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Excelencia is the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, building momentum to improve Latino, and all, students’ achievement through innovation across three key areas: Leadership, Data, and Practice. Our Approach What We Do Excelencia in Education is a trusted source of information on contemporary issues in higher education and a national leader catalyzing colleges and universities to become more student-centered in their strategies and practices. We focus on four key elements of transforming higher education to produce measurable outcomes for our students, institutions, and the nation’s workforce: Leadership: Excelencia leads a national network of higher education leaders, practitioners, and supporters committed to ensuring students earn a quality education. Over 141 institutions affiliated with Excelencia in Action (E-Action) disproportionately enroll and graduate Latino, and all, students, growing talent for our workforce. Among them, 45 have earned the Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating continuous improvement in student outcomes. Data: Excelencia establishes a foundation of knowledge on issues influencing student success to catalyze institutions, advance effective policies, and compel action. This includes annual analysis of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and seminal research on college affordability and workforce pathways . Practice: Excelencia identifies and promotes evidence-based programs at the forefront of improving higher educational achievement. Premier in this work is Examples of Excelencia , the only national effort to recognize programs with evidence of effectiveness in increasing Latino, and all, students’ success. Our community of practice grows what works to facilitate access to excellence in higher education. Capacity Building: Excelencia partners with institutions to strengthen and reinforce their capacity to more intentionally serve Latino students, leading to excellence for all students. Our capacity building programming meets institutions where they are in their transformation and helps them communicate impact and position themselves for funding opportunities. SEE OUR IMPACT How We Do It Accelerating Latino student success is Excelencia’s mission, and confianza is how we do it. Excelencia was born from our commitment to change the narrative about Latino college students from a focus on deficit-oriented diagnoses and intractable achievement gaps to a focus on asset-based opportunities to accelerate Latino student success. We believe that what describes us does not divide us — unless we let it happen. We frame serving Latinos as an opportunity — not to exclude others, but to transform institutions in a way that can benefit all. Confianza embodies elements of trust, responsibility, and mutual respect. Through an ongoing process of communication, collaboration, and innovation, we act as a trusted partner, facilitator, and guide for colleges and universities considering how they strengthen their efforts to more intentionally SERVE Latino students. LEARN MORE Our Tactical Plan for Latino Student Success Latinos represent one of the fastest growing populations nationally and within higher education. Excelencia has developed a tactical plan to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students with the understanding that doing so ultimately serves our country: Design a national acceleration plan for Latino students in higher education Advocate publicly societal benefits for raising Latinos’ degree completion [Policy Agenda ] Track degree completion goals and measures of progress [Latino College Completion: U.S. ] Replicate and expand institutional practices that are working for Latino students [Examples of Excelencia ] Build a community of common cause [Excelencia in Action network ] Align and deliver educational support efforts to institutions [Technical Assistance Institutes ] Increase support and accountability for institutions intentionally serving Latino students [Seal of Excelencia ] Evolve efforts to support institutional transformation as a trusted intermediary

Adriana Rodriguez serves as Chief Operating Officer & Vice President for Institutional Programs of Excelencia in Education. Adriana works closely with the CEO, focusing on optimizing processes, managing resources, and ensuring efficient execution of business strategies. < Back to Our People Page Adriana Rodriguez Chief Operating Officer & Vice President for Institutional Programs Excelencia in Education Email: arodriguez@EdExcelencia.org Current Position: Adriana Rodriguez serves as Excelencia in Education’s Chief Operating Officer & Vice President for Institutional Programs. As the COO she works closely with the CEO, focusing on optimizing processes, managing resources, and ensuring efficient execution of business strategies. In her role as Vice President, she sets the strategic direction of the Institutional Practices portfolio. This involves supporting a dedicated team in the execution of programming for Examples of Excelencia and the Growing What Works (GWW) Database. Past Experiences: Adriana has 20 years of experience in non-profit education sector. During her 17 years of service at the Maya Angelou Schools in Washington, D.C., she worked in the areas of data infrastructure, office operations, continuous improvement practices, and school accountability policy. These focus areas had a secondary education lens, but she also worked on post-secondary pathways for six of those years by designing and managing college access and success services for the schools’ seniors and alumni. She was a tireless advocate among school leaders and city officials to ensure the inclusion of alternative youth populations in policy decisions. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? My career has focused on equitable access to education and employment opportunities for older youth and young adults, especially those most marginalized by educational systems. Excelencia provides an opportunity to bring a Latino lens to my work and to address issues at a national level and with higher education partners committed to student-thriving environments. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? I show up every day for Excelencia because of its mission and clear pathway to achieve it. I enjoy being part of a diverse and talented staff that works hard to achieve our goals. I appreciate the collaboration with all of our wonderful programs and institutions to transform higher education to more intentionally serve Latino and all post-traditional students.

Montserrat Fuentes is President of St. Edward's University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page St. Edward's University Montserrat Fuentes President Institution website: https://www.stedwards.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.stedwards.edu/about/university-leadership/president Montserrat Fuentes is President of St. Edward's University and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2023-2026 St. Edward’s University (St. Edward’s) is a private university in Austin, Texas that enrolls 2,766 undergraduate students, of whom 51% are Latino, and 40% are Pell Grant recipients. St. Edward’s was founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross, from which it acquired distinguishing characteristics: the courage to take risks, an international perspective and the commitment to provide educational opportunities for students of varied cultural, religious, educational and economic backgrounds.

Taylor Eighmy is President of The University of Texas at San Antonio and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page The University of Texas at San Antonio Taylor Eighmy President Institution website: https://www.utsa.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.utsa.edu/president/biography/ Taylor Eighmy is President of The University of Texas at San Antonio and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2023-2026 The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a Hispanic serving research university that serves nearly 30,000 undergraduate students, 61% of whom are Latino. UTSA is committed to becoming a Hispanic thriving institution, supporting the San Antonio community through: the enhancement of an educated workforce; the application of knowledge to solve societal grand challenges; the development of new innovations, businesses and social programs; and the preparation of the next generation of Hispanic leaders.

Rosemary Costigan is President of Community College of Rhode Island and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Community College of Rhode Island Rosemary Costigan President Institution website: https://www.ccri.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.ccri.edu/president/bio.html Rosemary Costigan is President of Community College of Rhode Island and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Morgan Phillips is President of Gateway Technical College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Gateway Technical College Morgan Phillips President Institution website: https://www.gtc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.gtc.edu/about-gateway/college-leadership Morgan Phillips is President of Gateway Technical College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Elizabeth Béjar is Provost, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer at Florida International University, and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Elizabeth Béjar Provost, Executive Vice President, and COO Florida International University Elizabeth B é jar, serves as Provost, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer at 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 . She 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. Béjar 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.

Jermaine Williams is President of Montgomery College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Montgomery College Jermaine Williams President Institution website: https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/index.html Bio Page: https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/about-mc/office-of-the-president/presidents-biography.html Jermaine Williams is President of Montgomery College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Latinos will need to earn 6.2 million degrees by 2030 to reach the U.S. degree attainment goal. Learn about Latino College Completion in Nevada. Latino College Completion - Nevada Nationally, the gap in degree completion between Latinos and their White peers continues. However, different patterns emerge within each state or location. To reach the Latino degree attainment goal by 2030, states can close the degree completion gap by accelerating Latino completion while increasing for all students and scale up programs and initiatives that work for Latino, and all, students. To find out more, scroll below. DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET Degree Attainment for Latino Students (2021) 20% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 43% Of White adults Fast Facts Nevada had the 14th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 41% K-12 Population 30% Total Population 2-Year Graduation Rate 68% Latino Students 67% White Students Median Age 29 Latinos 47 White 4-Year Graduation Rate 40% Latino Students 50% White Students Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 1%-points higher than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Nevada. At four-year institutions , Hispanics' graduation rate was 10%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Nevada. BACK TO MAIN LCC PAGE Top Institutions To find out more about the top institutions enrolling, and awarding associate and bachelor degrees to Hispanics by using the tabs below to navigate the information. Click on the tabs below to explore. ENROLLING ASSOCIATES DEGREES BACHELORS DEGREE Top Institutions Enrolling (Hispanic Undergraduates) in Nevada, 2021-2022 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 College of Southern Nevada Public, 4-year or above 27,817 10,725 39% 2 University of Nevada-Las Vegas Public, 4-year or above 24,835 8,303 33% 3 University of Nevada-Reno Public, 4-year or above 16,274 3,853 24% 4 Truckee Meadows Community College Public, 4-year or above 6,307 2,394 38% 5 Nevada State College Public, 4-year or above 4,110 1,749 43% Top Institutions Awarding Associate Degrees to Hispanics in Nevada, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 College of Southern Nevada Public, 4-year or above 3,323 1,105 33% 2 Truckee Meadows Community College Public, 4-year or above 1,272 377 30% 3 Western Nevada College Public, 4-year or above 604 162 27% 4 Great Basin College Public, 4-year or above 339 82 24% 5 Career College of Northern Nevada Private for-profit, 2-year 93 49 53% Top Institutions Awarding Bachelor Degrees to Hispanics in Nevada, 2020-2021 Rank Institutions Sector Grand Total Hispanic Total % Hispanic 1 University of Nevada-Las Vegas Public, 4-year or above 4,823 1,395 29% 2 University of Nevada-Reno Public, 4-year or above 3,730 803 22% 3 Nevada State College Public, 4-year or above 761 249 33% 4 Roseman University of Health Sciences Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 287 42 15% 5 Arizona College of Nursing-Las Vegas Private for-profit, 4-year or above 83 33 40% 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 Excelencia in Education. (2020). Ensuring America’s Future: Benchmarking Latino College Completion to 2030. Excelencia in Education. Washington, D.C. U.S. Census Bureau, 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Excelencia in Education Analysis using the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2021 Fall Enrollment, Graduation Rates Survey and Institutional Characteristics Survey.

Eyra Pérez serves as Vice President of Institutional Capacity of Excelencia in Education. Eyra provides leadership for the technical assistance support Excelencia provides to institutional partners committed to more intentionally serving their Latino students. < Back to Our People Page Eyra Pérez Vice President of Institutional Capacity Excelencia in Education Email: eperez@EdExcelencia.org Current Position: Eyra provides leadership for the technical assistance support Excelencia provides to institutional partners committed to more intentionally serving their Latino students. She manages resources and partnerships with other organizations for the effective and efficient implementation of Excelencia ’s technical assistance plan. Eyra leads Excelencia ’s efforts to build an extensive network of facilitators and practitioners to support and serve institutions in their transformational journeys. She also ensures the delivery of high-quality technical assistance support to institutional partners to facilitate their progress to more intentionally serve Latino students. Past Experiences: Eyra brings more than 25 years of experience in Latino student access and success, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, equity-centered practices, program development and management, student development, student leadership, financial aid, transfer, STEM, and parent involvement. Her professional experience includes higher education, K-12 education, and non-profit community-based organizations. Eyra earned a PhD in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), a Master’s in Educational Leadership from UTSA, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Our Lady of the Lake University. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? As a first-generation Latina from one of the most distressed and undereducated areas of Texas, I have committed my personal and professional life to ensure Latino students, and all students, are provided the opportunities to access higher education and the experiences, in and out of classrooms, to ensure their success. Being a part of the Excelencia team, grants me the opportunity to serve those that serve our Latino students and fulfill my personal and professional mission. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia is like no other professional experience I have had. I am honored and humbled to work with and learn from institutional leaders and practitioners from across the nation that are committed to creating the thriving environments that our Latino, and all, students need and deserve. I am part of a team of very committed individuals who advance Excelencia ’s mission to accelerate Latino student success by being intentional and innovative as we build on a national stage. Excelencia ’s asset-based approach to leading, investigating, and highlighting what works for Latino students empowers me to do more and work harder.

Excelencia's brief examines characteristics of institutions that serve Latinos as well as ways to measure Latino student success and institutional effectiveness. < Back Latino Student Success at Hispanic Serving Institutions: Findings from a Demonstration Project Deborah A. Santiago; Sarita E. Brown; Sally J. Andrade January 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview This seminal brief, originally released in 2004, started shaping Excelencia in Education’s national agenda to accelerate Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education. It examined the institutional leadership and practices that promote Latino student success at six HSIs in California, Texas, and New York. As you read this brief, consider these three original framing components to today’s evolving college and university efforts to intentionally serve our students: Hispanic “serving” institutions must actively promote Latino students’ success amongst all served , not just enroll Hispanic students. Latino student success includes more than degree completion . Student engagement in campus activities, continuous enrollment, employment beyond graduation, and enrollment in graduate education are also part of student success. Multiple measures of institutional effectiveness and incentives for educating Latino students are critical as HSIs lead and develop innovative practices that promote student success. Building on the insights from this project — followed by years of working with colleges and universities active in our Excelencia in Action (E-Action) national network and continually identifying evidence-based practices that advance Latino, and all, students — led us to design the Seal of Excelencia . Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

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.