Earlier this year, Miami Dade College joined Excelencia in Education to release a new analysis on Latinos in Higher Education. “Latinos in Higher Education: 2024 Compilation of Fast Facts,” is a series of fact sheets that hold a wealth of information on the profile of Latino students and their journeys to and through college.
Excelencia’s analysis shows that Latinos are more likely to be the first in their family to attend college and to receive the federal Pell Grant than any other group.
However, they are less likely to take out student loans.
Latinos also have the highest labor force participation but are more likely to be represented in occupations with lower salaries.
Institutions enrolling Latinos are predominantly Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), representing 20% of colleges and universities yet educating 63% of all Latinos in the nation.
MDC, one of 24 colleges and universities across the country supporting the release of this study, plays a unique role in Excelencia’s network.
It is one of only 39 institutions to have earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia, a national certification for institutions that go beyond enrollment to serve Latino students intentionally.
These seal-certified institutions, which represent less than 1% of colleges and universities, enroll 15% and graduate 17% of all Latino students.
Texas State University’s STEM Communities Learning Assistant (LA) Program was named a Program to Watch by Excelencia in Education for the 2024 Examples of Excelencia.
The LA Program, founded in 2021, provides support for faculty-student instructional teams to collaboratively redesign and teach gateway STEM courses using active learning strategies that increase success for all students.
Excelencia in Education also recognized several institutions implementing strategies to address achievement gaps among Latino students.
Pima Community College in Arizona earned the Seal of Excelencia for creating a learning environment where Latino students thrive. Pima is one of only 17 colleges and universities to earn the Seal of Excelencia in 2024.
The eight newly certified Seal of Excelencia institutions include California State University, East Bay, California State University, San Bernardino, California State University San Marcos, Cerritos College, Hartnell College, San Francisco State University, and Sul Ross State University.
The nine recertified Seal of Excelencia institutions include California State University, Fresno, California State University, Fullerton, Miami Dade College, San Diego State University, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, University of California, Merced, University of California, Riverside, University of Central Florida, and Wilbur Wright College.
Excelencia in Education recognized Indiana University Northwest’s strategies to address achievement gaps among Latino students.
A national organization focused on accelerating Latino student success in higher education, Excelencia in Education also recognized Richard J. Daley College and Arturo Velasquez Institute’s Community Health Worker Program for evidence-based practices making a positive impact on Latino student success.
2024 marks Excelencia in Education’s 20th year of service to accelerate Latino student success in higher education.
San Diego State University earned a Seal of Excelencia recertification for going beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latinx, students. Excelencia in Education recertified SDSU as a trendsetter in efforts to be a learning environment where Latinx students thrive.
Cal State Fullerton earned a 2024 Seal of Excelencia for ongoing commitment to Latinx student success.
San Francisco State University earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to Latinx students. The seal recognizes SFSU for its leadership in meeting the needs of Latinx students and advancing their talents.
University of California, Riverside is also recertified as a top Latino-serving institution.
University of California, Merced earned a Seal of Excelencia Recertification For Advancing Latino Student Success.
Cal State San Marcos also earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia, a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond.
#pimacommunitycollege has earned the @EdExcelencia prestigious Seal of Excelencia: https://t.co/u57j0r2f4G@pimaccsbdc @suncorridorinc @TucsonChamber @THispanicChmbr @maranachamber @pimaarizona @cityoftucson @ConsulMexTuc @NogalesChamber @nogalesarizona @santacruzaz pic.twitter.com/TTiOYeGhMF
— Pima Community College (@pimatweets) October 1, 2024
SDSU earns Seal of Excelencia recertification for efforts to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education! SDSU is one of only 17 colleges and universities to earn this honor in 2024.
Read more: https://t.co/nJ42Utqlke pic.twitter.com/vRK8X6g8X8
— San Diego State University (@SDSU) October 3, 2024
🎉Cal State Fullerton has been recertified with the 2024 Seal of Excelencia from @EdExcelencia! 🎉We are one of nine institutions to earn recertification after demonstrating how we continually support Latinx student success. 👉Learn more: https://t.co/bidGsmjwkm pic.twitter.com/5aZKDjOxxr
— Cal State Fullerton (@csuf) October 1, 2024
We've earned the prestigious #SealofExcelencia for intentionally serving #Latinx students! @EdExcelencia's national certification, given after passing a rigorous assessment, recognizes us for creating a learning environment where Latinx students thrive. https://t.co/tX1iUPMZ3e pic.twitter.com/0Xpg3pc2Qm
— SF State (@SFSU) October 1, 2024
At #UCR we are familia. ✨ The campus’ fabric is woven by people who act de corazón, whose culture, language & history are deeply rooted in who UCR is. 🐻 Thanks to student Camila Acosta — it’s her voice you hear! 👏 More ➡️ https://t.co/PExRoSSLQS #HispanicHeritageMonth pic.twitter.com/Uwbvf89EVP
— UC Riverside (@UCRiverside) October 14, 2024
UC Merced is being recognized from coast to coast as an institution that “redefines academic excellence," @ChancellorMunoz said.
Read more about the annual State of the University address here 🔗https://t.co/ZryHtMFwNo pic.twitter.com/7JSDJZbbrV
— UC Merced (@ucmerced) October 11, 2024
#DidYouKnow close to half of the CSU’s 450,000 students identify as Hispanic/Latinx?
Three CSU programs—at @ChicoState, @csuf and @csunorthridge—were highlighted by @EdExcelencia for leading efforts to improve #HigherEd achievement for Latinx students.🎓https://t.co/fDGHkvRcMU
— The CSU (@calstate) October 15, 2024
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