Fresno State is one of 25 institutions nationwide partnering with Excelencia in Education — the nation’s premier authority in efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education — to bring new analysis on Latino college completion and enrollment trends across the United States to the public.
The analysis, “Latino College Completion: United States 2023,” is the most comprehensive information available on Latino enrollment and graduation rates, as well as programs proven to work for Latinos at the institutional, national, and state levels. It shows that degree completion gaps between Latinos and White non-Hispanics have grown, and reaffirms that, in order to close these gaps, college completion among Latinos must accelerate so they earn 6.2 million more degrees by 2030.
Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval is part of Excelencia’s national Presidents for Latino Student Success network, comprising institutional leaders who have committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latino students thrive.
“As a university, we recognize the paramount importance of engaging, enrolling and supporting all our students, particularly the growing number of Latino students,” Jiménez-Sandoval said. “Our intentional efforts to educate and empower our current student population will ensure a vibrant driving force of tomorrow’s workforce and society.”
Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia, said, “Excelencia is proud to bring this analysis to the public with support from 25 college, university and system leaders committed to serving Latino students. Especially in this moment of change in higher education and in our society, we remain focused on Latino College Completion and recognize its importance to ensuring America’s future.”
Co-founder and CEO Deborah Santiago, who leads Excelencia’s research and policy agenda, said Excelencia has tracked and shared analysis about Latino students in higher education to inform, catalyze and support institutional change as the Latino student population continues to grow,” said co-founder and.
“Trendsetting college and university leaders recognize the opportunity to increase Latino participation at their institutions and focus on these students completing degree programs, entering the workforce and civic leadership roles.”
Of the thousands of colleges and universities across the country, Excelencia’s Presidents for Latino Student Success network represents 4% of America’s colleges and universities yet, in 2022, enrolled 31% and graduated 33% of all Latinos students. Further, 30 institutions within the network – including Fresno State – have earned the Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating, through data, practice, and leadership, how they intentionally serve Latino students while serving all.
Excelencia professionals and the colleges and universities in the network work to put evidence-based practices, research and strategic analysis of student data to use in supporting and advancing the talents, skills and contributions of Latino students and the institutions.
Through the partnership, Jiménez-Sandoval and the other public leaders continue to collaborate with Excelencia to leverage collective expertise and resources and foster working relationships that amplify current efforts and impact the national level.
