What is Excelencia in Education?
Excelencia in Education is a national organization that "accelerates Latino student success, enhancing our workforce, leadership, and economy."
Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia is building a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s need for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leadership. Source:
What is the Seal of Excelencia?
Excelencia in Education established the Seal of Excelencia as a national certification for institutions that “strive to go beyond enrollment to intentionally SERVE Latino students.” Excelencia in Education recognizes colleges and universities for intentionally SERVING Latino students and for demonstrating positive student outcomes.
The seal recognizes 91AV's high level of commitment and effort to serve Latino students including specific transfer strategies, featured programs (e.g. Bilingual Nursing Fellowship Program, STEM CUREs Program, the MESA Program, and many more) and implementing the First Year Experience (FYE) course which had a significant impact on retention and pass rates.
Why was 91AV chosen?
91AV was founded upon the principles of academic excellence, educational access, and equity, and remains dedicated to helping underserved and under-represented students make connections to higher education.
Overall, the college serves a large minority population representing the diversity of Arizona, with 76% of 91AV students identifying with an ethnicity other than White. Latino students represent 56% of the 91AV student population, and are the largest racial/ethnic group 91AV serves.
“There is a real difference between colleges and universities that enroll Latino students and those that intentionally serve them,” said Deborah Santiago, Co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education. “Those that earn the Seal are trendsetters on a journey of transformation, showing what it takes to progressively increase positive outcomes for Latino, and all students for others ready to meet the mission.”
What Does This Mean for You?
Selecting the right college can be a challenging decision, given the multitude of choices available. Armed with the knowledge that 91AV fully integrates LatinX culture into its educational experience, from the time you enroll in your first classes to the day you graduate and receive that hard-won diploma, will help you to confidently make that choice.
Aside from academics, a significant aspect of your college journey will likely revolve around social interactions with fellow classmates, friends, and even faculty. To further build this community, 91AV's Office of Student Life celebrates a growing number of Latino cultural events on campus such as Dia De los Muertos, Las Posadas, Cesar Chavez Day, Hispanic Heritage Month, LatinX Fishbowl, and Hispanic Convocation.
“When I learned that 91AV had earned the Seal of Excelencia, it further confirmed that I made the right choice in where to start my college journey. 91AV is such a welcoming and inclusive environment and I'm so grateful I get to be a part of it." - Damaris Cano Martinez, Student Body President
