Star Rivera-Lacey is Superintendent/President of Palomar Community College District and a President for Latino Student Success. < Back to P4LSS Main Page Palomar Community College District Star Rivera-Lacey Superintendent/President Institution website: https://www.palomar.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.palomar.edu/presidentsoffice/ Star Rivera-Lacey is Superintendent/President of Palomar Community College District and a President for Latino Student Success.

Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr. is President of Angelo State University and a President for Latino Student Success. < Back to P4LSS Main Page Angelo State University Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr. President Institution website: https://www.angelo.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.angelo.edu/live/news/18017-ronnie-hawkins-officially-appointed-angelo-s Ronnie D. Hawkins, Jr. is President of Angelo State University and a President for Latino Student Success. Seal of Excelencia Certified Institution: 2023-2026 Angelo State University (ASU) is located in the middle of Texas and serves over 9,000 students, of whom 37% are Latino. Since becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2009, Angelo State has worked on becoming Hispanic SERVING through a multipronged approach to remove barriers, increase access, facilitate and enhance the college experience, and promote a culture of belonging.

The Clinical Laboratory Science Program provides an educational experience that prepares clinical laboratory scientists to lead in a multicultural health care system. < Back Clinical Laboratory Science Program Institution: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley State: Texas Academic Level: Baccalaureate Issue Area: Academic Program Program Focus: Health Website: http://www.utrgv.edu/hbs/undergraduate-programs/cls/index.htm Key Personnel: Dr. Daniela Gill Contact Info: daniela.gill01@utrgv.edu | 956.665.2296 Overview Established in 1976, the mission of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program is to provide a quality educational experience, which prepares clinical laboratory scientists for leadership roles in a multicultural health care system. Our goals include: increasing retention rate of students starting the program, increasing number students pursuing master's and doctorate degrees in clinical/medical laboratory science, keeping a pass rate above 90% on the national certification exam and maintaining a career placement rate above 95%. Program Description The Clinical Laboratory Science Program students are predominantly Hispanic, first-generation, and college students. Many are migrants, single parents or recent immigrants with a strong commitment to remain in the area. The program helps students succeed academically by providing orientation, peer mentoring, and faculty mentoring. The support system developed for students includes former students, current seniors, as well as laboratory managers. When students graduate, a White Coat Ceremony is hosted, symbolizing the code of ethics and responsibility students will assume as members of the health care team. Outcome Since 2010, the program has had a first-time pass rate of 94% success rate on the national certification exams. Since the inception of the program, there have been approximately 508 graduates and 418 identified as Hispanic. The December 2015 cohort won 2nd place at the Texas Association for Clinical Laboratory Science Student Bowl competition and had 8 out of 21 (38%) students graduate with honors. For the December 2019 cohort, certification pass rate was 93.1%, job placement rate was 100% and graduation rate (those who complete the second half of the program) was 100%. Return To Growing What Works Database Related Programs in Texas Filter by Issue Area Academic Program Academy for Teacher Excellence (ATE) Academic Program Ascender Program Academic Program Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership (BASOL) Academic Program Brownsville Early College High School (BECHS) Academic Program Certificate of Biliteracy Academic Program Clinical Laboratory Science Program Academic Program Cooperative Doctoral Program in Pharmacy (CDPP) Academic Program Department of Mathematics Academic Program Show More

Marie Lynn Miranda is Chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago and a President for Latino Student Success.  < Back to P4LSS Main Page University of Illinois Chicago Marie Lynn Miranda Chancellor Institution website: https://www.uic.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.uic.edu/about/leadership/ Marie Lynn Miranda is Chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago and a President for Latino Student Success. Seal of Excelencia Recertified Institution: 2023-2026 University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is a Hispanic serving research university that serves nearly 22,000 undergraduate students, 36% of whom are Latino. From 2015-2023, Latino students comprised over two-thirds (68%) of the institution’s enrollment growth. UIC enrolls and graduates the largest number of Latino students in Illinois.

Julie Philley is President of The University of Texas at Tyler and a President for Latino Student Success. < Back to P4LSS Main Page The University of Texas at Tyler Julie Philley President Institution website: https://www.uttyler.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.uttyler.edu/about/president/index2.php Julie Philley is President of The University of Texas at Tyler and a President for Latino Student Success.

Larissa Littleton-Steib is Chancellor of Delgado Community College and a President for Latino Student Success. < Back to P4LSS Main Page Delgado Community College Larissa Littleton-Steib Chancellor Institution website: https://www.dcc.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.dcc.edu/news/steib-arrives.aspx Larissa Littleton-Steib is Chancellor of Delgado Community College and a President for Latino Student Success.

Frank H. Wu is President of CUNY Queens College and a President for Latino Student Success. < Back to P4LSS Main Page CUNY Queens College Frank H. Wu President Institution website: https://www.qc.cuny.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.qc.cuny.edu/po/ Frank H. Wu is President of CUNY Queens College and a President for Latino Student Success.

Alejandra Magaña Gamero serves as Senior Institutional Engagement Manager of Excelencia in Education. Alejandra supports the advancement of institutional transformation to intentionally serve Latino students by engaging with institutions and their leaders to connect them to Excelencia’s programs, services, resources and research. < Back to Our People Page Alejandra Magaña Gamero Senior Institutional Engagement Manager Excelencia in Education Email: agamero@edexcelencia.org Current Position: Alejandra supports the advancement of institutional transformation to intentionally serve Latino students by engaging with institutions and their leaders to connect them to Excelencia’s programs, services, resources and research. Alejandra supports the network of affiliates via innovative engagement and outreach strategies and by ensuring that affiliates and their institutions receive support to advance their efforts. Past Experiences: Alejandra is a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and first generation college student, born and raised in sunny Santa Monica, California. She brings a wide and unique range of experiences working in higher education across different areas; counseling, teaching, research, and financial literacy. Prior to joining Exelencia Alejandra served as a teaching assistant, financial wellness consultant, research associate, and counselor. Most recently, Alejandra co-founded Latinas Talk Dinero, a bilingual and culturally relevant financial literacy organization dedicated to making dinero conversations more accessible. Moreover, since 2015 Alejandra is a committed volunteer for the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing and building the leadership potential of California’s youth via college, culture, and career support. Alejandra holds a B.S in Psychology and Ethnic Studies from Santa Clara University, an M.A in Education from UCLA, and a PhD in Education at the University of California, Los Angeles. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? I decided to join Excelencia to impact Latino student success at the national level. Though important, my previous experiences have only centered on local institutional impact. Excelencia provides the opportunity to directly work with institutions and diverse stakeholders across the United States and more importantly allows me to provide insight on how we can support institutions in their efforts to advance Latino student success. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? Working at Excelencia has been great! From day one, everyone was extremely welcoming and willing to answer any questions. My team is always ready to support each other and approaches everyday with the utmost commitment to the work.

Cassandra Arroyo serves as a Research Analyst of Excelencia in Education. Cassandra informs Excelencia’s portfolio of policy and practice by conducting research using a Latino lens. < Back to Our People Page Cassandra Arroyo Research Analyst Excelencia in Education Email: carroyo@edexcelencia.org Current Position: As a Research Analyst, Cassandra informs Excelencia’s portfolio of policy and practice by conducting research using a Latino lens. Cassandra collaborates on data collection, analysis, and dissemination for research projects to inform institutions and decision makers on ways to intentionally serve Latino students and compel action. Past Experiences: Casandra joins Excelencia from a wide range of experiences across higher education. Most recently, she worked as an intern at Lumina Foundation where she constructed an internal policy memo to further include Puerto Rico’s postsecondary system in Lumina’s policy agenda. Cassandra received her B.A. from UCLA in Economics and her M.A. from the University of Michigan in Higher Education. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the Center for Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan. Why are you bringing your talent to Excelencia ? I decided to join Excelencia because I was inspired by their commitment to serving Latino students and their intentionality in including Puerto Rico across all portfolios. As a researcher, I am a firm believer that data and research are forms of storytelling that have the power to uplift and recenter the lived experiences of our communities in policy and practice. Excelencia embodies these same beliefs and pushes others to do the same. How would you describe working at Excelencia ? When I think of Excelencia I think of the words committed and evolving. Everyone on the team believes in Excelencia’s mission and are committed to the work that needs to be done to advance that mission. This means that the work is always evolving to fit the needs of our Latino communities. I am honored to be able to work and learn beside my colleagues, my work familia.

The Latino Initiative at Utah Valley University was established in 2007 to provide access and equitable opportunities for Latino students to enroll and graduate. < Back Latino Initiative Institution: Utah Valley University State: Utah Academic Level: Baccalaureate Issue Area: Access Program Focus: Parental/Family Engagement, Summer Bridge Website: https://www.uvu.edu/multicultural/latino/ Key Personnel: Elizabeth Nield Contact Info: latinos@uvu.edu Overview The Latino Initiative at Utah Valley University was established in 2007 to provide access and equitable opportunities for Latino students to enroll and graduate with a college degree. Their goal is to close the achievement gap in Utah by engaging students, parents, educators, and community leaders in dialogues, programs, resources, and services to provide college access and graduation opportunities for Latina/o youth and their families. Additionally, they work towards increasing the number of Latina/o students who enroll in and complete their college education and create and foster K-16 and community partnerships to increase academic opportunities for Latina/o students. Program Description The Latino Initiative started in 2007 to fulfill an institutional need to provide access and equitable opportunities to increase the number of Latino students who graduate from Utah Valley University. They have established strong K-16 and community partnerships that have allowed them to work with thousands of students and their families. They provide 14-20 Latino parent open houses in a year, free summer bridge programs for high students where over 850 students have received 5-6 college credits, Latino student conferences, and events where the experiences of Latino students are validated. Their practices include advocating for services, resources, and Latino student leadership participation. They advocate and influence institutional practices to lower barriers for all Latina/o students, particularly those who are low income, first-generation, and undocumented. Also, through their K-12 collaboration, they have been able to impact many of the school cultures on Latino parental engagement and Latino student academic excellence. One of those examples is the Rising Wolverine award, where they recognize over 112 Latino middle school students during their annual Latin American Celebration dinner, where they host 1,100 students, parents, community members, leaders, faculty, and staff. Outcome UVU has had the largest Latino student population as a four-year higher education institution since 2008. In 2019, the UVU Latino enrollment was 4,911 students which accounted for 12% of student population. In 2019, the UVU Latino graduation headcount was 609 students. The Latino Initiative reaches out to approximately 6,000 - 7,000 Latino students and their parents per year. Since inception, the Latino Initiative has increased Latino student enrollment by 361% and Latino graduation headcount by 425%. Return To Growing What Works Database Related Programs in Utah Filter by Issue Area Access Latino Initiative Access

Jennifer Coyle is President of Pacific University and a President for Latino Student Success. < Back to P4LSS Main Page Pacific University Jennifer Coyle President Institution website: https://www.pacificu.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.pacificu.edu/about/directory/presidents-office/about-president-coyle Jennifer Coyle is President of Pacific University and a President for Latino Student Success.

Salvador Hector Ochoa is President of Texas A & M University-San Antonio and a President for Latino Student Success. < Back to P4LSS Main Page Texas A&M University-San Antonio Salvador Hector Ochoa President Institution website: https://www.tamusa.edu/ Bio Page: https://www.tamusa.edu/about-us/office-of-the-president/about-the-president/index.html Salvador Hector Ochoa is President of Texas A & M University-San Antonio and a President for Latino Student Success.