Stan State Earns the Seal of Excelencia
University Joins 55 Institutions Nationwide Recognized for Commitment to Student Success
Turlock, CA (10/27/2026) — For Latino families in the Central Valley, what does it take to help students not only get into college but earn their degrees? Stanislaus State's newly earned Seal of Excelencia recognizes the University's work to support Latino students, including those who are the first in their families to attend college. If you're interested in a Spanish-language interview with a University representative or student, please let us know, and we can explore availability.
Stanislaus State has earned the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification recognizing colleges and universities for their commitment to helping Latino and all students succeed in college and beyond.
The University earned the distinction on its first application, joining nine other institutions receiving the Seal for the first time in 2026. Stan State is now among just 55 colleges and universities nationwide to hold the Seal, a rigorous certification established by Excelencia in Education, a national organization dedicated to advancing Latino student success in higher education.
Seal-certified institutions represent less than 2% of colleges and universities nationwide yet collectively enroll 16% and graduate 18% of Latino students. Additionally, they enroll and graduate 8% of all students nationwide.
"I'm absolutely thrilled that Stan State has earned the Seal of Excelencia. Que orgullo!" said President Britt Rios-Ellis. "This is a historic achievement for our University. It affirms that at Stan State - third in the nation in social mobility and high in academic quality rankings - we truly champion Latine students as well as a diverse portfolio of student groups.
"Earning the Seal demonstrates our enduring commitment to our majority Latine population. The Seal truly belongs to every member of our Warrior community who works to honor students in ways that are contextually resonant and reflective of the cultural capital and perseverance Guerreros bring to our campus community."
Stan State is among 21 institutions earning certification or recertification in 2026. Ten institutions received the Seal for the first time, seven earned recertification and four were certified as Intentionally Thriving Institutions, demonstrating sustained progress in preparing students for success after graduation and connecting them to workforce opportunities.
"Congratulations to Stanislaus State on earning the Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education," said U.S. Rep. Josh Harder. "This is a strong recognition of the University's commitment to helping Valley students succeed in college, careers and civic life, and I'm proud to be a partner in supporting that important work. I can't wait to see all that our students will go on to accomplish with the help of this amazing institution."
Established in 2018, the Seal of Excelencia is a rigorous certification that recognizes institutions demonstrating intentional alignment of data, evidence-based practices and leadership to improve student outcomes before and beyond graduation. Rather than comparing institutions through rankings, the certification evaluates how colleges and universities use evidence to inform decisions, strengthen institutional high-impact practices and sustain continuous improvement.
Stan State's pursuit of the Seal included a campuswide examination of student success data and institutional practices through the Seal of Excelencia Institutional Transformation Assessment (SSITA). A University workgroup reviewed enrollment, retention, persistence, graduation and student engagement data to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.
The University's efforts include culturally and language relevant outreach and enrollment practices that strengthen access and engagement for Latino students and their families. Through its First-Year Success Program, Stan State also provides proactive advising, early intervention and ongoing academic support to help Latino and first-generation students navigate their first year of college.
The certification reflects an institution-wide approach to student success, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond individual programs to create systems that respond to students' needs. Institutions earning the Seal demonstrate how they use data to understand the students they serve, connect evidence to action and assess progress toward improving educational outcomes.
"Seal of Excelencia certified institutions present strength of purpose and impact at a moment of great change in higher education," said Deborah Santiago, Excelencia in Education co-founder and CEO. "Excelencia is proud to work with these leaders that show us how it looks when students succeed because of their institutions - not despite them. Together, we are cultivating talent that will ensure America's future."
"Colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia are ensuring talent meets opportunity," said Sarita Brown, Excelencia in Education co-founder and president. "They have evolved beyond simply enrolling to intentionally serving Latino, and all, students. That starts with knowing who they serve and creating clear pathways for students to earn a degree. Collectively, Seal-certified institutions model the change possible for higher education to expand access to excellence for students to achieve their goals."
The Seal of Excelencia certification remains valid for three years, through 2029, after which institutions may pursue recertification by demonstrating continued progress and measurable improvements in student outcomes.
Learn more about the Seal of Excelencia.
Community and Regional Leaders Celebrate Stan State's Achievement
We are grateful to our regional leaders and community partners who have shared their congratulations and support in recognition of this historic achievement. Their words reflect the strength of our partnerships and a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunity, advancing student success and building a brighter future for the Central Valley and beyond.
Dr. Benjamin T. Duran, Executive Director, Central Valley Higher Education Consortium
"Achieving this national certification on the University's first application is a remarkable accomplishment and a meaningful recognition of the institution's sustained commitment to student success. Stanislaus State's Seal of Excelencia reflects the kind of leadership our region needs: ambitious in its goals, grounded in evidence and deeply attentive to the students it serves. Dr. Rios-Ellis and the Stanislaus State team are showing that student success and regional workforce strength advance together. Their example will benefit students, employers and communities throughout the Central Valley."
Blake Zante, Executive Director, The Maddy Institute
"Stanislaus State's intentional work to understand its students, strengthen support systems and advance culturally responsive practices reflects the kind of thoughtful, student-centered leadership that our region needs. It also reinforces the University's important role in preparing the next generation of professionals, public servants and civic leaders."
Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors
"Stanislaus State is a valued partner in developing a skilled and thriving regional workforce. This achievement reflects the University's strong commitment to student success and its alignment with the County's workforce priorities."
Reyna P. Hernandez, President and CEO, Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)
"Stanislaus State's Seal of Excelencia is a powerful recognition of what becomes possible when a University listens to students and families, responds to their strengths and builds systems designed for their success."
Juan Alanis, Assemblymember, 22nd District
"Stanislaus State's Seal of Excelencia is more than a prestigious distinction; it is a testament to the University's measurable, sustained investment in student success. By opening pathways to opportunity and preparing graduates to contribute to California's workforce and communities, Stanislaus State is helping build the stronger California we all want to see."
Johnny Garcia, President and Chief Executive Officer, Stanislaus Latino Chamber of Commerce
"The Chamber and Stan State share a strong history of supporting educational opportunity, community engagement and economic advancement throughout our region. We have seen the University serve as an important bridge among students, families, educators, entrepreneurs and employers. This achievement honors the work of a campus that understands that educational excellence is strongest when it is connected to the communities and businesses it serves."
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About Excelencia in Education in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers transforming higher education 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. Through its network, Excelencia promotes student achievement, informs educational policies and advances evidence-based practices to more intentionally serve Latino and all students.
Spanish Translation
La Universidad Estatal de Stanislaus ha obtenido el Sello de Excelencia, una certificacion nacional que reconoce a los colegios y universidades por su compromiso de ayudar a los estudiantes latinos y a todos los estudiantes a alcanzar el exito en la educacion superior y mas alla.
La universidad obtuvo la certificacion en su primera solicitud, uniendose a otras nueve instituciones que recibieron el Sello por primera vez en 2026. Solo 55 colegios y universidades de todo el pais cuentan con esta certificacion, otorgada por Excelencia en Educacion, una organizacion nacional dedicada a promover el exito de los estudiantes latinos en la educacion superior.
Las instituciones certificadas con el Sello representan menos del 2% de los colegios y universidades del pais; sin embargo, en conjunto, matriculan al 16% y graduan al 18% de los estudiantes latinos. Tambien matriculan y graduan al 8% de todos los estudiantes a nivel nacional.
"Estoy sumamente emocionada de que Stan State haya obtenido el Sello de Excelencia. Que orgullo!", expreso la presidenta Britt Rios-Ellis. "Este es un logro historico para nuestra universidad. Confirma que en Stan State -que ocupa el tercer lugar a nivel nacional en movilidad social y se encuentra entre las instituciones mejor clasificadas por su calidad academica- verdaderamente promovemos el exito de los estudiantes latinos, asi como el de una poblacion estudiantil diversa.
"Obtener el Sello demuestra nuestro compromiso permanente con nuestra poblacion estudiantil, mayoritariamente latina."El Sello realmente pertenece a cada integrante de nuestra comunidad Guerrera que se esfuerza por reconocer y honrar a nuestros estudiantes de maneras significativas, pertinentes a su contexto y que reflejan la riqueza cultural y la perseverancia que los Guerreros aportan a nuestra comunidad universitaria."
La Universidad Estatal de Stanislaus se encuentra entre las 21 instituciones que obtuvieron una certificacion o recertificacion en 2026. Diez instituciones recibieron el Sello por primera vez, siete obtuvieron la recertificacion y cuatro fueron certificadas como Instituciones que Prosperan Intencionalmente (Intentionally Thriving Institutions), demostrando avances sostenidos en la preparacion de los estudiantes para alcanzar el exito despues de graduarse y en su vinculacion con oportunidades laborales.
Establecido en 2018, el Sello de Excelencia es una certificacion rigurosa que reconoce a las instituciones que demuestran una alineacion intencional entre los datos, las practicas basadas en evidencia y el liderazgo para mejorar los resultados estudiantiles antes y despues de la graduacion. En lugar de comparar a las instituciones mediante clasificaciones, la certificacion evalua como los colegios y universidades utilizan la evidencia para fundamentar sus decisiones, fortalecer sus practicas institucionales y mantener un proceso de mejora continua.
Como parte de su proceso para obtener el Sello, Stanislaus State llevo a cabo una evaluacion integral de los datos sobre el exito estudiantil y las practicas institucionales mediante la Evaluacion de Transformacion Institucional del Sello de Excelencia (SSITA). Un grupo de trabajo de la universidad examino datos sobre matricula, retencion, perseverancia academica, graduacion y participacion estudiantil para identificar fortalezas y oportunidades de mejora.
Los esfuerzos de la universidad incluyen practicas bilingues de divulgacion y admision que fortalecen el acceso y la participacion de los estudiantes latinos y sus familias. A traves de su Programa de Exito del Primer Ano (First-Year Success Program), Stan State tambien ofrece asesoramiento academico proactivo, intervencion temprana y apoyo academico continuo para ayudar a los estudiantes latinos y de primera generacion a transitar su primer ano universitario.
La certificacion refleja un enfoque institucional integral hacia el exito estudiantil, que destaca la importancia de ir mas alla de los programas individuales para crear sistemas que respondan a las necesidades de los estudiantes. Las instituciones que obtienen el Sello demuestran como utilizan los datos para comprender a los estudiantes a quienes sirven, convertir la evidencia en acciones concretas y evaluar los avances hacia la mejora de los resultados educativos.
"Las instituciones certificadas con el Sello de Excelencia demuestran una solida claridad de proposito y un impacto significativo en un momento de grandes cambios en la educacion superior", afirmo Deborah Santiago, cofundadora y directora ejecutiva de Excelencia en Educacion. "Excelencia se enorgullece de colaborar con estos lideres, quienes nos muestran como se ve el exito cuando los estudiantes prosperan gracias a sus instituciones, y no a pesar de ellas. Juntos estamos cultivando el talento que garantizara el futuro de Los Estados Unidos de America".
"Los colegios y universidades que obtienen el Sello de Excelencia se aseguran de que el talento encuentre oportunidades", afirmo Sarita Brown, cofundadora y presidenta de Excelencia en Educacion. "Han evolucionado mas alla de simplemente matricular estudiantes para servir de manera intencional a los estudiantes latinos y a todos los estudiantes. Esto comienza por conocer a quienes sirven y crear caminos claros para que los estudiantes obtengan un titulo universitario. En conjunto, las instituciones certificadas con el Sello sirven como modelo del cambio que la educacion superior puede lograr para ampliar el acceso a la excelencia y ayudar a los estudiantes a alcanzar sus metas".
La certificacion del Sello de Excelencia tiene una vigencia de tres anos, hasta 2029. Despues de ese periodo, las instituciones pueden solicitar la recertificacion demostrando avances continuos y mejoras medibles en los resultados estudiantiles.
Para obtener mas informacion sobre el Sello de Excelencia, visite: https://www.edexcelencia.org/seal/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions
Acerca de Excelencia en Educacion
Excelencia en Educacion dirige una red nacional de educadores y responsables de formular politicas, orientados a resultados, que estan transformando la educacion superior para aprovechar el talento de la comunidad latina y responder a las necesidades de la economia estadounidense de contar con una fuerza laboral altamente educada y lideres civicos comprometidos.
A traves de su red, Excelencia en Educacion promueve el rendimiento estudiantil, contribuye a la formulacion de politicas educativas e impulsa practicas basadas en evidencia para servir de manera mas intencional a los estudiantes latinos y a todos los estudiantes.
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