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. Excelencia's Perspectives < Return to the Research and Policy Page 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. For more insight into Latino student success trends in higher education, visit Excelencia’s Medium page. America’s Economic Future: Latinos and the Institutions that Serve Them By: Lily Cuellarsola, Excelencia in Education Latinos, one of the fastest-growing and youngest U.S. demographics, are uniquely positioned to shape America’s future. This post explores Latinos’ rapid population growth, rising college enrollment, the challenges of the demographic cliff, and strategies to invest in their success to meet workforce needs and secure our nation’s economic future. Read Now | Jan 8, 2025 · 7 min read Latino Students are Key to Our Nation’s Prosperity By: Lily Cuellarsola & Cassandra Arroyo, Excelencia in Education Increasing Latino degree attainment is key to our nation’s prosperity. Latinos, now making up about one in five Americans, represent the growing majority of college students today and face unique circumstances that institutions must address to support their success. This analysis explores the Latino student profile, how they pay for college, their degree attainment, their workforce participation, and the institutions uniquely positioned to serve them. Read Now | Jun 5, 2024 · 8 min read Funding America’s Future: Larger Endowments Could Help HSIs Further Accelerate Latino Student Success By: Sami R. Nour, Excelencia in Education Endowments are important resources that provide institutions with opportunities to invest in students and programs. Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are less likely to have an endowment compared to other colleges and universities. For HSIs that do have an endowment, their funds tend to be smaller than those at other institutions. Our new analysis explores endowments at HSIs and what it means for investing in students. Read Now | Jun 13, 2023 · 9 min read The number of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) is increasing again. By: Deborah Santiago, Emily Labandera, and Sami R. Nour, Excelencia in Education This year, 571 colleges and universities meet the enrollment definition of a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) — up from 559 last year, when the number decreased for the first time in two decades due to enrollment declines, institutional closings, and consolidation brought on by the pandemic. Our new analysis explores how and why the number of HSIs is growing again. Read Now | Mar 30, 2023 · 6 min read Beyond an HSI Designation: Exploring Strategic Practices for Grant Participation By: Cassandra Arroyo and Deborah Santiago, Excelencia in Education The competitive nature of HSI federal funding has increased the importance for HSIs to plan effectively for grant competitions and utilize funds sustainably. This analysis explores strategic practices from six HSIs for participating in Title V grant competitions and moving beyond an HSI designation to intentionally serve Latino and other low-income students. Read Now | Mar 23, 2023 · 6 min read Resilience: Surviving, Stabilizing, and Rebuilding in Times of Trouble By: Rafael Ramírez Rivera, Acting President Inter American University of Puerto Rico Rafael Ramírez Rivera, Acting President of Inter American University of Puerto Rico, shares his definition of institutional resilience and lessons that U.S. mainland institutions can learn from Puerto Rican universities when it comes to surviving, stabilizing, and rebuilding in times of trouble in the wake of Hurricanes Irma, Maria, and Fiona, an unprecedented series of earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Read Now | Mar 21, 2023 · 6 min read Institutional Resilience in Puerto Rico By: Sami R. Nour, Deborah Santiago, Emily Labandera, and Cassandra Arroyo, Excelencia in Education This new analysis examines the island’s universities as accelerators of economic mobility for Latino students and their communities, demonstrating how Puerto Rican institutions offer a better return on investment in higher education for low-income students than can be achieved almost anywhere else in the U.S. Read Now | Mar 2, 2023 · 9 min read

Federal financial aid is key to higher education access and success for many students, including most Latinos, but current realities challenge its effectiveness. < Back Using a Latino Lens to Reimagine Aid Design and Delivery Deborah A. Santiago March 2013 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication Executive Summary SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Federal financial aid is critical to student access and success in postsecondary education for many students, including most Latinos. However, current realities are challenging the effectiveness of federal financial aid policy today. This white paper uses a Latino lens to articulate challenges and opportunities for financial aid policy using both public data and input by students, institutional partners, and other stakeholders. The Latino lens is not intended to exclude consideration of other groups. Instead it offers a contemporary lens to more accurately see America’s student population and provides a fresh perspective on financial aid policy using the profile of this young and growing population as the baseline, rather than the footnote, to define the post-traditional student. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Excelencia partnered with CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning) to examine Latino students' experience with prior learning assessment (PLA). < Back Random Access: The Latino Student Experience with Prior Learning Assessment Council for Adult and Experimental Learning; Excelencia in Education October 2014 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview Many Latinos come to higher education as adults aged 25 or older. A degree completion strategy that is particularly suited to adult students in higher education is prior learning assessment (PLA). PLA This report presents the findings from a new study by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), in partnership with Excelencia in Education, which examines the experience of Latino students with PLA at 10 postsecondary institutions in the U.S. between 2010 and 2013. To meet current and future labor market needs in the U.S., government leaders, philanthropic organizations, and higher education institutions have turned their attention to helping more people—both adults and traditional-aged college students—access education and succeed in completing college degrees. Through analysis of more than 32,000 student academic records, along with interviews with Latino students and PLA administrators, the study examines how Latino students engage with PLA in terms of methods used, number of credits earned, and areas of study for which credits are earned. It also investigates the role that institutions play in encouraging Latino students to take advantage of PLA. However, for PLA to be an effective strategy to help with Latino degree completion, Latino students must know about it and use it. The study’s findings suggest specific strategies for more effective outreach on PLA to Latino students, and other important target populations. This report was made possible with support from TG. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Excelencia's 2024 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education compendium details programs intentionally supporting Latino and other post-traditional students. < Back 2024 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education Excelencia in Education September 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview 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. Our 2024 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education compendium recognizes the critical work that this year’s four Examples of Excelencia , eighteen finalists , and twelve Programs to Watch are doing across the nation. These programs demonstrate an intentional and aligned approach in supporting Latino and other post-traditional students academically, financially, and socially as they make their way to and through college. Excelencia in Education invites you to learn more about the recognized programs that best exemplify the spirit of Examples of Excelencia through the 2024 What Works for Latino Students in Higher Education. 2024 Examples of Excelencia ASSOCIATE LEVEL: English for Academic Purposes | Reading Area Community College (PA) BACCALAUREATE LEVEL: The College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) | Washington State University (WA) GRADUATE LEVEL: Project upGRADS | California State University, Fullerton (CA) COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION LEVEL: Career Pathways: Empowering Students to Succeed | The Immokalee Foundation, Inc. (FL) Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This brief identifies top institutions graduating and preparing Latinos for education careers, highlighting evidence-based practices increasing their success. < Back Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent in Education Excelencia in Education March 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview 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 Education 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. Latinos are shaping the nation’s population–inside and outside of the classroom. Occupations in education disciplines are projected to increase in the next decade. While Latinos have increased their representation in education related occupations, they are more likely to be in education occupations with lower salaries. This brief is Excelencia’s roadmap for both employers and institutions to take action to ensure America’s future by advancing Latino talent in education. The top institutions awarding credentials to Latinos at each level in education are: Miami Regional University in Florida (Certificate) South Texas College in Texas (Associate) Florida International University in Florida (Baccalaureate) Grand Canyon University in Arizona (Master’s) Nova Southeastern University in Florida (Doctorate) Strategies for institutions and employers to link Latino graduates to the workforce include: Invest in high-wage, high-demand career pathways by developing stackable credentials in collaboration with employers and funding short-term career programs. Provide transition services between completion and employment or graduate school, including financial and mental health support. 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 Education . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Excelencia's brief examines characteristics of institutions that serve Latinos as well as ways to measure Latino student success and institutional effectiveness. < Back Latino Student Success at Hispanic Serving Institutions: Findings from a Demonstration Project Deborah A. Santiago; Sarita E. Brown; Sally J. Andrade January 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview This seminal brief, originally released in 2004, started shaping Excelencia in Education’s national agenda to accelerate Latino student success in higher education. It examined the institutional leadership and practices that promote Latino student success at six HSIs in California, Texas, and New York. As you read this brief, consider these three original framing components to today’s evolving college and university efforts to intentionally serve our students: Hispanic “serving” institutions must actively promote Latino students’ success , not just enroll Hispanic students. Latino student success includes more than degree completion . Student engagement in campus activities, continuous enrollment, employment beyond graduation, and enrollment in graduate education are also part of student success. Multiple measures of institutional effectiveness and incentives for educating Latino students are critical as HSIs lead and develop innovative practices that promote student success. Building on the insights from this project — followed by years of working with colleges and universities active in our national network of Presidents for Latino Student Success and continually identifying evidence-based practices that advance Latino students — led us to design the Seal of Excelencia . Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This brief identifies the top institutions graduating and preparing Latinos to enter the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). < Back Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Excelencia in Education March 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview 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 STEM 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. Latinos are the nation’s fastest growing population and are shaping the nation’s workforce. By 2031, Latinos will account for 91 percent of new workers. Although more Latinos are entering the STEM workforce, they continue to be underrepresented in STEM occupations. In 2021, Latinos represented 18 percent of the nation’s workforce yet represented less than 10 percent of all STEM occupations–presenting an opportunity to strengthen the Latino STEM talent pipeline. This brief presents Excelencia’s roadmap for both employers and institutions to take action to ensure America’s future by advancing Latino talent. The top institutions awarding credentials to Latinos at each level in STEM are: Dallas College in Texas (Certificate) South Texas College in Texas (Associate) Florida International University in Florida (Baccalaureate and Master’s) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in Michigan (Doctorate) Strategies for institutions and employers to link Latino graduates to the workforce include: Invest in high-wage, high-demand career pathways by developing stackable credentials in collaboration with employers and funding short-term career programs. Provide transition services between completion and employment or graduate school, including financial and mental health support. 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 STEM . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This brief identifies top institutions graduating and preparing Latinos for a global economy, providing a roadmap for employers to meet U.S. workforce needs. < Back Finding Your Workforce: Latino Talent for a Global Economy Excelencia in Education February 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview 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 for a Global Economy" 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. Latinos have the highest labor force participation, with 66 percent of those 16 years and older in the labor force, and demonstrates they will account for 91 percent of new workers — the largest number of any group — and one in five workers overall by 2031. However, Latinos are the most likely to be employed in manual labor occupations and earn the lowest salary compared to other groups. This brief presents Excelencia’s roadmap for both employers and institutions to take action to ensure America’s future by advancing Latino talent. The top institutions awarding credentials at each level are: NUC University in Puerto Rico (Certificate) Miami Dade College in Florida (Associate) Florida International University in Florida (Baccalaureate and Master’s) Nova Southeastern University in Florida (First Professional and Doctorate) Strategies for institutions and employers to link Latino graduates to the workforce include: Invest in high-wage, high-demand career pathways by developing stackable credentials in collaboration with employers and funding short-term career programs. Provide transition services between completion and employment or graduate school, including financial and mental health support. 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 for a Global Economy. Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. This brief initiates a series that highlights the top institutions graduating Latinos in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), health, and education, accompanied by examples of institutional efforts to improve Latinos’ college completion linked to these sectors. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

This report highlights the borrowing patterns of students who choose to enroll in college and provides suggestions about why certain students may not borrow. < Back Student Aversion to Borrowing: Who Borrows and Who Doesn't Deborah A. Santiago ; Alisa Cunningham November 2008 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication, Fact Sheet Fact Sheet SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview This report highlights the borrowing patterns of students who choose to enroll in college and provides suggestions about why certain students may not borrow, even when borrowing seems to be a logical choice. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

Summary and list of the 252 institutions that meet the enrollment definition of a Hispanic-Serving Institution and offer graduate programs (gHSIs) in 2022-23. < Back Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2022-23 Excelencia in Education March 2024 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview For 20 years, since the organization’s founding, Excelencia in Education has released its annual analysis on a critical group of institutions enrolling and graduating Latino students—Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The number of HSIs has increased from 571 to 600 this past year. In 2022-23, HSIs are located in 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These institutions represent 20% of all colleges and universities yet enroll 63% of Latino undergraduates. See additional data related to 2022-23 HSIs: Fact Sheet Emerging HSIs (eHSIs) List with Graduate Programs (gHSIs) List Infographic Interactive Dashboard Interactive StoryMaps Suggested Citation: Excelencia in Education. (2024). Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): 2022-23 . Washington, D.C.: Excelencia in Education. Learn more about how Excelencia creates the list of HSIs. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce

< Back to News Page Over 1,000 Colleges and Universities are Hispanic-Serving Institutions or on the Cusp of Becoming HSIs Mar 20, 2024 Contact: Media@EdExcelencia.org DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE HSls Represent 20% of Colleges Yet Enroll Over 60% of All Latino Undergraduates WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 20, 2024) – Excelencia in Education has calculated lists of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) for more than 20 years because these institutions disproportionately enroll and graduate Latino students — one of the fastest growing populations in the country. Today, Excelencia announces the release of new lists and a factbook of HSls, which show 600 colleges and universities met the enrollment definition of an HSI and 412 more came close to doing so (Emerging HSIs). Combined, over 1,000 institutions are HSIs or on the cusp of becoming HSIs. The number of HSIs increased in 2022-23. HSls are defined in federal legislation as having 25% or more undergraduate Hispanic student full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment. Given this definition, the number of HSIs changes every year. “Sharing an annual list of HSIs broadly informs the field of where Hispanics are enrolling,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia . “ Excelencia takes this a step further by recognizing institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Hispanic students through the Seal of Excelencia .” This year, Excelencia in Education marks 20 years of service to our mission — accelerating Latino student success in higher education. We believe institutions must transform to address structural limits and become learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. To focus on this, Excelencia established the Seal of Excelencia , a national certification for colleges and universities that more intentionally SERVE Latino students. Among 600 HSIs, only 37 have earned the Seal of Excelencia . Key findings from Excelencia’s HSI analysis include: HSls represent 20% of colleges yet enroll over 60% of all Latino undergraduates. Combined, HSIs enrolled 1.4 million Latino FTE undergraduate students. Almost half (46%) of students at HSIs are Latino. Almost 70% of HSls are public and 60% are four-year institutions. HSls have widening reach — they are located in 28 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Just over 40% of the nation’s HSIs (252) offered graduate programs (gHSIs). Beyond HSIs, the number of Emerging HSls (eHSls) — a categorization developed by Excelencia to track colleges approaching the 25% Latino student enrollment threshold — also grew from 401 to 412. eHSIs represented another 13% of all institutions and enrolled 15% of Latino students. Excelencia is the expert source of information conducting analysis of HSIs and has released annual lists of HSIs, eHSIs, and gHSIs since its founding to provide federal agencies, researchers, funders, and others an up-to-date, credible list of institutions that meet the enrollment criteria for HSIs. Access the 2022-23 HSI, eHSI, and gHSI lists: https://www.edexcelencia.org/research-policy/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis About Excelencia in Education In 2024, Excelencia in Education marks 20 years of service to accelerate Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, advancing institutional practices, and collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia has established a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. . For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org

The report examines enrollment and graduation at 8 Texas institutions, highlights programs and strategies serving Latino students, and offers policy recommendations. < Back ALASS: Accelerating Latino Student Success at Texas Border Institutions: Possibilities and Challenges Deborah A. Santiago September 2008 DOWNLOADS/LINKS Publication Executive Summary SHARE RESEARCH LinkedIn Facebook X (Twitter) Copy link Overview The report examines enrollment and graduation trends at eight Texas institutions, highlights promising programs and strategies for serving Latino students, and offers policy recommendations for improving success rates for the state's Latino students. Return to Research Library Related Research by Issue Area - Education Pathways Financial Aid Institutional Practices Student Success Workforce