ASU Recertified with Seal of Excelencia for Intentionally Serving Latino Students

This year marks the first time Excelencia in Education recertifies nine institutions continuing their journey of transformation

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 30, 2022) – Excelencia in Education announced today 15 institutions earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2022 by demonstrating with their data, evidence-based practices, and leadership how they are intentionally serving Latino students. This marks the fourth year Excelencia, a Latina-led organization founded to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, has offered the Seal of Excelencia—a national certification process supporting institutional transformation to serve Latino, and all, students.

At today’s announcement event, attended by ASU Provost Nancy Gonzales and live streamed from the nation’s capital, Excelencia recognized six institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia for the first time and nine institutions that were recertified, including Arizona State University.

“As a 21st century public university, ASU takes very seriously its responsibility to support the success of all learners, and our student-centric design reflects that commitment,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “We are proud to continue building on our university-wide efforts to prepare, serve and graduate Latino learners of all ages, and to receive this meaningful recertification as an affirmation of our collective work.”

ASU’s increased Hispanic enrollment reflects state and national population trends.

According to Pew Research Center, Hispanics have accounted for more than half of total U.S. population growth since 2010. The median age of Hispanics living in Arizona is 28, and nearly half of the K–12 population identifies as Latino, making it even more crucial to support and prepare the state’s Latino population for college and careers.

The Seal of Excelencia framework was developed with colleges and universities over many years as a tool for institutional self-assessment. The Seal certification is valid for three years and institutions committed to a journey of transformation to intentionally serving Latino students may choose to apply. ASU was first certified in 2019.

An institution earns the Seal by demonstrating alignment across the three core areas of data, practice, and leadership, which show:

 

• Evidence of effectiveness and intentionality in institutional practices serving Latino students
• Positive momentum for Latino student progress in their data
• Dedication to transforming the institution into an environment where Latino students thrive
• Strategies in leadership that clearly articulate institutional focus on advancing Latino student success.

In terms of actual numbers of students, ASU has more than 16,840 Hispanic undergraduate students among its fall 2021 immersion population, compared with about 10,400 in fall 2011. When all students — undergrad and graduate, immersion and online — are included, ASU’s Hispanic enrollment stands at more than 30,200 students, a significant increase from the roughly 12,240 such students in fall 2011.

 

Excelencia Co-founder and President Sarita Brown said, “We launched the Seal in 2018 because, after years of offering information and evidence-based tactics and strategies to support colleges and universities we saw a slow response to the vibrant and growing Latino student population. Excelencia has 18 years of experience and know-how to support institutions and their leaders who are ready to transform to SERVE Latino students.”

ASU was also designated a Hispanic Serving Institution earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Education. Investing in minority students such as Krystlelynn Caraballo, who is part of the first cohort of Presidential Postdoctoral Fellows at ASU, and is researching the victimization of immigrants in the U.S., is just one example of how ASU is creating pathways for underrepresented communities and staying true to our charter. 

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, advancing institutional practices, and collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. 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: www.EdExcelencia.org