Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
2026 Eligibility & Updates
General Questions
Program Profile Submissions
Submissions Review
What are the new issue areas, and how should program leaders choose one for their submission?
The four issue areas are AI Innovation, Career and Workforce, Teaching and Learning, and Student Support. Program leaders are encouraged to select the area that most closely aligns with the primary focus and demonstrated impact of their program in improving Latino, and all, student success.
Click here to learn more about the issue areas.
Who can participate in the 2026 Examples of Excelencia?
Programs that intentionally serve Latino, and all, students in higher education and can share measurable impact are encouraged to submit. In 2026, Examples of Excelencia will prioritize programs from higher education institutions in the Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network and from community-based organizations.
Questions about eligibility? Contact the Institutional Programs team at Examples@EdExcelencia.org to confirm your institution’s status or learn how to join the E-Action Network.
Can programs that were previously recognized as Programs to Watch or Finalists participate in Examples of Excelencia again?
Yes. Programs that were previously recognized as Programs to Watch or Finalists are eligible to participate in Examples of Excelencia again. In 2026, priority will be given to programs from higher education institutions in the Excelencia in Action (E-Action) network and from community-based organizations.
Do I need to submit a nomination for my own program?
Nominations are no longer needed. To submit your program profile, please visit Submit for Examples of Excelencia.
What is the deadline to submit a profile?
Program profiles must be received by April 20, 2026, at 11:59pm PT.
How are programs recognized and what do they receive?
Please visit Why Participate in Examples of Excelencia? to learn about the opportunities available to programs that participate in Examples of Excelencia.
I’m not sure which Issue area to select. Which one should I choose?
There are four issue areas: AI Innovation, Career and Workforce, Teaching and Learning, and Student Support. If you are unsure which issue area to select, consider starting by drafting your program narrative. Sharing your draft with someone outside your program can offer a helpful perspective and support you in selecting the issue area that best reflects the need your program addresses and its impact on Latino, and all, student success.
What programming does Excelencia offer to support those interested in submitting for Examples of Excelencia?
Excelencia supports practitioners interested in submitting program profiles for Examples of Excelencia through capacity-building opportunities such as submission webinars, workshops, and office hours. These events help institutions identify existing programs, reflect on their impact, and craft a compelling narrative about how they intentionally serve Latino, and all, students.
Click here to learn more and register for Excelencia's capacity building programming.
What tools does Excelencia offer to help me assess my program?
The following tools and resources are available to program leaders looking to assess their program and submission readiness level. Click the links to access each of them.
May I fax, scan, or mail the completed program profile submission form directly to the Excelencia in Education program team?
No, only program profile submission forms completed through our online system will be considered.
What information is required to complete the Examples of Excelencia program profile submission form?
To have a complete submission, programs assess and summarize their work around mission and goals, need analysis and practices, staff and revenue, and evidence of effectiveness. The Examples of Excelencia Program Profile Submission Guide includes a checklist of information you will need to complete in the submission form and provides guidance on creating a compelling profile aligned with Excelencia's review criteria. Only completed submission forms will be reviewed.
Does the program profile submission form contain character or word limits? Does it include spaces?
The program profile submission form has a specific limit on words allowed per section, not a limit on characters. Limits guide programs to be more succinct in telling their story to a larger audience.
If I exit the browser where I am completing my online program profile submission form, will my work be saved?
No, you must save your submission form before exiting your browser by clicking the "Save" button; otherwise, all your progress will be lost. Click “Save” continuously to ensure all work on your submission form is saved. Once you complete your submission form, make sure you receive a confirmation email indicating your submission form was received.
Is there a way I can work on a draft of the form outside of the online system?
Yes. Click here to download a Word version of the submission form.
How will I know if I successfully submitted my program profile submission form??
After submitting the program profile submission form, a confirmation message should appear on your screen. A confirmation email will also be sent to the email you provided in the submission form. If you do not receive either message, please contact our program team at: Examples@EdExcelencia.org.
I received an email confirmation that Excelencia in Education received my program profile submission form. Are there additional steps that I need to take in this process?
No, Excelencia staff will follow up about your submission should they have any additional questions. To learn more about what happens after a program profile has been submitted, please see the Examples of Excelencia Annual Cycle.
Can I make changes myself to a program profile submission form I submitted?
No, you cannot make changes to a completed submission form on your end. Please contact Excelencia's program team at Examples@EdExcelencia.org as soon as possible to request a change.
Why does Excelencia have an external selection committee reviewing finalist programs?
Excelencia receives a high volume of submissions each year. Staff at Excelencia conduct a preliminary review of all submitted profiles, and the strongest narratives advance to an external selection committee where the final decisions are made. A two-step process ensures the selections are fair and impartial.
Who is on the Examples of Excelencia external selection committee?
Our external selection committee changes every year, and is generally assembled from a group of leaders across the nation with diverse backgrounds in education, public policy, workforce development, and philanthropy.
When will I be notified if my program was selected as an Examples of Excelencia Finalist, and when is the scheduled public announcement?
Programs selected as Examples of Excelencia Finalists will be personally notified by Excelencia in Education's program team before the national release of recognized programs. Click here to view the key dates.
How will I know if my program was selected as an Example of Excelencia?
Programs selected as the annual Examples of Excelencia will be personally notified by Excelencia in Education's program team in late summer 2025. The national announcement is made at Celebración de Excelencia, our capstone event held each year in Washington, D.C.
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