Episode 34: Seal of Excelencia with Stella Siva and Victoria Black

Texas State University’s Stella Silva, assistant vice president for inclusive excellence-faculty and staff initiatives, and Victoria Black, associate dean of University College student services, join the Big Ideas TXST podcast to discuss the university’s recent designation as a Seal of Excelencia recipient.

Texas State is one of only six institutions certified in 2022 for the seal by Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education. Texas State joins an exclusive group of 30 colleges and universities nationally who are so recognized for demonstrating through data, evidence-based practices and leadership, how they are intentionally serving Latino students.

The Seal of Excelencia framework was developed with colleges and universities over many years as a tool for institutional self-assessment. The seal certification is valid for three years and institutions committed to a journey of transformation to intentionally serve their Latino students may choose to apply. This marks the fourth year Excelencia, a Latina-led organization founded to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, has offered the Seal of Excelencia—a national certification process supporting institutional transformation to serve Latino, and all, students.

Texas State has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2011. Currently, 40.5% of the student body identifies as Hispanic/Latino. In 2021, Hispanic Outlook magazine recognized Texas State as one of the Top 100 Colleges and Universities for Hispanics. Texas State was nationally ranked in seven categories, including 13th for total bachelor’s degrees granted to Hispanics, 28th for total Hispanic enrollment among 4-year schools and 47th for total master´s degrees granted to Hispanics.

 

Further reading:

National spotlight on Texas State for Seal of Excelencia honor

Excelencia in Education