Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent in Health

For 20 years, Excelencia in Education has served its mission to accelerate Latino student success in higher education in order to address the country’s need for a highly educated workforce and civic leadership. Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent in Health represents the latest extension of Excelencia’s hallmark work of bringing national attention to higher education institutions and practices advancing Latino talent, strengthening our economy, and ensuring America’s future.

Healthcare occupations are projected to increase over the next decade. As the demand for healthcare professionals increases, Latinos are increasing their representation in healthcare positions. Despite their increased representation, Latinos are more likely to be in healthcare support occupations rather than in healthcare management or professional occupation that offer higher salaries.

This brief presents Excelencia’s roadmap for both employers and institutions to take action to ensure America’s future by advancing Latino talent in health.

The top institutions awarding credentials to Latinos at each level in health are:

• NUC University in Puerto Rico (Certificate and Associate)
• Western Governors University in Utah (Baccalaureate)
• Miami Regional University in Florida (Master’s)
• Rutgers University-New Brunswick in New Jersey (Doctorate)
• Nova Southeastern University in Florida (First Professional)

Strategies for institutions and employers to link Latino graduates to the workforce include:

1. Invest in high-wage, high-demand career pathways by developing stackable credentials in collaboration with employers and funding short-term career programs.
2. Provide transition services between completion and employment or graduate school, including financial and mental health support.
3. Connect the Latino talent pipeline to employers by recruiting graduates for internal employment opportunities and leveraging partnerships with employers.

Suggested Citation: Santiago, D., Labandera, E., Arroyo, C., & Nour, S.R. (February 2024). Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent in Health. Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education.