Research and Policy
Since 2004, Excelencia has been the national leader in developing strategic research guided by the experiences and realities of today's Latino and other post-traditional students to inform action by community and institutional leaders and policy makers that facilitates institutional change.
Excelencia uses a Latino lens to bring to the forefront what we know about Latino student success, what works to improve it, and what decision makers can do.
Excelencia in Education’s Policy Priorities: 2024
Good policy is informed by good practice. Excelencia in Education’s policy priorities are grounded in the strengths and opportunities of the Latino community and evidence-based practices accelerating Latino student success.
Excelencia’s policy agenda advocates for accelerating Latino student success to close gaps in degree attainment based on the current profile 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.
Applying a Latino lens to higher education policy and practice
Excelencia’s community understands and addresses contemporary higher education issues uses a Latino lens. Read the latest perspectives on policies and practices impacting Latino student success from across the Excelencia network.
Research Library
Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement and informing educational policies with a Latino lens. Since the organization’s founding, Excelencia has been the leading information source on Latinos in higher education, making our research and policy priorities available for the public to inform and compel action on Latino enrollment, completion, and workforce nationally.
Find information on Latinos and education pathways, financial aid, institutional practices, student success, workforce, HSI related research, and more.
Refine your search of Excelencia’s research by using the filters on the right.
Latino Adult Learners in Higher Education
June 2017
Latinos are a young and fast growing population in education, but there are also opportunities to address the educational attainment of adults. Two-thirds of Latino adults have earned a high school diploma or less. This factsheet provides a snapshot of Latino adults in higher education.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
June 2017
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees are a key focus for many communities to address workforce needs. Yet less than 10 percent of STEM degrees and certificates awarded annually are to Latinos. To increase Latino representation in STEM jobs, colleges need to recruit, retain, and graduate more Latino STEM students.
California Policy Options to Accelerate Latino Success in Higher Education
October 2016
To be competitive, California's economy, like the rest of the U.S., requires a greater number of well-educated workers than currently exists. Many activities are underway to improve educational preparation and opportunity for Californians. However, without concerted statewide focus to leverage existing efforts and introduce new strategic initiatives, accelerating California's higher educational attainment and workforce preparation will remain difficult. This brief offers policy recommendations, based on recent research and discussions, to improve the educational attainment of California's workforce, especially Latinos.
From Capacity to Success: HSIs, Title V, and Latino Students
May 2016
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) enroll over 60 percent of Latino undergraduates and generally enroll a high enrollment of needy students with relatively limited resources. The federal government has funded the development of HSIs since 1995 to expand and enhance their capacity, quality, and the educational achievement of their Latinos and other low-income students. This brief examines the impact of 20 years of investment in HSIs and the link of this support on Latino student success.
From Selectivity to Success: Latinos at Selective Institutions
May 2016
From Selectivity to Success: Latinos at Selective Institutions examines the profile of Latino students at the most selective institutions and reviews the institutional efforts at four universities in California to frame a better understanding of factors that might explicitly and intentionally support Latino student success.