Jeffrey P. Nasse is Chancellor of Pima Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Pima Community College Jeffrey P. Nasse Chancellor Institution website: https://www.pima.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.pima.edu/about-pima/leadership-policies/chancellor/index.html Jeffrey P. Nasse is Chancellor of Pima Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2024-2027 Pima Community College (PCC) is located just one-hour north of the U.S.-Mexico border in Tucson, Arizona. The PCC student population reflects 49% Latino, of which 66% attend part-time and 33% attend full-time. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to fostering pathways to high-skill, high-wage jobs, PCC has undertaken a strategic approach to align their educational offerings with the needs of the local labor market, presenting significant opportunities for social and economic mobility, particularly to its Latino community.

< Back to News Page Excelencia in Education Recognizes Programs Intentionally Serving Latino, and all, Students in Higher Education Aug 13, 2024 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE Eighteen Programs Attain National Recognition as Examples of Excelencia Finalists for Evidence-Based Practices Making a Positive Impact on Latino, and all, Student Success WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 13, 2024) – In our 20th year of service to accelerate Latino student success while increasing all student success in higher education, Excelencia in Education announced today the finalists for the 2024 Examples of Excelencia , recognizing 18 programs across the country that intentionally serve Latino students amongst all in higher education with culturally relevant and asset-based programming. Examples of Excelencia is the only national, data-driven effort to identify, aggregate, and promote evidence-based practices increasing Latino student success amongst all served in higher education. Since 2005, Excelencia has received over 2,000 program submissions, recognized over 400 programs for their impact, and raised and awarded over $2 million to programs making a positive difference for Latino, and all, students across the country. This year’s finalists demonstrate an intentional and aligned approach in supporting Latino and other post-traditional students academically, financially, and socially. These efforts lead to improved retention and persistence rates as students work toward credit and degree completion. Practitioners and leaders can look to the 2024 Examples of Excelencia finalists as models of what is possible when you intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. “Participating in Examples of Excelencia allows practitioners to assess and share the impact of their program on Latino participants. Excelencia applauds this year’s finalists for ensuring their programming intentionally serves Latino students in comprehensive and asset-based ways to support them to and through college,” said Adriana Rodriguez, COO and vice president for institutional programs at Excelencia in Education. The 18 finalists were selected through a review of 103 program submissions representing higher education institutions and community-based organizations across 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in four categories: associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organizations. Programmatic details about the finalists will be featured in Excelencia’s Growing What Works Database — the only national database for institutional leaders, funders, policymakers, and others interested in evidence-based programming for Latino, and all, students. On September 30, Excelencia will announce four of the 18 finalists selected as the 2024 Examples of Excelencia at Celebración de Excelencia , the organization’s annual recognition event, in Washington, D.C. The event convenes practitioners, policymakers, and professionals who are setting the national agenda for Latino, and all, student success in higher education. This year, Excelencia in Education also recognizes 12 Programs to Watch from eight states. These programs were identified because of their promising efforts already making a positive impact on Latino, and all, student success while building their evidence of effectiveness. The 2024 Examples of Excelencia finalists are: ASSOCIATE LEVEL: Community Health Worker from the Richard J. Daley College and the Arturo Velasquez Institute – Chicago, IL English for Academic Purposes from Reading Area Community College – Reading, PA NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) from Cerritos College – Norwalk, CA Pathway to Law School from Santa Ana College – Santa Ana, CA The Village from Cerritos College – Norwalk, CA The Writing Center from Santa Barbara City College – Santa Barbara, CA BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) Scholars Project from Arizona State University – Tempe, AZ Pedagogical Interest Groups (PIGs) from Indiana University Northwest – Gary, IN The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) from Washington State University – Pullman, WA Upward Bound from California State University, San Bernardino – San Bernardino, CA GRADUATE LEVEL: Master of Science in Higher Education (MSHE) from California State University, Fullerton – Fullerton, CA Master of Arts in Multilingual and Multicultural Studies from Texas Woman’s University – Denton, TX Project upGRADS from California State University, Fullerton – Fullerton, CA COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS: College Bound / College Success from Foundation for a College Education – East Palo Alto, CA LEAF College Success Program from Latino Education Advancement Foundation – San Jose, CA Career Pathways: Empowering Students to Succeed from The Immokalee Foundation, Inc. – Immokalee, FL Thrive Scholars 6-Year Program from Thrive Scholars – Los Angeles, CA Enhancing Career Pathways for Latinos in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) from Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) – Mercedes, TX Learn more about the 2024 finalists for the Examples of Excelencia : EdExcelencia.org/what-works-examples-excelencia/examples-excelencia-finalists 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

Tomás Morales is President of California State University-San Bernardino and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page California State University-San Bernardino Tomás Morales President Institution website: https://www.csusb.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.csusb.edu/presidents-office Tomás Morales is President of California State University-San Bernardino and part of Excelencia in Action network. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2024-2027 California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is a regional comprehensive university located in one of California’s fastest growing and diverse areas. CSUSB’s diverse student body is 71% Latino, 79% first-generation, and 56% Pell recipients. With 90% of the undergraduates residing in the local counties of San Bernardino and Riverside, CSUSB is dedicated to defining the future for its Latino students and communities.

Excelencia's 2023 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education compendium recognizes programs making a positive difference in their campus and community. < Back 2023 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education Excelencia in Education September 2023 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Since 2005, Excelencia in Education has led the Examples of Excelencia , the only national data-driven initiative that recognizes programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate level as well as at community-based organizations with evidence of effectiveness in increasing Latino student success amongst all served. Across 18 years, over 2,000 programs have been submitted for consideration and over 400 programs have been highlighted. This year, our compendium recognizes the robust efforts that practitioners across the country are making through our four Examples of Excelencia , nineteen Finalists , and eight Programs to Watch . These programs join a strong history of recognizing what works and each program described in this compendium is making a difference in the lives of their students, their campus, and their community. They show what is possible when institutions and organizations intentionally serve Latino students, while serving all students. Excelencia in Education invites you to learn more about the programs that this year best embodies the spirit of Examples of Excelencia . 2023 Examples of Excelencia ASSOCIATE LEVEL: Engineering Program at Wright | City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College (IL) Institution/Organization: City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College State: Illinois Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Transfer BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: Spanish Community Translation and Interpreting Program | The University of Texas at Arlington (TX) Institution/Organization: The University of Texas at Arlington State: Texas Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Discipline/Subject GRADUATE LEVEL: Graduate Equity Fellowship Program | California State University, Chico (CA) Institution/Organization: California State University, Chico State: California Issue Area: Retention Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Mentoring COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION LEVEL: College and Career Success | Breakthrough Central Texas (TX) Institution/Organization: Breakthrough Central Texas State: Texas Issue Area: Support Services Program Focus: First-Year Support, Mentoring Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Summary analysis and list of the 257 institutions identified as HSIs with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) in 2023-24. < Back Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs (gHSIs): 2023-24 Excelencia in Education April 2025 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Of the 602 Hispanic-Serving Institutions in 2023-24, 257 offer graduate degrees (169 offer doctoral degrees as the highest degree, 69 offer master’s degrees, and 19 offer a post-master’s certificate). Excelencia in Education has been tracking HSIs that offer graduate degrees for over 20 years since the organization’s founding in 2004. The list of institutions identified as HSIs with graduate programs in this analysis is not intended to designate eligibility for any specific program; rather, the list is meant to assist in considering and analyzing the institutions that meet the legislative definition of an HSI and offer graduate programs. See additional data related to 2023-24 HSIs: Fact Sheet List Emerging HSIs (eHSIs) List Infographic Interactive Dashboard Interactive StoryMaps Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2025). Hispanic-Serving Institutions with Graduate Programs (gHSIs): 2023-24 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. 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

Havidán Rodríguez is the President for the University at Albany - State University of New York, and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Havidán Rodríguez President University at Albany - State University of New York Havidán Rodríguez is the 20th president of the University at Albany, one of the nation’s most diverse research universities. The first Latino president of a SUNY four-year institution, he took office in September 2017. Under President Rodríguez’s leadership, the University at Albany has opened a state-of-the-art teaching and research facility, won $75 million in state support for the UAlbany-led Albany Artificial Intelligence Supercomputing Initiative, and became the first R1 institution in the northeast to earn the Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to Latino student success. Most recently, under President Rodríguez’s leadership, the College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering returned to UAlbany and merged with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences to become the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering, solidifying UAlbany as an essential partner in semiconductor and nanoscale research and economic development in New York State.

This brief explores practices by programs to increase Latino student success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to address workforce needs. < Back Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Janette Martinez; Deborah A. Santiago June 2017 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees are a key focus for many communities to address workforce needs. Yet less than 10 percent of STEM degrees and certificates awarded annually are to Latinos. To increase Latino representation in STEM jobs, colleges need to recruit, retain, and graduate more Latino STEM students amongst all served. This brief explores practices used by programs to serve Latino students and increase all students' success. Looking to know what works or connect with evidence-based programs recognized by Excelencia ? Let’s talk. 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 . Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

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.

< 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

Phillip Sisson is President of Middlesex Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Middlesex Community College Phillip Sisson President Institution website: https://www.middlesex.edu/index.html Bio Page: https://www.middlesex.edu/president/index.html Phillip Sisson is President of Middlesex Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Cassy Castañón serves as a Technical Assistance Manager of Excelencia in Education. Cassy supports and implements institutes, pláticas, webinars, and tools for institutional teams to support their transformational progress to more intentionally serve Latino students. < Back to Our People Page Cassy Castañón Technical Assistance Manager Excelencia in Education Email: ccastanon@edexcelencia.org Current Position: Cassy serves as the Technical Assistance Manager as part of the Institutional Capacity team and is responsible for supporting and implementing institutes, pláticas, webinars, and tools for institutional teams to support their transformational progress to more intentionally serve Latino students. In addition, she coordinates the case management, informational methods, and strategies to assist institutions with improving access, retention, and completion of Latino students. Past Experiences: Cassy has dedicated her professional career to ensuring students have access to the information, tools, and support to ensure their educational success. After receiving her master’s degree in Library and Information Science, she worked at Reading is Fundamental, a literacy non-profit in DC, supporting schools and programs throughout the US, Puerto Rico and Guam. She also dedicated more than 10 years supporting foster youth with educational and housing needs at United Friends of the Children. As a coordinator, she supported the organization’s goal to bring college within reach for their students by securing event locations for college access workshops and other engagements and creating and maintaining various processes. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? Exclencia’s mission to accelerate Latino student success in higher education resonates with me. As a first-generation college student and granddaughter of farm workers, I recognize the important role education has played in my life which is why I have spent most of my career giving back to education in some capacity. Excelencia allows me to continue to do that by helping to SERVE Latino students. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia is an amazing experience. I have exceptional coworkers who are dedicated to transforming higher education. Excelencia approaches everything with integrity and passion and allows me to continue to grow professionally.

Andrés Henríquez is the Director of STEM Education Strategy at the Education Development Center, and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Andrés Henríquez Director of STEM Education Strategy, US Division Education Development Center, Inc. Andrés Henríquez is the Director of STEM Education Strategy at the Education Development Center, and a national expert in science, educational technology, and policy. He brings extensive experience in philanthropy, having served as a program officer at the National Science Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. He is deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of underserved children and most recently, led a partnership between the New York Hall of Science, public schools, and first-generation Latino families in Corona, Queens. Earlier in his career, he worked at EDC’s Center for Children and Technology, where he led a partnership between Bell Atlantic and Union City Schools that fueled a community transformation in Union City, New Jersey, and received national recognition from President Clinton.