Examples of Excelencia Finalists
2025
This year, Excelencia in Education recognized 12 programs that demonstrate intentionality and impact in improving Latino, and all, student success in higher education. The finalists for the 2025 Examples of Excelencia are increasing access to a quality college education through evidence-based practices such as bridge programs, academic advising and counseling, family engagement through bilingual outreach, and targeted mentoring and coaching designed to help students graduate workforce-ready.
Since 2005, Excelencia has reviewed over 2,500 program submissions, recognized over 400 for their proven impact, and raised and awarded more than $2 million to programs making a positive difference for students across the nation.
ASSOCIATE LEVEL:
General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (GM ASEP) | Cerritos College (CA)
Institution/Organization: Cerritos College
State: California
Issue Area: Academic Program
Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Mentoring
College Access Latinx Initiative (CALI) | Portland Community College (OR)
Institution/Organization: Portland Community College
State: Oregon
Issue Area: Access
Program Focus: College Prep, First Year Support
BACCALAUREATE LEVEL:
Advancing Nutrition Development through Alliance for Education and Leadership (ÁNDALE) Latino Research Training Program | California State University, Long Beach (CA)
Institution/Organization: California State University, Long Beach
State: California
Issue Area: Academic Program
Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Undergraduate Research
Algebra Recitation Program | Aurora University (IL)
Institution/Organization: Aurora University
State: Illinois
Issue Area: Retention
Program Focus: Discipline/Subject, First Year Support
Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/algebra-recitation-program
GRADUATE LEVEL:
Crossing Latinidades Humanities Research Initiative | University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
Institution/Organization: University of Illinois Chicago
State: Illinois
Issue Area: Retention
Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Other, Doctoral Training and Professionalization
LAWtina | University of Arizona (AZ)
Institution/Organization: University of Arizona, College of Law
State: Arizona
Issue Area: Access
Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Mentoring
Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/lawtina
The Bridge-to-Math-Doctorate Program | University of Texas, Arlington (TX)
Institution/Organization: University of Texas, Arlington
State: Texas
Issue Area: Academic Program
Program Focus: Mentoring, Scholarship
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (CBO) LEVEL:
Avanza RGV: Accelerating Latino Prosperity Through Education & Career Pathways | Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) (TX)
Institution/Organization: Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA)
State: Texas
Issue Area: Support Services
Program Focus: Adult Learners, Career/Workforce
Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/avanza-rgv
CREAR Futuros | Hispanic Federation (NY)
Institution/Organization: Hispanic Federation
State: New York
Issue Area: Retention
Program Focus: First Year Support, Mentoring
Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/crear-futuros
College Success Program | Latino Education Advancement Foundation (CA)
Institution/Organization: Latino Education Advancement Foundation
State: California
Issue Area: Support Services
Program Focus: Family Engagement, First Year Support
Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/college-success-program-leaf
Signature Family Engagement Program (SFEP) | Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) (CA)
Institution/Organization: Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)
State: California
Issue Area: Academic Program
Program Focus: College Prep, Family Engagement
Hermanitas & College Success Programs | MANA de San Diego (CA)
Institution/Organization: MANA de San Diego
State: California
Issue Area: Support Services
Program Focus: Career/Workforce, Mentoring