Excelencia in Education Recertifies Miami Dade College as a Trendsetter Detailing Efforts to Become a Learning Environment Where Latino Students Thrive
Miami, Oct. 1, 2024 – Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Hispanic and Latino student success in higher education, announced today that Miami Dade College (MDC) has earned the prestigious Seal of Excelencia recertification. The Seal is a national certification for institutions that strive to go beyond enrollment and more intentionally serve Hispanic students. MDC first received the Seal in 2021, and its recertification this year is especially fitting as it coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, underscoring the college’s ongoing dedication to empowering students and celebrating their cultural contributions.
“It is an honor to be recognized once again as a top institution for advancing student success and completion and expanding career pathways, especially among Hispanics, our largest student population,” said MDC President Madeline Pumariega. “We are proud to be part of the Excelencia community and join other distinguished colleges and universities leading the way to expand opportunities for Hispanic students.”
MDC is one of only 17 colleges and universities to earn the Seal of Excelencia in 2024. In 2018, Excelencia introduced the Seal to certify trendsetting colleges and universities for their efforts to become learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive. This year marks the organization’s 20th year of service to accelerate Latino student success in higher education.
The Seal of Excelencia framework represents a rigorous assessment of certified institutions’ intentionality and impact in improving outcomes such as retention, financial support, and degree completion for Latino students by aligning efforts across data, practice, and leadership. Ultimately, this process strengthens efforts to serve all students. Seal certification remains valid for three years, after which institutions have the opportunity to recertify progress.
Higher education, business, philanthropy, and government leaders in Excelencia’s community of common cause convened in Washington, D.C., to recognize MDC as one of nine institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia recertification, as well as eight other institutions that earned Seal certification for the first time. The announcement was part of the organization’s National Policy Forum, focused on innovating policies to accelerate Latinos’ 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.
“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.”
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 Latino students nationwide.
Prior to MDC earning the Seal the first time, President Pumariega first 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 Latino, and all, students thrive.
“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.”
Learn more about the institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia certification and recertification this year at EdExcelencia.org/seal/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions.
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.
About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College (MDC) is the most diverse institution in the nation, with 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer over 300 distinct degree pathways, including associate and baccalaureate degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. MDC is the recipient of many top national awards, including the prestigious Aspen Prize. The College changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences. It is home to the Miami Culinary Institute, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex, the Miami Fashion Institute, The Idea Center, the Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, two AI Centers, the Center for Learning, Innovation and Simulation at the Medical Campus, the Business Innovation & Technology Center, the School for Advanced Studies and New World School of the Arts, among others. MDC has been recognized among the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For” since the program’s inception. The College serves as an economic, cultural and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community. MDC alumni and employees contribute more than $3 billion annually to the local economy, and graduates occupy top leadership positions in every major industry. MDC’s renowned rich cultural programming includes the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, Koubek Center Mansion and Gardens, Live Arts Miami at MDC, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, and the Museum of Art and Design. MDC has admitted more than 2.5 million students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. Approximately 125,000 students are currently enrolled. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.