Sep 30, 2025 CSUCI Earns New Intentionally Thriving Institution Designation of the Seal of Excelencia

Institutions earning the Seal of Excelencia go beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students, and display a level of excellence.

Sept. 30, 2025 - Today, Excelencia in Education, a national leader in catalyzing institutional transformation for student success in higher education, announced that California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) has earned the new Intentionally Thriving Institution (ITI) designation of the Seal of Excelencia. Cal State Channel Islands is one of the first institutions to earn the ITI designation, which extends impact beyond the educational pathway and recognizes positive impact in preparing students for, and connecting them to, the workforce.

Seal of Excelencia certified institutions produce outsized impact on student outcomes - representing less than 1% of all colleges and universities in the U.S. yet enrolling 16% and graduating 18% of Latino students nationwide, as well as enrolling 7% and graduating 8% of all students.

The Seal is a rigorous, data-driven certification, not an award or ranking. Institutions earn the Seal by going beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students, and by taking responsibility and accountability for providing access to excellence. The Seal framework aligns data, practice, and leadership to move institutions beyond isolated programs toward systemic change and investment that provides institutional value to students, their families, and their communities.

As one of the first colleges and universities to earn the Seal of Excelencia, then recertification, and now the ITI designation, Cal State Channel Islands holds itself accountable for ongoing improvement, intentionality, and impact in increasing Latino, and all, student success.

"At CSU Channel Islands, we are deeply honored to be among the first institutions recognized with the Intentionally Thriving Institution designation of the Seal of Excelencia," said CSU Channel Islands Interim President Susan Andrzejewski. "This recognition affirms our intentional commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable learning environment where Latino, and all, students can succeed in college and beyond. Our faculty, staff, and community partners share in this achievement as we prepare graduates who are ready to contribute meaningfully to California's workforce and civic life."

"Seal of Excelencia certified institutions are investing in transformation, ensuring access to excellence, and becoming places where Latino, and all, students thrive," said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education. "These institutions have made demonstrable efforts to ensure students' return on investment in a degree while cultivating talent that fuels our country's future."

Higher education, business, philanthropy, and government leaders in Excelencia's community of common cause convened in Washington, D.C., to recognize Cal State Channel Islands as one of eight institutions to earn the ITI designation. In addition, five institutions earned Seal of Excelencia certification for the first time, and five other institutions earned recertification. A total of 18 colleges and universities earned the Seal in 2025.

"Excelencia is proud to continue to catalyze and support colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia for their impact and intentional efforts to deliver on the promise of higher education for all students. Through our collaboration, we build talent for our country's workforce and civic leadership," said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education.

Before Cal State Channel Islands earned the Seal of Excelencia for the first time in 2019, then President Erika Beck made the decision to join Excelencia's national Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network. The network includes over 200 higher education leaders committed to advancing Latino, and all, student success on their campuses. Institutions affiliated with the E-Action network are eligible to apply for the Seal.

CSUCI advances equity and student success through initiatives such as CI Solutions, which uses data-informed strategies to identify equity gaps and strengthen academic and co-curricular supports, and the annual Plot-A-Thon, a student-centered data competition that builds skills in research, teamwork, and career readiness. These efforts reflect CSUCI's commitment to aligning data, practice, and leadership to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students, while preparing graduates to thrive in the workforce and contribute to the future of the region and state.

Learn more about institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia certification, recertification, and Intentionally Thriving Institution designation this year: EdExcelencia.org/seal/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions.