For 20 years, Excelencia in Education has identified and promoted evidence-based practices increasing Latino student success. Since 2005 Excelencia has received over 2,000 program submissions for Examples of Excelencia, recognized over 400 programs for their impact, and raised and awarded over $2 million in funds to programs making a positive difference for Latino students across the country. Programs at the associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organization levels are recognized for their intentional and culturally relevant asset-based efforts.

Excelencia’s policy agenda advocates for accelerating Latino student success to close gaps in degree attainment based on Excelencia’s most recent research and analysis of Latinos in higher education. Four policy issues were continually raised among leading institutions committed to supporting Latino student success: 1) affordability, 2) institutional capacity, 3) retention and transfer, and 4) workforce preparation.

Excelencia’s analysis has made clear that college is not affordable for many Latino students. These students often adjust their attendance patterns to leverage financial aid insufficient to their needs. Additionally, recent economic challenges have disproportionately impacted Latinos’ incomes, making it harder to afford a postsecondary education.

Institutions enrolling Latino students are critical to Excelencia in Education’s mission of accelerating Latino student success, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). HSIs disproportionately educate the majority of Latino students across the nation–while only 20 percent of higher education institutions are HSIs, they enroll 63 percent of all Latino undergraduates.

Latino students represent a post-traditional profile, as do the majority of college students. Excelencia in Education’s research has found that many Latinos often transfer institutions, attend part-time, and remain enrolled well after beginning their postsecondary education.