Harold Washington College Earns Seal of Excelencia for Ensuring Students Thrive Before and Beyond Graduation

Seal-Certified Institutions Lead the Nation in Degree Completion, Connecting Students to Opportunity and Strengthening Our Communities and Workforce

CHICAGO- (October 27, 2026) - Excelencia in Education announced today that Harold Washington College has earned the Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating continuous improvement in Latine, and all, student outcomes.

As one of 21 colleges and universities to earn the Seal in 2026, Harold Washington College 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 Latine students - and enroll and graduate 8% of all students.

"Harold Washington College earning the Seal of Excelencia for the first time shows what is possible when we work to remove barriers and expand opportunities for our students," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "By creating an environment where Latine students can pursue and complete their education, we are making our public colleges more accessible and more responsive to the students and communities they serve."

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 - Harold Washington College is strengthening capacity to serve all of our students.

"Harold Washington College is proud to earn the Seal of Excelencia. This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff and faculty, who support our students throughout their academic journeys and beyond," said President Daniel López, Harold Washington College. "This recognition also reaffirms our commitment to supporting our Latine community and, in doing so, improving outcomes for all students. We are proud of the opportunities we have created, recognizing there is still more work to be done, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to remain student-centered and finding new ways to improve student 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 Harold Washington College earned the Seal of Excelencia, President López 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, Harold Washington College 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 Harold Washington College as one of 10 institutions earning Seal of Excelencia certification for the first time. In addition, seven institutions earned Seal recertification including Richard J. Daley College, and four earned certification as Intentionally Thriving Institutions (ITI) for demonstrating positive impact in preparing and connecting students to the workforce.

Harold Washington College drives student success through its ambitious The Harold Promise strategic plan. To achieve its goal of a 55% completion or transfer rate by 2032, HWC streamlines academic transfer pathways that feature rapid transcript evaluations, curriculum alignment with four-year universities, and mandatory first semester advising and partnering with One Million Degrees to support the individual needs of students.

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

Media contact: Veronica Resa, dir. of Media Relations, City Colleges of Chicago, [email protected]

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About Harold Washington College

Harold Washington College (HWC) is an independently accredited institution located in downtown Chicago and serves nearly 10,000 students. The spirit of the city's former mayor is embedded in the college's purpose: in his honor, HWC aims to uplift the Chicago community through accessible and affordable academic advancement, career development, and personal enrichment. HWC is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority-Serving Institution, with more than 75% of its student population identifying as Latine or Black. The college offers an exceptional liberal arts and sciences curriculum, as well as signature programs in Business, Early Childhood, Architecture, and Digital Media. As the city's premier transfer institution, HWC boasts high rates of transfer to four-year universities. Additionally, the college has program partnerships with leading industry organizations, including but not limited to Aon, Chicago Architecture Center, Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, Chicago Loop Alliance, Joffrey Ballet, and Zurich.

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