By Patrick Gonzales

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JULY 19, 2023 – Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority in efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education, announced today that University of Texas Rio Grande Valley President Guy Bailey has chosen to be a partner 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, up-to-date 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 to close these gaps, college completion among Latinos must accelerate so they earn 6.2 million more degrees by 2030.

(UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

“Excelencia is proud to bring this analysis to the public with support from 25 college, university and system leaders committed to serving Latino students while serving all,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia. “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.”

Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO, leads Excelencia’s research and policy agenda.

“Since our inception 19 years ago, 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,” she said. “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 taking on civic leadership roles.”

UTRGV is among the top institutions nationally:

• It ranks second in graduating Latinos with bachelor’s degrees.
• It ranks third in enrolling Latinos among all colleges and universities in the country.
• In Texas, UTRGV is the number one institution in both Latino enrollment and completion.

“UTRGV remains committed to ensuring access to everyone who wants a college education,” Bailey said. “We want to be sure that, in our South Texas communities, students of all ages and backgrounds know they can reach out to UTRGV for a quality, affordable education, close to home.

Bailey is part of Excelencia’s national Presidents for Latino Student Success network, comprised of institutional leaders who have committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latino students thrive.

(UTRGV Photo by Paul Chouy)

The colleges and universities in Excelencia’s network are transforming higher education. 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 UTRGV – 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 in common cause to put evidence-based practices, research and strategic analysis of student data to use supporting and advancing the talents, skills, and contributions of Latino students and the institutions.

“Our location on the country’s southern border creates a culturally rich, unique environment in which our students can grow and prosper,” Bailey said. “We are proud to be the future of Texas.”

Through the partnership, Bailey 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.

ABOUT EXCELENCIA IN EDUCATION
Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. It has published more than 100 analyses, highlighted over 385 programs from across the country to advance effective, evidence-based practices, and distributed more than $2 million to promote programs producing results for Latino students. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia has established a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders.

For more information, visit: https://www.edexcelencia.org/