Programs to Watch
During the annual Examples of Excelencia review, Excelencia recognizes innovative, up-and-coming programs that have already made a positive impact on the success of Latino, and all, students and are growing evidence of effectiveness as Programs to Watch. By bringing attention to these programs, we encourage institutions, practitioners, funders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to follow their continued growth and impact.
Explore our Growing What Works Database for additional evidence-based programs across the country.
2025
This year, Excelencia recognizes two Programs to Watch for their growing, positive impact on student success. The following programs are demonstrating strong promise in increasing positive outcomes for Latino, and all students. Both initiatives create intentional pathways to persistence, degree completion, and career readiness by affirming students’ cultural and linguistic assets, providing wraparound academic and mentoring support, and cultivating a strong sense of belonging. Through leadership development, career preparation, and practices that meet students where they are, these programs are emerging as efforts with the potential to make a sustainable impact on students in higher education.
Excelencia invites you to learn more about the 2025 Programs to Watch by exploring their profiles listed below.
Learn about the 2025 Examples of Excelencia Finalists and their efforts to increase student success.
ASSOCIATE LEVEL:
Dual Language Liberal Arts Transfer Degree Pathway (DL LAT) | North Shore Community College (MA)
Institution/Organization: North Shore Community College
State: Massachusetts
Issue Area: Academic Program
Program Focus: Bilingual/ESL
Year Started: 2022
Website: https://www.northshore.edu/academics/programs/lat/dual-language/index.html
Overview:
The Dual Language Liberal Arts Transfer (DL LAT) Pathway at North Shore Community College provides a rigorous academic experience that fosters bilingual proficiency, cultural competency, and specialized knowledge. Grounded in equity and social justice, the program supports Latino/a students in strengthening their English and Spanish skills while building a solid foundation in their chosen field. Over the last three years, Latino students in Dual Language sections (DL) averaged an 80.7% success rate, compared to 65.9% in non-DL sections.
BACCALAUREATE LEVEL:
Arizona Strategic Success Network | University of Arizona (AZ)
Institution/Organization: University of Arizona
State: Arizona
Issue Area: Retention
Program Focus: Gender Based, Mentoring
Year Started: 2022
Overview:
Arizona Strategic Success Network empowers and inspires the next generation of leaders by providing a supportive and inclusive environment for students to hone their leadership skills, discover their strengths, and make a positive impact in their communities. Key programmatic goals include increasing retention, persistence, and degree completion for men of color. Fall 2024 data show an 85% first-to-second-year retention rate for program participants, compared to 77% for non-participants. Latinx students specifically saw a 9-point increase in second-to-third year retention rates (85% vs. 76%).