Renewed Seal of Excelencia Recognizes UT Efforts for Latinx Students
- Oct 5, 2023
The University of Texas at Austin has earned recertification of the Seal of Excelencia, a prestigious designation that recognizes an institution’s commitment to the success of its Latino student population.
The University first received the Seal in 2020, joining a small group of colleges and universities across the U.S. to hold the designation, which is given to institutions that demonstrate through data, evidence-based practices and leadership how they are intentionally serving Latino students.
This year, Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education, announced five recertifications, including UT Austin and UT San Antonio.
“The University of Texas at Austin has worked very hard to build a community and academic home for our Latino students that is vibrant, supportive and known for its excellence,” said President Jay Hartzell.
The recertification further exemplifies the University’s efforts to recruit and retain Latino students in its role as one of the country’s largest and most academically prestigious Hispanic-serving institutions.
This year, the percentage of Hispanic undergraduates rose to 28.2 percent from 27.9 percent last fall, while Hispanic students’ first-year retention rate rose to 94.8 percent and four-year graduation rate increased to 68 percent. During the past 10 years, the four-year graduation rate of Latino students at UT has risen nearly 30 percent.
“We are proud to once again receive the Seal of Excelencia, which is a recognition of the talent and commitment of our faculty, staff, and above all, our students — and all they’ve invested to make UT one of the best places in the country for Hispanic students to prosper,” said Hartzell. “We are excited to continue and further develop our efforts to support the success of this community, and all Longhorns, during their time on campus and beyond.”