Dominican University Earns Seal of Excelencia for its Intentional Focus on Student Success
River Forest, IL—Dominican University’s commitment to intentionally and impactfully serve Latine students through approaches that demonstrate continuous improvement for all students has earned the university the prestigious Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education.
The Seal of Excelencia is a national certification recognizing trendsetting, mission-driven colleges and universities that go beyond just enrolling Latine students—who represent today’s post-traditional student majority—by intentionally and effectively serving them. In doing so, Dominican, through the advancement of strategies, practices and programs, has produced positive, measurable outcomes of success for not only Latine students, but all student populations.
Seal-certified institutions are leaders in the nation for degree completion, growing opportunities for students and strengthening communities and the workforce.
Dominican University is among just 55 institutions nationwide to earn the Seal of Excelencia. Seal-certified institutions represent less than 2% of colleges and universities yet enroll 16% and graduate 18% of the nation’s Latine students.
“We are deeply honored to earn the Seal of Excelencia, which recognizes Dominican University’s longstanding commitment to serving Latine students and ensuring all students thrive,” said Dr. Glena G. Temple, president of Dominican University. “As we celebrate 15 years as a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, this recognition affirms our intentional efforts to align data, practices and leadership around the lived experiences, needs and aspirations of our students. This work is central to our mission and our belief that a Dominican education can open doors to greater economic and social mobility for our students, their families and their communities. We are proud to stand alongside Excelencia as a national leader in advancing equity and excellence for Latine students and all students.”
With 125 years of making higher education accessible to all, especially those who have been historically underserved, Dominican develops academic priorities by centering the needs, strengths and lived experiences of students. Dominican’s culturally responsive curriculum is embedded with Latine identity, themes and history, and provides valuable, real-world learning opportunities outside the classroom that are service- and community-based. Holistic and personalized academic and career advising ensure all students are accompanied and supported on their college journey, from day one to graduation.
Dominican’s development of a Non-Employment-Based Opportunity (NEBO) fellowship, supporting professional development and internships that align with their academic interests and career goals, has earned global recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its innovation. DU has further expanded educational pathways through the creation of the CHARISM alliance, a partnership between Dominican and three other Catholic, Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. This alliance will develop new, high-impact student experiences and academic offerings with greater opportunities to learn and excel across institutions.
Strong partnerships with community-based organizations dedicated to creating pathways to college for Latine students—and others who have been traditionally underserved in higher ed—show these student populations have higher graduation rates than those without a connection to a community-based organization. Equally important to student success is Dominican’s ongoing development of programming, spaces and services that give students a strong sense of belonging, making them eager to learn and contribute within an inclusive environment. And through a culturally sustaining lens, DU’s University Ministry helps students embrace the faith traditions they know, while the PASOS Network creates a dialogue among Catholic colleges and universities for developing culturally sustaining practices rooted in the faith traditions of Latine students and the communities from which they come.
Each of these approaches has created a welcoming campus that fosters success. The university consistently tops U.S. News and World Report’s state and Midwest rankings for improving the social mobility of its students and is ranked among the 20 best colleges and universities in the Midwest. This year, Forbes also recognized Dominican among its top 500 Colleges in America for producing high-earning, successful and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds. And Dominican’s retention rate for first-year students is tied for the highest retention rate among HSIs in Illinois, with graduation gaps between Latine and white students falling far below the state average.
The Seal of Excelencia only confirms Dominican’s student-centered approach that produces real results.
“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.”
Maria Sarango, a first-generation college student with aspirations of pursuing a career in immigration law, has found support, opportunity and empowerment through her Dominican education, which included a term as a student trustee. She was recently named a Launchpad Scholar by Yale School of Law, a program focused on helping improve student access to law school.
“At Dominican, I can focus on the vast opportunities that exist to me,” said Maria, who is majoring in finance and economics with a minor in pre-law. “So often, first-generation students are told to figure things out on their own. But with the support of Dominican, it doesn't feel that way. It feels like en comunidad todo se puede— together, with our community, anything is possible.”
Leaders in higher education, business, government, and philanthropy convened in Washington, D.C., to recognize Dominican University as one of 10 institutions earning Seal of Excelencia certification for the first time.
The Seal of Excelencia was introduced in 2018. Learn more about how Seal of Excelencia certified institutions model the transformation necessary for higher education to ensure Latine, and all, students thrive — and strengthen our nation’s civic leadership and workforce at EdExcelencia.org/seal/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions.
About Dominican University
Founded in 1901, Dominican University is a comprehensive, coeducational Catholic institution with campuses in River Forest and Chicago. The university offers an associate of arts in liberal arts and sciences; bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the Rosary College of Arts, Education, and Sciences, the College of Business, Information Studies, and Technology, and the Borra College of Health Sciences; as well as doctoral programs in information studies and applied social justice.
As Chicago's premier Catholic Hispanic-Serving Institution, Dominican is consistently recognized as a leader in academic excellence and value. U.S. News & World Report ranks Dominican University in the top 20 of Midwest regional master’s level universities, #1 in the Midwest for Best Value and #3 for ensuring the social mobility of its graduates.
About Excelencia in Education
Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers transforming higher education to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. With this network, Excelencia ensures access to excellence by promoting student achievement, informing educational policies, and advancing evidence-based practices to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org