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Dustin Luca
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SALEM, MASS. – Excelencia in Education announced today that Salem State University has earned the Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating continuous improvement in Latino, and all, student outcomes. As one of 21 colleges and universities to earn the Seal in 2026, Salem State holds itself accountable for delivering value to our students, our community and the country — reinforcing higher education’s role as an engine of social mobility, economic vitality and workforce development.
Only 55 institutions nationwide have earned the Seal of Excelencia, but they produce disproportionate, positive student impact and are preparing the talent of today and tomorrow. Seal-certified institutions represent less than 2% of colleges and universities, yet enroll 16% and graduate 18% of Latino students — and enroll and graduate 8% of all students.
The Seal is a rigorous, national certification earned through the intentional alignment of data, evidence-based practices and leadership strategies — all leading to student success. By moving beyond isolated programs to systemic change and mission-driven investment in intentionally serving Latinos — who are representative of today’s post-traditional student majority — Salem State is strengthening capacity to serve all our students.
"We didn't set out simply to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution. We set out to become an institution that truly serves all students," said Salem State University President John Keenan. "That meant listening to our students, understanding the barriers they face and making intentional changes to help them succeed. Earning the Seal of Excelencia is national recognition that confirms we're on the right track, but it isn't the finish line. We are proud of what we've accomplished, and we are committed to building on that progress over the next three years and beyond—for our Latino students, for all students and for the communities that depend on their success."
“Seal of Excelencia certified institutions present strength of purpose and impact at a moment of great change in higher education,” said Deborah Santiago, Excelencia in Education Co-founder and CEO. “Excelencia is proud to work with these leaders that show us how it looks when students succeed because of their institutions — not despite them. Together, we are cultivating talent that will ensure America’s future.”
Before Salem State earned the Seal of Excelencia, Keenan made the decision to join the national Excelencia in Action network. In 2026, the network includes more than 140 colleges and universities serving over 4.2 million students in 28 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. Among this group, Salem State has chosen to become more student-centered and data-informed, leveraging Excelencia’s evidence-based tools, capacity building programming and community of practice on its journey to Seal certification.
“Colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia are ensuring talent meets opportunity,” said Sarita Brown, Excelencia in Education Co-founder and President. “They have evolved beyond simply enrolling to intentionally serving Latino, and all, students. That starts with knowing who they serve and creating clear pathways for students to earn a degree. Collectively, Seal-certified institutions model the change possible for higher education to expand access to excellence for students to achieve their goals.”
Leaders in higher education, business, government, and philanthropy convened in Washington, D.C., to recognize Salem State as one of 10 institutions earning Seal of Excelencia certificationfor the first time. In addition, seven institutions earned Seal recertification, and four earned certification as Intentionally Thriving Institutions (ITI) for demonstrating positive impact in preparing and connecting students to the workforce.
Salem State has been preparing to be an intentional Hispanic- and Minority-Serving Institution that increases student outcomes since before 2023, when the university developed and published our Roadmap to Servingness. Since that time, the office of HSI-MSI Initiatives has been working with campus and community partners to implement recommendations that better center and serve our student population. Improvements including gathering and using additional data to understand our Hispanic and Latino student population, investing in language access for multilingual families and professional development for faculty, and expanding resources and programming for students. Salem State is also working to expand pathways to a college degree through early college programs, direct admission practices, multilingual engagement, online programs, and improving transfer pathways for students attending community college.
Learn more about how Seal of Excelencia certified institutions model the transformation necessary for higher education to ensure Latino, and all, students thrive — and strengthen our nation’s civic leadership and workforce: EdExcelencia.org/seal/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions