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.

Robert Garza is President of Palo Alto College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Palo Alto College Robert Garza President Institution website: https://www.alamo.edu/pac/ Bio Page: https://www.alamo.edu/pac/about-pac/leadership/office-of-the-president/ Robert Garza is President of Palo Alto College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Tracy Hartzler is President of Central New Mexico Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Central New Mexico Community College Tracy Hartzler President Institution website: https://www.cnm.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.cnm.edu/about-cnm/president/presidents-biography Tracy Hartzler is President of Central New Mexico Community College and part of Excelencia in Action network.

Joyce Ester is President of Governors State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Governors State University Joyce Ester President Institution website: https://www.govst.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.govst.edu/president/ Joyce Ester is President of Governors State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

David A. Tandberg is President of Adams State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Adams State University David A. Tandberg President Institution website: https://www.adams.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.adams.edu/president/ David A. Tandberg is President of Adams State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

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 Massachusetts, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Massachusetts 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) 30% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 60% Of White adults Fast Facts Massachusetts had the 16th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 20% K-12 Population 13% Total Population Enrollment 20% Latino Students 27% White Students Median Age 30 Latinos 45 White Median Income $38,127 Without a college degree $77,006 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 12%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Massachusetts. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 8%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Massachusetts. 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston Public, 4-year or above 11,848 2,327 20% 2,389 377 16% 2 Bunker Hill Community College Public, 2-year 7,322 2,195 30% 945 223 24% 3 University of Massachusetts-Amherst Public, 4-year or above 23,694 2,067 9% 6,866 524 8% 4 Boston University Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 17,850 2,018 11% 4,557 505 11% 5 University of Massachusetts-Lowell Public, 4-year or above 11,632 1,838 16% 2,943 342 12% 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.

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

Kenneth Christensen is Chancellor of the University of Colorado-Denver is affiliated with the Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page University of Colorado, Denver Kenneth Christensen Chancellor Institution website: https://ucdenver.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.ucdenver.edu/chancellor/biography Kenneth Christensen is Chancellor of the University of Colorado-Denver is affiliated with the Excelencia in Action network.

Richard Bierschbach is President of Wayne State University and part of Excelencia in Action network. < Back to E-Action Main Page Wayne State University Richard Bierschbach President Institution website: https://wayne.edu/ Bio Page: https://president.wayne.edu/about Richard Bierschbach is President of Wayne State University and part of Excelencia in Action network.

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 Idaho, highlighting the need for strategies that accelerate Latino degree attainment and support success for all students. Latino College Completion - Idaho 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) 24% Of Latino adults (25 and over) had earned an associate degree or higher VS 44% Of White adults Fast Facts Idaho had the 34th largest Latino population in the U.S. Latino Population 19% K-12 Population 14% Total Population Enrollment 21% Latino Students 21% White Students Median Age 26 Latinos 40 White Median Income $37,151 Without a college degree $58,987 With a college degree Degree Outcomes At two-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was equal to that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Idaho. At four-year institutions, Hispanics' graduation rate was 11%-points lower than that of their White non-Hispanic peers in Idaho. 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 Brigham Young University-Idaho Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above 42,090 7,802 19% 8,589 1,197 14% 2 Boise State University Public, 4-year or above 17,081 2,590 15% 4,058 580 14% 3 College of Western Idaho Public, 2-year 5,898 1,264 21% 991 162 16% 4 Idaho State University Public, 4-year or above 7,260 1,113 15% 1,640 194 12% 5 College of Southern Idaho Public, 4-year or above 3,476 1,008 29% 991 244 25% 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.

Massey Villarreal is Chief Executive Officer & President of Precision Task Group, Inc., and Excelencia in Education's Board Member. < Back to Our People Page Massey Villarreal Chief Executive Officer & President Precision Task Group, Inc. Massey Villarreal is Chief Executive Officer & President of Precision Task Group, Inc. He is a respected business leader and a 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.