Cal State LA earns Seal of Excelencia recertification, reaffirming its commitment to student success

Cal State LA has earned recertification of the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification recognizing colleges and universities that demonstrate sustained efforts to improve outcomes for Latino students while advancing student success for all.

Cal State LA is among 55 colleges and universities nationwide certified with the Seal of Excelencia for 2026-29. These institutions represent less than 2% of colleges and universities in the country.

"At Cal State LA, we believe that every student deserves not only the opportunity to earn a college degree, but also the support, encouragement, and sense of belonging that make that achievement possible. Our work is intentional," said Berenecea Johnson Eanes, president of Cal State LA. "We are building an ecosystem that surrounds students with opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed-one that recognizes their potential and helps them envision a future they may not have thought possible."

"When our students succeed, that success reaches far beyond our campus," she added. "It transforms families, strengthens communities, and creates hope for generations to come. That is the promise of Cal State LA, and it is a commitment we are proud to continue."

Created in 2018 by Excelencia in Education, a national organization focused on Latino student success in higher education, the Seal of Excelencia provides a framework for institutions to assess their practices, use data to guide decisions, and establish measurable goals for improving student outcomes.

The Seal of Excelencia is not an award or a ranking of institutions. It recognizes colleges and universities that align data, evidence-based practices and institutional leadership to support continuous improvement in student outcomes.

The certification is valid for three years, after which institutions may seek recertification. Institutions seeking recertification must demonstrate sustained progress by advancing strategies, strengthening practices, and setting goals to deepen their impact.

For Cal State LA, recertification reflects a continuing commitment to evaluating institutional strategies and identifying ways to help students succeed during college and beyond graduation.

According to Excelencia in Education, these colleges and universities enroll 16% and graduate 18% of Latino students nationwide, while enrolling and graduating 8% of all students.

Undergraduate students at these institutions also have higher retention rates than students nationally. About 81% of full-time students and 50% of part-time students were retained, compared with 78% and 45%, respectively, across all institutions. Additionally, 43% of students at Seal-certified institutions received Pell Grants, compared with 35% nationally.

The framework encourages institutions to move beyond individual programs and work toward broader changes across campus. Through collaborative learning, self-assessment tools, and a national network of participating institutions, colleges, and universities can identify opportunities to strengthen how they serve Latino students and the wider student population.

The Seal of Excelencia represents an ongoing process, encouraging institutions to sustain progress and strengthen their impact over time.