Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
As the nation’s No. 1 Hispanic-Serving Institution, South Texas College has earned its second recertification through the Seal of Excelencia and was also recently announced as one of the first of eight colleges in the nation to earn the new “Intentionally Thriving Institution” designation of the Seal of Excelencia by Excelencia in Education.
Excelencia in Education is a national leader in catalyzing institutional transformation for student success in higher education and awards institutions whose impact reaches beyond the educational pathway and recognizes the positive impact colleges and universities like STC, have in preparing and connecting Latino, and all, students to the workforce.
“The Seal of Excelencia recognizes institutions that go beyond simply enrolling students. It honors those that intentionally serve them with excellence,” said Fernando Chapa, STC dean of Institutional Research, Effectiveness and Strategic Planning. “This achievement is yet another testament to STC’s commitment to serving all students with care, purpose and impact.”
With a 95% Hispanic student population, STC was part of the first cohort in 2019 to receive a Seal of Excelencia, and since then has been recertified for its ongoing improvement, intentionality and impact in increasing Latino, and all, student success.
Excelencia in Education reports, that sealed-certified institution undergraduates have higher retention rates than students at all institutions, undergraduates are more likely to receive Pell grants and less likely to receive federal loans, Latino faculty representation is over two times higher than at all institutions and Latinos’ degree outcomes are better than all institutions.
“Seal of Excelencia-certified institutions are investing in transformation, ensuring access to excellence and becoming places where Latino, and all, students thrive,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and chief executive officer of Excelencia in Education. “These institutions have made demonstrable efforts to ensure students’ return on investment in a degree while cultivating talent that fuels our country’s future.”
The Seal of Excelencia is a rigorous, data-driven certification, not an award or ranking. The framework aligns data, practice and leadership to move institutions beyond isolated programs toward systemic change and investment that provides institutional value to students, their families and their communities.
“Excelencia is proud to continue to catalyze and support colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia for their impact and intentional efforts to deliver on the promise of higher education for all students. Through our collaboration, we build talent for our country’s workforce and civic leadership,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education.
Under the leadership of STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., the college is known nationally and statewide as a high performer in enrolling and graduating Latinos and has also been recognized for fostering partnerships with its neighbors in Mexico, providing education and training to schools and factories.
STC has also leveraged apprenticeships to advance economic mobility and immediate employment through its Center for Advanced Training and Apprenticeships and has designed noncredit pathways for adult learners promoting workforce equity and upward mobility.
Last year, Solis was invited to join Excelencia’s national Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network. The network includes more than 200 higher education leaders committed to advancing Latino, and all, student success on their campuses.
“This designation and recertification exemplifies the transformative leadership we have at STC, in ensuring access to excellence for Latino, and all, students,” said STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D. “These prestigious distinctions reaffirm our unwavering commitment to serving Hispanic and underrepresented students with excellence, innovation and equity at the heart of all we do. This is a powerful reminder that we are creating a brighter future for all students in South Texas and beyond.”
For more information on programs and services offered through STC, visit southtexascollege.edu.
Learn more about institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia certification, recertification, and Intentionally Thriving Institution designation this year: EdExcelencia.org/seal/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions.
Information source: STC
