CGCC President Joins Latino Student Initiative
Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success, enhancing our workforce, leadership, and economy.
by Dan Spatz
Excelencia in Education, a national organization whose mission is to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, has announced that Dr. Marta Yera Cronin, president of Columbia Gorge Community College, has chosen to be part of Presidents for Latino Student Success and the Excelencia in Action network.
Dr. Marta Yera Cronin
This nation-wide network includes diverse college and university leaders who commit to making their institutions learning environments where Latino students thrive. The institutions in Excelencia’s network are transforming higher education. They represent four percent of all U.S. colleges and universities, yet enroll 24 percent of all Latino students. More importantly, they graduate 35 percent of all Latino graduates nationwide.
Excelencia professionals, the Presidents for Latino Student Success, 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, 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.”
Excelencia is honored to work with over 100 trendsetting presidents and chancellors who have accepted this challenge. The leaders who choose Presidents for Latino Student Success have made common cause with Excelencia to accelerate Latino student success in higher education.
“With Columbia Gorge Community College's growing Latino enrollment, it's imperative that we avail ourselves of all opportunities that can better equip us to serve this expanding student population,” President Cronin said. “Working with Excelencia and other colleges within the network will enable us to stay abreast of promising practices as they emerge. By working together we can ensure that all our students are successful from the moment they enter our institutions until they graduate with a degree or credential. It is an honor to be part of such an esteemed and innovative group of leaders.”
Through the network, Columbia Gorge Community College will collaborate with Excelencia to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts at the national level. To learn more about Presidents for Latino Student Success and the other institutional leaders across the country affiliated with Excelencia, visit : https://www.edexcelencia.org/leadership/presidents-latino-student-success
Columbia Gorge Community College is an Hispanic-Serving Institution, the first community college in Oregon to join the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Offering instruction in The Dalles, Hood River and virtually, this accredited, public institution serves students throughout the Mid-Columbia region. Learn more at www.cgcc.edu .
