Mercedes, Texas (August 14, 2024)— In Excelencia in Education’s 20th year of service to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, the organization announced today that Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement’s Enhancing Career Pathways for Latinos in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Examples of Excelencia. Program finalists are recognized for intentionality in serving Latino students through culturally relevant, evidence-based practices. Enhancing Career Pathways for Latinos in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is among 18 Examples of Excelencia finalists from around the country this year.

VIDA was founded in 1995 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to address high unemployment and workforce skills gaps. With a per capita income of $6.35 per hour, the region struggled as unemployment rose, impacting families and the community. VIDA adopts a holistic, worker-centered approach, providing wraparound services to support each student’s success and employment. Participants undergo skills assessments, receive tailored academic advice and career counseling, and are connected with suitable career pathways. They also receive financial assistance and soft skills training to overcome barriers to higher education. Job placement assistance and follow-up support are provided, with employment tracking for three years post-graduation.

Examples of Excelencia is the only national, data-driven effort to identify, aggregate, and promote evidence-based practices increasing Latino student success in higher education. As a finalist for the 2024 Examples of Excelencia, Enhancing Career Pathways for Latinos in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is a model of what works for higher education leadership seeking asset-based programming that is sustainable, replicable, and data-informed.

“Participating in Examples of Excelencia allows practitioners to assess and share the impact of their program on Latino participants. 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,” said Adriana Rodriguez, COO and vice president for institutional programs at Excelencia in Education.

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA) and the other finalists were selected through a review of 103 program submissions representing colleges, universities, and community-based organizations across 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in four categories: associate, baccalaureate, graduate, and community-based organizations. Since 2005, Excelencia has received over 2,000 program submissions, recognized over 400 programs for their impact, and awarded over $2 million to programs making a positive difference for Latino students across the country.

“We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious national recognition for VIDA’s program from Excelencia in Education. The unwavering support from our community partners and donors enables VIDA to expand its outreach and amplify its impact in accelerating credential attainment among low-income Hispanic students. VIDA fosters economic prosperity in our underserved Latino communities of the Rio Grande Valley by educating one life at a time, providing tailored wraparound support services for college access, persistence, and completion. This recognition is a powerful validation of VIDA’s commitment to educational equity and economic empowerment. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our story and inspire others to invest in the future of our Latino communities, “said Felida Villarreal, President & CEO at VIDA

Programmatic details from all finalist programs will be featured online in Excelencia’s Growing What Works Database — the only national, searchable database for institutional leaders, funders, policymakers, and others interested in evidence-based programming for Latino students.

To see the full list of the 2024 Examples of Excelencia finalists, visit: EdExcelencia.org/what-works-examples-excelencia/examples-excelencia-finalists.

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About Excelencia in Education

Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers 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 accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, informing educational policies with a Latino lens, and advancing evidence-based practices. In 2024, Excelencia marks 20 years of commitment to Latino student success. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org

About Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement

For over 29 years, VIDA has helped more than 6,000 economically disadvantaged valley residents successfully complete career training programs in high demand occupations and achieve self-sufficiency. In 2023, VIDA served 627 participants with an average persistence rate of 96%. Participants entered VIDA’s program earning an average hourly wage of $10.54, but graduated and secured employment with an average hourly wage of over $23.44! This is a true representation of human capital investment and aligning workforce skills with local industry demand. To learn more about VIDA, please visit www.vidacareers.org or call (956) 903-1900.

For VIDA Media Inquiries, please contact: arodriguez@vidacareers.org