Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit and national authority on Latinx student success, has recertified Cal State Fullerton with the 2024 Seal of Excelencia, a prestigious certification awarded to U.S. institutions that strive to go beyond Latinx student enrollment and intentionally serve their Latinx student populations.
CSUF is one of nine institutions to earn recertification in 2024 after demonstrating how it supports Latinx student success through a rigorous application process. Another eight institutions earned the seal for the first time this year. These 17 colleges and universities will hold the distinction through 2027.
Excelencia in Education aims to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education and significantly increase the number of Latinx students obtaining college degrees by 2030. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit reports that 46 colleges and universities have earned the seal since 2018, and these institutions together enroll 17% and graduate 19% of Latinx students nationwide.
“We are grateful to be recertified for this prestigious recognition,” said President Ronald S. Rochon. “As a No. 5 institution in the nation for awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanic students, Cal State Fullerton proudly serves our Latinx student population through an inclusive campus culture and innovative programs. The Seal of Excelencia not only amplifies our role as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, but also recognizes the commitment and accomplishments of all Titans.”
Celebrating its 20th anniversary as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, CSUF is strengthening efforts to recruit and retain students from underserved communities and uphold its HSI designation. The university serves a 52.3% Latinx student population, and was one of 10 U.S. colleges and universities to earn the seal for the first time in 2021.
Diverse: Issues In Higher Education last year named CSUF No. 3 in the nation for awarding bachelor’s degrees to underrepresented students and No. 5 in the nation for awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanic students.
Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion Assistant Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Cecil Chik led a team representing multiple areas of the university to outline CSUF’s best practices and latest data for supporting Latinx student success.
“We worked with every university division to highlight examples and data that show how CSUF is fully committed to intentionally and effectively serving its Latinx students,” Chik said. “Our programs and centers are based on best practices and exemplify how our university maintains a campus environment where Latinx students can thrive, find community and earn degrees that advance quality of life for themselves and their families.
“This recertification process highlights CSUF’s successes in retention, financial support and degree completion, and strengthens our efforts to serve all students.”
An institution earns the seal by demonstrating it is intentionally serving Latinx students, using detailed examples of data, practice and leadership.
Application highlights:
- The university’s commitment to serving Latinx students is deeply integrated into its Fullerton Forward strategic plan for 2024-29
- The percentage of CSUF’s Latinx faculty members has increased from 11.5% in fall 2019 to 15.5% in fall 2023
- The new Scholarships Office and Titan Hub centralize resources in the areas of admissions, financial aid, scholarships, student business services and more, removing barriers to Latinx enrollment, retention and student success
- CSUF’s Transfer, Adult Re-Entry, Parenting and Pregnant Center; Educational Opportunity Program; and Latinx Community Resource Center expanded resources to address the unique challenges of Latinx students
- The Mobile Crisis Team, information technology support for the enrollment process, basic needs care specialists and equitable pedagogy development for faculty create an inclusive and supportive campus environment for all students
Learn more about CSUF’s Seal of Excelencia and commitment to Latinx student success at president.fullerton.edu/excelencia.