Age 27 Latinos 41 White Median Income $34,599 Without a college degree $59,047 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 9%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Missouri. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 7%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Missouri. 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 Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City Public, 2-year 10,412 1,562 15% 1,791 226 13% 2 University of Missouri-Columbia Public, 4-year or above 23,118 1,327 6% 5,944 307 5% 3 Park University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 5,250 1,228 23% 1,527 349 23% 4 University of Missouri-Kansas City Public, 4-year or above 6,618 1,071 16% 1,634 186 11% 5 Washington University in St Louis Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 7,897 992 13% 1,881 182 10% 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.

Matt Cuozzo serves as Chief of Staff of Excelencia in Education. Matt servs as a core liaison to support strategic implementation across the organization. < Back to Our People Page Matt Cuozzo Chief of Staff Excelencia in Education Email: mcuozzo@EdExcelencia.org Current Position: As Chief of Staff, my role is to serve as a core liaison to support strategic implementation across the organization. Internally, I coordinate communication across teams, support organization-wide strategic planning, and work with our Executive Team and portfolio leads to increase organizational capacity. Externally, I provide oversight for several strategic partnerships, represent the organization at relevant meetings and events, and intentionally engage with affiliates and partners to meet our mission of accelerating Latino student success in higher education. Past Experiences: I began my career as a college success program coach serving low-income and first-generation students. This led me to pursue a graduate degree in Higher Education, where I studied the systemic barriers and opportunities for equity in higher education. During that time, I interned for Excelencia , contributing to our work on College Completion through a Latino Lens. Most recently I worked at a community college implementing models of academic support, peer mentorship, engagement, and personal growth for 650+ students yearly, both dual enrollment high school students and college scholarship recipients. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? I am committed to a future that prioritizes and recognizes the strengths of Black and Brown students. While I have significant experience serving students directly, I have the opportunity in my current role to contribute to a broader awareness and help build coalitions in ways that empower Latino students and communities. In everything I do, I try to help advance racial equity on a national scale. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Excelencia ’s power is its people. We know that the community we serve always comes first. Whether we’re collaborating to develop an innovative approach to help institutions transform, or whether we’re playing lotería during a team holiday party, we uplift, challenge, and inspire one other.

Susana Rivera-Mills is President of Aurora University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Aurora University Susana Rivera-Mills President Institution website: https://aurora.edu/index.html Bio Page: https://aurora.edu/president/leadership/susana-rivera-mills.html S usana Rivera-Mills is President of Aurora University and part of Excelencia in Action network.