Examples of Excelencia
Examples of Excelencia is the only national, data-driven effort to identify, aggregate, and promote evidence-based practices increasing Latino, and all, student success in higher education. These programs exemplify what is possible when leaders and practitioners intentionally serve students on their journey to and through college.
Since 2005, Excelencia has received over 2,500 program submissions, recognized over 400 programs for their impact, and raised and awarded over $2.2 million to programs making a positive difference for students across the country.
Programs That Work for Latino, And All, Students in Higher Education
Click here to download the 2025 Examples of Excelencia program profiles.
Looking to connect with evidence-based programs recognized by Excelencia?
Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll provide you with a curated list of programs making an impact on student success based on the state, academic level, or issue area of your interest. Contact us.
2025 Examples of Excelencia Announced
After a rigorous review process, four programs are recognized as national exemplars of evidence-based practices that improve student success in higher education. Learn about the 2025 Examples:
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General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (GM ASEP), Cerritos College - Norwalk, CA (Associate Level)
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ÁNDALE Latino Research Training Program, California State University, Long Beach - Long Beach, CA (Baccalaureate Level)
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Crossing Latinidades Humanities Research Initiative, University of Illinois Chicago - Chicago, IL (Graduate Level)
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Avanza RGV, Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) - Mercedes, TX (CBO Level)
Expand Your Knowledge about Examples of Excelencia
What works to improve the success of Latino, and all, students in higher education?
Examples of Excelencia is the only national data-driven effort to recognize programs at the associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organization levels with evidence of effectiveness in accelerating Latino student success, amongst all students.
How can evidence-based programs increase student success?
Excelencia seeks to broaden the scope of knowledge surrounding effective practices for Latino, and all, students and bring attention to the noteworthy work that may be overlooked by traditional best-practices models. Evidence-based practices use data and storytelling to show student success in ways unique to each program— demonstrating what intentionally serving Latino, and all, students looks like at institutions and community-based organizations across the country.
How can I find programs having a positive impact on student success?
Explore Advancing What Works to Intentionally Serve Latino Students: Opportunities for Action - 2024, a compilation of 35 programs recognized through Examples of Excelencia that emphasize cultural responsiveness and take asset-based approaches to intentionally SERVE Latinos and other post-traditional students across five key areas.
Looking for more evidence-based programs? We can help! Contact us by email or complete this short form to connect with us.
How does Excelencia find programs intentionally SERVING Latino, and all, students?
Annually Excelencia seeks out programs for Examples of Excelencia through a rigorous review of profile submissions that look at intentionality and positive impact in serving Latino, and all, students in higher education. The process launches with a national call for nominations and culminates in a public celebration of recognized programs at Celebración de Excelencia. To learn more about the process, visit our Examples of Excelencia submission portal.
How do I get started with Examples of Excelencia?
Ready to share your program’s story with a national audience for the 2026 Examples of Excelencia? Reach out to the Institutional Practices team today to learn more about capacity-building opportunities for practitioners.