SFSU earns prestigious Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to Latinx students

SAN FRANCISCO (October 1, 2024) – San Francisco State University has earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia granted by Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education. The Seal is a national certification for institutions that strive to more intentionally serve Latinx students. 

San Francisco State is one of 17 colleges and universities to earn the Seal in 2024. In 2018, Excelencia introduced the Seal to certify trendsetting colleges and universities for their efforts to become learning environments where Latinx, and all, students thrive. This year marks the organization’s 20th year of service to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education.

The Seal of Excelencia framework represents a rigorous assessment of certified institutions’ intentionality and impact. It assesses the institutions’ outcomes in retention, financial support and degree completion for Latinx students through the alignment of data, practice and leadership. Seal certification remains valid for three years, after which institutions can recertify progress.

“We are deeply honored to receive the Seal of Excelencia for our steadfast commitment to advancing the talents of Latinx students,” SFSU President Lynn Mahoney said. “Here at SF State, we understand the importance of providing an environment where students’ identities are celebrated and represented in their education. Earning the Seal reflects that.”

This year’s cohort of newly certified and recertified institutions belongs to a collective of 46 colleges and universities that have earned the Seal. Together, they represent less than 1% of all institutions but enroll 17% and graduate 19% of all Latinx students nationwide. 

Specifically at SFSU, Latinx student enrollment doubled between 2010 and 2022. More than 39% of students identify as Latinx, making them the largest ethnic group among the University’s undergraduates. 

“The colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia lead the charge in meeting our nation’s degree attainment goals,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia of Education. “They demonstrate commitment to Latino student success through impact and ongoing self-assessment.”

Higher education, business, philanthropy and government leaders in Excelencia’s community convened in Washington, D.C., to recognize SFSU as one of eight institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia for the first time, as well as nine other institutions that earned recertification. The announcement was part of the organization’s National Policy Forum, focused on innovating policies to accelerate Latinx degree attainment and strengthen our country’s civic leadership and workforce. The 17 Seal-certified institutions exemplify the kinds of programs and practices that inform good policy.

Before SFSU earned the Seal of Excelencia, President Mahoney joined Excelencia’s national network of Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS). The network comprises over 200 higher education leaders committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latinx, and all, students thrive. Institutions in the P4LSS network are eligible to apply for the Seal. To earn the Seal of Excelencia, they must demonstrate:

• An intentional, institutional focus on advancing Latinx student success by aligning data and practice
• Deliberate and ongoing assessment to identify and implement strategies that improve Latinx student achievement
• Leadership commitment to continue transforming into an environment where Latinx students thrive
• A long-term and unwavering commitment to intentionally serve Latinx, and all, students.

For example, SFSU is conducting targeted outreach efforts aimed at bolstering retention and degree completion rates among Latinx students. Much of this work is part of the California State University’s Equity Priority directives, which aim to eliminate equity gaps. Re-enrollment and re-engagement campaigns are also a priority with cross-campus units working to help our Latinx students who have dropped out return.

“Students and families as well as leaders in philanthropy, business and government look to colleges and universities that earned the Seal of Excelencia when making their institutional choices,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. “Excelencia is proud to partner with institutions ensuring America’s bright future by advancing the talents of the Latino community.”

Interested in becoming a San Francisco State University student? Apply now!

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About San Francisco State University 

San Francisco State University is a public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and around the world, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. More than 22,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its approximately 294,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,800 world-class faculty members — SF State proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice. For more information, visit sfsu.edu.

About Excelencia in Education

Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. With this network, Excelencia accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, informing educational policies with a Latino lens and advancing evidence-based practices. In 2024, Excelencia marks 20 years of commitment to Latino student success. For more information, visit EdExcelencia.org.