Fresno State’s Commitment to Latina/o Academic Success & Excellence (CLASE) program was recognized by Excelencia in Education as one of the top programs in the United States for increasing academic opportunities and achievement for Latino students.

Elected officials and higher education leaders from across the country gathered Oct. 2 at Celebracion de Excelencia at the Liaison Capitol Hill hotel in Washington, D.C., to honor the CLASE program and other finalists selected from 165 nominees.

Fresno State is part of the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program, a designation by the U.S. Department of Education awarded to colleges and universities with a student population that is at least 25 percent Hispanic.

“We are proud to be recognized nationally for our efforts to improve Latino student achievement,” said Adrian Ramirez, Title V CLASE project director at Fresno State. “I am proud of our diligent staff who collaborate with faculty and staff to implement proven academic initiatives and student support services. It’s their efforts that have directly impacted Latino students at Fresno State.”

This is the eighth annual release of Excelencia in Education, the only national initiative to systematically identify and promote evidence-based programs that improve Latino success in college. The 2013 edition of “What Works for Latino Student Success in Higher Education” features each of the 22 finalists and evidence of their success.

“As America’s fastest growing minority, Latinos are a true asset for our country, and their educational success will be critical for the future economic success of all Americans,” said Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (Ariz.), chairman of the Education and Labor Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. “By identifying and sharing these examples of how we can improve college success for Latinos, Excelencia in Education is helping ensure the future not only for the Latino community, but for the whole country.”

For more information, contact Ramirez at 559.278.1612 or adrianr@csufresno.edu.

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