STC President Affiliates with National Excelencia Network

Amanda Sotelo

South Texas College is a leading institution in accelerating Latino student success in higher education, and as a top Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., has announced that he accepted an invitation from Excelencia in Education to join the national network of Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS).

The network consists of a group of presidents and chancellors from across the nation who have committed to making their campus learning environments where all students, especially Latinos, thrive.

The network was formed in 2014 by Excelencia in Education, an organization established to promote Latino student achievement and to support postsecondary leaders in their mission to amplify current efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education at the national level.

“This network was established to support institutional leaders who are transforming higher education…it is our duty that every student that walks through our doors finds a life-changing career for themselves and their families,” said Solis. “At STC, we believe that a higher education is for everyone, so through our new affiliation with Presidents for Latino Student Success, we’ll be able to share our best practices and learn from other institutional leaders nationwide on how we can better improve and enhance our initiatives and strategies.”

Solis named Fernando Chapa, STC Dean of Institutional Research, Effectiveness and Strategic Planning, as STC’s institutional team’s lead affiliate. STC Vice President of Academic Affairs Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., was also named to the team.

“I’m honored and excited to be joining these efforts,” said Chapa. “Student success is what we do at STC. Currently, 96% of our student population is Hispanic and we work together in our quest toward developing initiatives and strategies that ensure we adequately serve this population, and all our students. Together with President Solis, our Board of Trustees and all our faculty and staff, our work is gaining momentum and national attention.”

Solis, Chapa and Petrosian join more than 150 leaders that lead the nation in enrolling and graduating Latino students. Data from research conducted by Excelencia, ranks STC as No. 3 nationwide and No. 1 in Texas for enrolling and graduating Latinos.

“Institutional leadership focused on intentionally serving Latino, and all students, is the hallmark of the presidents and chancellors in this network,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. “We are proud to catalyze and support them as they advance student success and grow talent for our country’s bright future.”

Solis and Chapa share the same sentiment when it comes to joining the national network of Presidents for Latino Student Success.

“There is so much knowledge to be gained as members of this network,” said Chapa. “And Solis’ invitation to join demonstrates his commitment to student success.”

President Solis welcomes the opportunity to share STC successes with his counterparts from across the country.

“National platforms such as this network, allow us to tell our story,” said Solis. “This will give us the opportunity to share our models and improve things for students at a national level.”