Voces y Excelencia: Leadership in Action
By: Excelencia in Education
Introduction
In 2026, institutions of higher education are at the center of national conversations about what economic mobility and prosperity look like for our country. Students seek pathways to prepare them for the workforce that provide economic and social mobility. These students are increasingly completing their degrees outside of what we know as a “traditional” college pathway, and Latino students represent a post-traditional experience. They are more likely to come from low-income backgrounds, often attending college part-time, caring for dependents, working while enrolled, and/or transferring between institutions along their path to degree completion.
Latino students represent the future of America’s workforce. Our past analysis underscores the youth, growth, and attainment rates of this population. As a fast-growing college-going population, Latino students are in a unique position to continue to grow America’s economy. Our nation’s prosperity depends on academic excellence for Latino, and all, students.
Educational excellence for all exists when we keep our post-traditional students, notably our Latino students, at the center of the national discussion. Excelencia remains steadfast in our commitment to serve as the leading and trusted source of information about Latino students in higher education and the institutions serving them so that policymakers can make informed decisions about how to ensure educational opportunities for all students.
Intentionally serving Latino, and all, students at scale depends on knowing and implementing what works to accelerate Latino student success at the institutional, state, and federal levels. To that end, we are launching Voces y Excelencia: Leadership in Action, a new series on our Medium page that will bring you insights and stories from leaders in our national network who are innovating to deliver positive impact for students, their communities, and our country.
Excelencia in Action Network
Excelencia leads a community of practice made up of institutional and program leaders committed to making their campuses learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. Excelencia in Action (E-Action) is a network of more than 200 postsecondary leaders from 28 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico that collaborate with Excelencia in Education to ensure that Latino talent meets opportunity by providing access to quality education. Together, they leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts at the national level. Representing only 6% of colleges and universities, institutions affiliated with the network enroll 34% and graduate 36% of all Latino students in the country. This network also enrolls 18% and graduates 19% of all students nationwide.
Among the more than 200, 48 institutions have earned the Seal of Excelencia — a national certification for colleges and universities going beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students and taking responsibility for providing access to excellence. Seal-certified institutions demonstrate positive momentum among key areas, including higher retention rates, Latino faculty representation, and graduation rates.
Excelencia’s Policy Priorities
Excelencia in Education’s Policy Agenda is grounded in leadership, data, and practice, providing recommendations to accelerate Latino student success, while increasing all student success, to close gaps in degree attainment. Based on continuing discussions with leaders from our E-Action network, the current profile of Latino students in higher education, and evidence-based practices increasing Latino student success, Excelencia’s policy priorities are key to serving Latino, and all, students at scale. Four policy issues were continually raised among leading institutions committed to supporting Latino student success: 1) workforce, 2) institutional capacity, 3) college affordability, and 4) retention and transfer. Focusing on these priorities serves all students and disproportionately benefits Latino students.
Voces Series
Leaders of institutions in the E-Action network that are Seal-certified have demonstrated strategic efforts to transform their institutions to accelerate Latino student success while serving all students. Excelencia is bringing together higher education leaders who are meeting this moment in our new series on Medium, Voces y Excelencia: Leadership in Action. We invite you to hear from them directly as they share stories and perspectives on how investing in workforce, institutional capacity, affordability, and retention and transfer on their campuses ensures a quality education for Latino, and all, students, addressing the needs of America’s workforce.
