SAN MARCOS (April 29, 2024) Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts accelerating Latino student success in higher education, announced today Dr. Star Rivera-Lacey, Superintendent/President of Palomar College has chosen to affiliate with the national network of Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS).  The network comprises a group of presidents and chancellors who have committed to making their institutions learning environments where Latino, and all, students thrive.

Excelencia formed our network of common cause in 2011 and Presidents for Latino Student Success in 2014 to support institutional leaders who are transforming higher education to make our country stronger with the contributions, skills, and talents of Latino college graduates.  Programs and initiatives that work for Latinos can serve other students as well, and thus the nation at large.

Through the P4LSS network, Dr. Rivera-Lacey will collaborate with Excelencia and other postsecondary leaders to leverage collective expertise and resources, foster partnerships, and amplify current efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education at the national level.

“Institutional leadership focused on intentionally serving Latino, and all, students is the hallmark of the presidents and chancellors in this network,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder, and president of Excelencia in Education.  “We are proud to catalyze and support them as they advance student success and grow talent for our country’s bright future.”

Dr. Rivera-Lacey joins more than 150 leaders that belong to the P4LSS network and lead the nation in enrolling and graduating Latino students.  Although the network represents only 5% of the thousands of colleges and universities across the country, the network enrolls 32%, and graduates 34%, of all Latino students in higher education.

Palomar College is a Hispanic Serving Institution with more than 50 percent of students identifying as Hispanic.  “Palomar College values and respects each of our students’ experiences and supports them to achieve academic success.  In doing so, we are dedicated to creating learning environments where all students excel,” said Dr. Rivera-Lacey.  “We are looking forward to gaining new insights that positively impact our students well beyond their time at Palomar College.”

Excelencia is honored to make common cause with the action-oriented, trendsetting presidents and chancellors who have answered our national call to accelerate Latino student success in higher education and ensure America’s future.  To learn more about the Presidents for Latino Student Success network and other institutional leaders across the country affiliated with Excelencia, visit: EdExcelencia.org/leadership/presidents-latino-student-success

About Palomar College
Palomar College is a public two-year community college in the northern portion of San Diego County that provides education and training to 27,000 students annually.  Palomar College has its main campus in San Marcos and three strategically located education centers in Rancho Bernardo, Escondido, and Fallbrook.  It operates an education site at Camp Pendleton and is one of the largest military serving institutions in California.  At Palomar, students may choose from more than 200 associate degree and certificate programs, complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, train for a career, or enjoy personal enrichment classes for lifelong learning.  www.palomar.edu


About Excelencia in Education
In 2024, Excelencia in Education marks 20 years of service to accelerate Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Excelencia has established a network of results- oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org