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Dear Colleagues –
Year-round, the foundation is committed to working alongside partners to increase student success, particularly for the students who face the most significant barriers to entry and completion. To that end, while National Hispanic Heritage Month (celebrated each year from September 15 – October 15) is now officially over, we shouldn’t limit our celebration of Latino student achievements and aspirations to one month of the year. So, I’ve devoted this newsletter to diving deeper into the institutions and organizations working to support the postsecondary journey of Latino students and the latest research insights about strategies and solutions to supporting this population effectively.
- Record-high Latino enrollment trends
Across the country, about 28% of Latino adults (age 25 or over) have earned an associate’s degree or higher, compared to 48% of white adults. And in California, the state with the highest Latino population, that gap grows where only 22% of Latino adults have earned a degree beyond a high school diploma when compared to 56% of white adults. While those completion gaps are concerning, we’ve seen dramatic increases in Latino enrollment in the last few decades (which are leading indicators to attainment) and those should be celebrated.
- The latest data from the National Student Clearinghouse shows a higher percentage of Latino students are continuing past their freshman year, more Latino students are re-enrolling after stopping out, and the overall number of Latino students completing undergraduate degrees has grown by nearly half since 2016.
- Additionally, the University of California (UC) is celebrating record high Latino student enrollment. The UC System is home to nine undergraduate campuses and five of them have secured federal designations as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) where at least 25% of their student body is Latino. This year, 38.6% of UC first time student admits are Latino, most first-generation college students across the UC system are Latino, and in just the last five years (2019 – 2023), UC admitted an additional 9,227 Latino students residing in California.
- Postsecondary institutions where Latino students excel
As of last year, there were 600 HSIs across the country – including two-year public and private and four-year public and private schools. HSIs serve a critical role in higher education as engines of economic mobility and a culture of understanding for the students they serve. But like all postsecondary institutions across the country, some do a better job than others at actually delivering for their students. To celebrate the institutions that excel in creating learning environments where Latino students, and all students, thrive, our longtime partners at Excelencia in Education established a national certification. A few weeks ago, Excelencia announced their 2024 Seal of Excelencia awardees. Check out the feature immediately below my note to learn more about this year’s recipients.
- Supporting Latino students: research insights
New public opinion research out earlier this week from UnidosUS unveils barriers to Latino student success and identifies opportunities to more effectively support Latino students. UnidosUS commissioned a nationwide survey of 3,000 Latinos (aged 18-35) to gain deeper insight into their postsecondary experiences. The survey revealed that Latino students (like many Americans) see higher education as an aspirational pathway to a better life, but they still face barriers including financial constraints, insufficient academic guidance, and work and family obligations. These insights call for comprehensive approaches that include mentoring programs, flexible financial support, and inclusive policies to ensure Latino students not only enroll but prosper in higher education.
Celebrating the achievements of Latino students goes hand-in-hand with recognizing the challenges they face, and the efforts needed to support their ambitions. By investing in data-informed practices, championing inclusive policies, and honoring the institutions leading the way, we can continue to drive positive change for the Latino community in higher education.
Patrick Methvin
Director, Postsecondary Success
2024 Seal of Excelencia
Earlier this month, colleagues on the Postsecondary Success team joined Excelencia in Education for their annual Seal of Excelencia awards ceremony. Excelencia is one of six non-profit organizations working with a range of colleges and universities to serve as connectors, advisors, and strategists as part of the foundation’s commitment to scaling postsecondary transformation. It was a joy to celebrate alongside them as they honored 17 colleges and universities in this year’s cohort of awardees. The 2024 recipients represent eight newly certified and nine recertified institutions. Collectively, these institutions represent less than 1% of all institutions but enroll 17% and graduate 19% of Latino students nationwide! Check out the full list of these 17 Seal-certified institutions and learn more about how they’re moving the needle for Latino student success.
What we’re reading
- California colleges that pay: Measuring return on investment across majors and credentials
The value of degree programs at the same college or university can vary drastically, which is why it’s critical for students to have access to program-level earnings data. A new report from the College Futures Foundation shows just how long it takes graduates to recoup costs by specific programs of student at postsecondary institutions across California. Good news: across all programs evaluated, 90% allow graduates to recoup their costs in 5 years or less. Are there programs where students don’t see a return on their investment? Dig into the report to find out.
- Task force report: Enhancing the value of higher ed degrees
Students’ completion of a postsecondary degree or credential should leave them better off than before they started, but that’s not always the case. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Task Force on Higher Education (comprised of 29 legislators and four legislative staff from 32 states) developed a report featuring a robust and bipartisan vision for how state and federal policymakers can work with institutions to ensure more students receive degrees of value. Check out their final report.
What we’re listening to
- Strengthening student success at UT Knoxville
In the latest episode of The Key podcast, Inside Higher Ed’s Student Success Editor, Melissa Ezarik, sat down with UT Knoxville’s chancellor, Donde Plowman, and Amber Williams, vice president of student success, to talk about their leadership approach to helping deliver better outcomes for their students.