Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform education policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia is building a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s need for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leadership.
May 2021
Dear Colleagues,
Congratulations on completing another academic year while navigating with your community through this challenging time. As I write this, I am preparing for my daughter’s high school graduation as she joins the ranks of our nation’s college students this fall. There is powerful convergence between our professional commitments, the efforts of higher education and the wonder and hope that all parents and families have for their children to find their place and be served well by the institutions where they enroll.
In many ways, this is the graduation edition of this newsletter and Excelencia is pleased to share how we will raise awareness about your institutions and graduates while continuing to build national momentum for Latino student success in higher education.
Below are the simple steps to include photos of your Latino graduates in our annual LatinoGrads2021 campaign. In the same spirit, we are pleased to introduce a new way for your staff and students to celebrate their achievements through “I Am Latino Student Success” merchandise. Both campaigns begin this week and will conclude on June 25th.
As we make summer plans, Excelencia is focused on preparing for an active fall that includes growing the Presidents for Latino Student Success network, recognizing the latest group of evidence-based practices working for Latino students, and announcing the third cohort of institutions to earn the Seal of Excelencia. The 2021 Seal-certified institutions will join the current 14 certified colleges and universities.
Please mark your calendars for October 28 and 29, 2021 and watch for the details about our special events in Washington, DC and virtually, as Excelencia continues to lead the national effort to transform higher education to intentionally serve Latino students while serving all their students.
We look forward to our ongoing work together to serve Latino students and ensure America’s future.
Hasta la próxima,
Sarita
Celebrating Your Latino Graduates
Each year Excelencia in Education celebrates our shared commitment to Latino student success by honoring your Latino college graduates. We all need to celebrate the accomplishments of this special cohort of students that have persevered to reach this important milestone. We invite you and your institution to participate so we may bring national attention to your students and institution.
Simply have your staff share with us select photos of your institution’s commencement and your newest alumni. Excelencia will include the photos in our social media and digital platforms to acknowledge your institution and celebrate your graduates’ achievements. Photos may be uploaded by June 1, 2021 using this link: 2021LatinoGrads
“I Am Latino Student Success”
Excelencia is pleased to introduce a new way for your staff and students to celebrate Latino student success. For a limited time, we are piloting a new way to bring attention to the efforts of graduates by offering a series of “I Am Latino Student Success” merchandise. Consider joining us to show that your community celebrates in transforming higher education to intentionally SERVE Latino students.
Learn more at http://bit.ly/Excelencia-LatinoGrads
We also welcome receiving photos from your campus community with students and staff wearing the t-shirt and your support spreading the word on social media by tagging @EdExcelencia (Facebook and Twitter) and #LatinoStudentSuccess. Merchandise will be available through June 25.
Excelencia’s Network Continues to Grow
Each week more college and university leaders connect with Excelencia to enroll in Presidents for Latino Student Success. They commit to making their institutions learning environments where Latino students, and all their students, thrive.
Please meet these leaders who are now part of the network:
Margaret H. Venable, President
Dalton State College, GA
“It has become increasingly important to serve our Hispanic students and our future leaders. We are excited to develop ourselves to be a better Hispanic SERVING institution.”
Kate Smith, Interim President
Rio Salado College, AZ
“This work brings a level of accountability and intentionality for our institution. The resources provided and connections with other institutions will help us with better serving our Latinx students.”
Kim Wilcox, Chancellor
University of California, Riverside, CA
“Glad to have this conversation with Excelencia about scale. We have got to start moving the needle on things that will bring change for hundreds of thousands of students”.
Working together we can accelerate and support Latino students to access, thrive, and complete their degrees to meet their goals. Accomplishing this will bring their energies and talents to the workforce and civic leadership as our country recovers.
Our Contact Information
Excelencia in Education
1156 15 St NW
Suite 1001
Washington, DC 20005
202-785-7350