The university’s efforts to promote the importance and value of higher education has gained it more national recognition. The Upward Bound program at Cal State San Bernardino has been recognized as one of Excelencia in Education’s 2024 Examples of Excelencia in the Baccalaureate Level, placing among four national finalists.

Upward Bound was honored the Excelencia at Celebración de Excelencia, Excelencia in Education’s annual recognition event in Washington, D.C., last month. It was one of 103 submissions representing institutions and organizations across 20 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The programs were evaluated in four categories: associate, baccalaureate, graduate and community-based organizations.

This year’s finalists demonstrate an intentional and aligned approach in supporting Latino and other post-traditional students academically, financially and socially. These efforts lead to improved retention and persistence rates as students work toward credit and degree completion. Practitioners and leaders can look to the 2024 Examples of Excelencia finalists as models of what is possible when you intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. 

“Participating in Examples of Excelencia allows practitioners to assess and share the impact of their program on Latino participants,” said Adriana Rodriguez, chief operating officer and vice president for institutional programs at Excelencia in Education. “Excelencia applauds this year’s finalists for ensuring their programming intentionally serves Latino students in comprehensive and asset-based ways to support them to and through college.”

CSUSB’s Upward Bound program, part of the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO Programs, provides educational and personal support to help high school students from low-income backgrounds graduate and pursue higher education. The program serves students from Rialto, Eisenhower, Carter, San Bernardino, Pacific, and Arroyo Valley high schools.

The Upward Bound Success Center offers tutoring, academic advising, mentoring and coaching to boost student performance. Its Summer University program provides an immersive academic experience with rigorous coursework and the opportunity for students to live on campus, offering a preview of college life.

Details of the honored programs are available in Excelencia’s Growing What Works Database, a searchable resource for institutional leaders, policymakers and others seeking evidence-based strategies to support Latino students.