Advancing What Works to Intentionally Serve Latino Students: Opportunities for Action - 2024 Excelencia in Education April 2024 Overview For 20 years, Excelencia has brought attention to noteworthy efforts that inspire and support educators, community leaders, funders, and policymakers to replicate and bring to scale evidence-based practices. Essential to this effort is Examples of Excelencia, the only national data-driven initiative to identify and promote programs that increase Latino student success in higher education. This compilation identifies evidence-based programs at the forefront of improving higher educational achievement for Latinos. These programs emphasize cultural responsiveness and take asset-based approaches to intentionally serving Latinos, as well as other post-traditional students, in five key areas. Engagement to Prepare Students and Families for College Given the degree attainment needed to ensure the country’s economic and civic future, there is an opportunity to expand and enhance the engagement of students and their families in the college going process. Through strategic partnerships, bilingual services, mentoring, and high touch outreach, the following programs ensure students and their families are informed and supported as they navigate opportunities for post-secondary education. Click here to find out which programs have a focus in college preparation. Program Name: Center for Educational Partnerships Institution/Organization: California State University, Fullerton State: California Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/centereducational-partnerships Program Name: College Success Program - Hyde Square Task Force Institution/Organization: Hyde Square Task Force State: Massachusetts Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/college-success-program-0 Program Name: Influence Student Potential and Increase Representation in Education (INSPIRE) Institution/Organization: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science State: Illinois Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/influence-studentpotential-and-increase Program Name: Latino Initiative Institution/Organization: Utah Valley University State: Utah Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/latino-initiative Program Name: Latinx Leadership and College Experience Camp (LLCEC) Institution/Organization: Bluegrass Community and Technical College State: Kentucky Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/latino-leadership-andcollege-experience-camp Program Name: Latino U Scholars Institution/Organization: Latino U College Access (LUCA) State: New York Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/latino-u-scholars Program Name: TuFuturo Institution/Organization: Community Education Coalition State: Indiana Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/tufuturo First-Year Experiences Building Strong Foundations for Success Institutions have the opportunity to be proactive with first-year students to ensure they not only enroll but stay with them. Intentional, well-designed, first-year support programs can have a significant impact on students transitioning to college or university, particularly Latino students. The following programs demonstrate such impact through practices like summer bridge programs, financial support, and academic planning. By providing additional services such as individualized mentoring, career exploration, bilingual services, and leadership development these programs not only support but empower students to navigate the complexities of college life with confidence and a sense of belonging. Click here to find out which programs have a focus in first year programming. Program Name: Connect4Success (C4S) Institution/Organization: Miami Dade College State: Florida Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/connect4success-miami-dade-college Program Name: CSUN Bridge to the Future Scholars Program Institution/Organization: California State University, Northridge State: California Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/csun-bridge-future-scholars-program Program Name: Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program Institution/Organization: County College of Morris State: New Jersey Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/educational-opportunity-fund-eof-program Program Name: Engage. Develop. Grow. Empower. (EDGE)/plEDGE Program Institution/Organization: College of the Desert State: California Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/engage-develop-grow-empower-edgepledge-program Program Name: Gaining Access ‘N Academic Success (GANAS) Institution/Organization: California State University, East Bay State: California Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/gaining-access-n-academic-success-ganas Program Name: Learning Framework Course Institution/Organization: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley State: Texas Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/learning-framework-university-texas-rio-grande Program Name: Personalized Achievement Contract (PACT) Program Institution/Organization: Mercy University State: New York Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/personalized-achievement-contract-pact-program Bilingualism Enhancing Academic and Career Connections Given Spanish is a local and global language the demand for Spanish speakers in multiple professions will continue to be a need. Bilingual Latino students are uniquely positioned to have these needed language skills and the cultural contexts to better understand and serve others in their communities and in their future careers. The programs below leverage community partnerships, bicultural pedagogy, and experiential learning to support student academic and career success. Many of their alumni are becoming leaders and change agents in their professions. Click here to find out which programs have a focus in bilingual programming. Program Name: Ánimo Latinx Counseling Emphasis Institution/Organization: California State University, Fullerton State: California Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/animo-latinx-counseling-emphasis Program Name: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Institution/Organization: Saint Augustine College State: Illinois Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/bachelor-social-work Program Name: English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program Institution/Organization: Reading Area Community College State: Pennsylvania Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/english-academic-purposes-eap-program Program Name: Latinx Leadership Initiative (LLI) Institution/Organization: Boston College, School of Social Work State: Massachusetts Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/latinx-leadership-initiative-lli Program Name: Medical Spanish Minor Institution/Organization: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley State: Texas Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/minor-medical-spanish Program Name: PIONERAS (Professional Improvement through Optimization of Native-language Education and the Realization of Academic/familial Symbiosis) Institution/Organization: Texas Woman’s University State: Texas Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/pioneras-professional-improvement-through Program Name: Supera Spanish Speaking Program (SSP) Institution/Organization: Kean University State: New Jersey Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/supera-spanish-speaking-program Experiences and Partnerships Building Career Pathways The more institutions can provide experiences and partnerships beyond the classroom then the more students can move directly into their career path, and into higher wages. Since most Latino students are working while attending college, these programs are intentional about career connections within their program of study. They use cohort groupings, mentorship, research opportunities, and employer connections to enhance their academic degree programs. Click here to find out which programs have a focus in career/workforce. Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Health Science Institution/Organization: Rush University State: Illinois Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/bachelor-science-health-sciences Program Name: Engineering Program at Wright College Institution/Organization: City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College State: Illinois Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/engineering-program-wright-college Program Name: Higher Education Administration and Leadership (HEAL) Institution/Organization: Adams State University State: Colorado Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/higher-education-administration-and-leadership Program Name: Institute of Interdisciplinary Research (IIR) Institution/Organization: University of Puerto Rico, Cayey State: Puerto Rico Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/ programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/institute-interdisciplinary-research Program Name: M.S. in Environmental Science Institution/Organization: The University of Texas at San Antonio State: Texas Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/ms-environmental-science Program Name: Spanish Community Translation and Interpreting Program Institution/Organization: The University of Texas at Arlington State: Texas Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/spanish-community-translation-and-interpreting Program Name: Wood Technology Program Institution/Organization: Laney College State: California Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/ programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/wood-technology-program Gender-Based Learning Communities to Support Success Gender-based programming has emerged as a transformative approach to address and mitigate the disparities faced by students based on gender, particularly within underrepresented communities. These programs engage parents, provide tutoring, utilize cohort groupings, and build strong mentoring relationships. These programs below build confidence, inspire ambition, and illuminate the possibilities that lie ahead, particularly in fields where they have been historically marginalized. Click here to find out which programs have a focus in Latina/Latino gender-based programming. Program Name: ¡Adelante Latina! Institution/Organization: ¡Adelante Latina! State: Maryland Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/adelante-latina Program Name: Con Mi MADRE Institution/Organization: Con Mi MADRE State: Texas Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/con-mi-madre Program Name: Encuentros Leadership Preparatory Academy Institution/Organization: Encuentros Leadership State: California Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/encuentros-leadership-preparatory-academy Program Name: Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program (HMDP) Institution/Organization: Arizona State University State: Arizona Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/hispanic-mother-daughter-program Program Name: Project Mentoring to Achieve Latino Educational Success (MALES) Institution/Organization: University of Texas, Austin State: Texas Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/project-mentoring-achieve-latino-educational Program Name: Mathematics Intensive Summer Session (MISS) Institution/Organization: California State University, Fullerton State: California Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/mathematics-intensive-summer-session-miss Program Name: Sam Houston Establishing Leadership In and Through Education (SH ELITE) Institution/Organization: Sam Houston State University State: Texas Learn More: https://www.edexcelencia.org/programs-initiatives/growing-what-works-database/sam-houston-establishing-leadership-and-through The Growing What Works (GWW) Database: Connecting You to Our Recognized Programs Programs from the compilation are featured in Excelencia’s Growing What Works (GWW) Database — the only national, searchable database for institutional leaders, funders, policymakers, and others interested in effective programs for Latino students. Visit our GWW Database: EdExcelencia.org/Growing-What-Works “Advancing What Works to Intentionally Serve Latino Students: Opportunities for Action – 2024” benefited from the support and public leadership of 24 colleges and universities that have earned the Seal of Excelencia: Download Resources Advancing What Works to Intentionally Serve Latino Students: Opportunities for Action - 2024
