President Koppell Joins Excelencia in Education's Presidents for Latino Student Success Network

Institutions in the network account for one in three of all Latino graduates

Montclair, NJ (09/05/2023) — Montclair State University President Jonathan Koppell has joined the Presidents for Latino Student Success network, which is part of Excelencia in Education, the nation's premier authority in efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education.

In addition, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales has been named as Lead Affiliate for the institutional team and committed to support the University's engagement with Excelencia in Education. Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs Katia Paz Goldfarb and Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life Dawn Meza Soufleris have also been named Additional Affiliates for network opportunities.

Montclair, the biggest R2 HSI east of the Mississippi River and north of Florida, joins this important national network comprised of college and university presidents and chancellors who commit to making their institutions learning environments where Latino students thrive.

Through the network, Koppell will collaborate with Excelencia to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships and amplify current efforts at the national level.

"As the largest Hispanic-Serving Institution in New Jersey in terms of total enrollment and with 44% of our incoming class identifying as Hispanic, Montclair is committed to providing transformational opportunities for our diverse student body," said Koppell. "I'm proud to join Excelencia in Education as a partner in their mission to elevate and ensure the success of Latino scholars, and look forward to collaborating on strategies that will take our efforts to new heights."

Of the thousands of colleges and universities across the country, the more than 150 leaders of the 175 institutions in the network enroll one in four of all Latino students in higher education and one in three of all Latino graduates. In fact, a subset of the Excelencia network - 30 institutions that have been certified with the Seal of Excelencia - represents 13% of all Latino enrollment and graduates 14% of all Latinos in the U.S.

Excelencia professionals, the leadership network and their campus teams actively collaborate to put evidence-based practices and strategic analysis of student data to use supporting and advancing the talents, skills and contributions of Latino students and the institutions.

Sarita Brown, Co-founder and President of Excelencia, said, "Higher education leaders with skills and vision are fundamental to our country's strong recovery. Those prepared to engage and intentionally serve Latino students, while serving all their students, will lead the way."

To learn more about Presidents for Latino Student Success network and the other institutional leaders across the country affiliated with Excelencia, visit edexcelencia.org/leadership/presidents-latino-student-success.

For more information on Hispanic initiatives at Montclair State University, visit montclair.edu/hispanic-initiatives.