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Maricopa Community Colleges one of 25 institutions across the country supporting timely analysis on Latino students
Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority in efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education, announced today Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Chancellor of the Maricopa County Community College District, 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, in order to close these gaps, college completion among Latinos must accelerate so they earn 6.2 million more degrees by 2030.
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 serve Latino students while serving all. 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, who leads Excelencia’s research and policy agenda said, “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. 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.”
“College enrollment of Hispanic and Latino students continues to rise and so does our determination to empower our diverse student populations to reach greater heights through higher education," said MCCCD Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales. “38% of our students identify as Hispanic and our ten colleges designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions. We continue to find new ways, through grant opportunities or programmatic offerings to ensure Hispanic/Latino learners are equipped with the tools and resources needed to ensure academic success.”
Chancellor Gonzales 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.
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 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.
“MCCCD remains committed to driving educational excellence and closing equity gaps. It is an honor to join forces with Excelencia in Education and to be part of this incredible initiative that supports the advancement of Latino students through evidence-based practices and research,” said Dr. Gonzales.
Through the partnership, Chancellor Gonzales 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.