News
Arizona Western College earns Seal of Excelencia for ensuring students thrive before and beyond graduation
October 27, 2026Seal-certified institutions lead the nation in degree completion, connecting students to opportunity and strengthening communities and workforce
Yuma, Ariz. (October 27, 2026) – Excelencia in Education announced today that Arizona Western College has earned the Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating continuous improvement in Latino, and all, student outcomes.
AWC is one of 21 colleges and universities this year to earn the rigorous national certification through the intentional alignment of data, evidence-based practices, and leadership strategies to drive student success.
“Earning the Seal of Excelencia is a tremendous honor for Arizona Western College because it recognizes something at the heart of who we are: our commitment not simply to enroll Latino students, but to intentionally serve them and help them thrive,” said Dr. Reetika Dhawan, AWC President. “With more than 75 percent of our students identifying as Hispanic or Latino, this recognition reflects the work of our faculty, staff, students, and community partners to expand access, strengthen student success, and create pathways to opportunity. When our students thrive, our families and communities thrive and that is the foundation of everything we do.”
Seal-certified institutions produce a disproportionate positive impact on students—representing less than 2% of colleges and universities nationwide, but enrolling 16% of Latino students and graduating 18%.
“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.”
In 2025, AWC established the concept of Excelencia as a pillar in the institution’s strategic plan, regularly reviewing disaggregated data to reduce access gaps among Latino, first-generation, rural, and low-income students. As a result, AWC has expanded bilingual outreach, dual enrollment pathways, flexible scheduling, emergency assistance, and stronger student support services for students.
“The Seal of Excelencia shines light on the work of our many faculty and staff who are consistently focused on how to improve outcomes for our Latino students and all of our students,” said Lorainne Stofft, Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the AWC Foundation. “We are deeply committed to the fact that we know higher education is a game changer for families in Yuma and La Paz County, and we love serving these students.”
Melanie Ruiz López is one student whose story reflects the impact of these efforts.
“When I finished high school, there was no option to go to college, not to a private university or a public one,” Ruiz López said. “If it hadn't been for AWC, I wouldn't have gone anywhere. I'm surpassing goals I never even had the chance to dream of.”
Today, Ruiz López lives on campus and studies Administration of Justice with the support of an AWC Foundation scholarship. She plans to continue on to law school.
“Being first-generation, being Latina, being from a different place, at the end of the day none of that mattered,” she said. “All that mattered was that I had the drive to do it and that the opportunity was there. It was up to me whether I took it or not, and I decided to take it.”
As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution, AWC is dedicated to the continuous growth this certification represents, and eager to display the Seal as a sign to every current and prospective student of the college’s commitment to their future success.
Students and the community are invited to join in marking this achievement at a press conference and celebration on Monday, November 9 at 12 p.m. in the South Schoening Conference Center. Refreshments will be provided.
###
About Arizona Western College
Arizona Western College serves Yuma and La Paz counties by offering more than 170 degree and certificate programs, workforce training, and community education opportunities. With 12 different locations and a service area that spans 10,000 square miles, AWC is also exceptionally unique in that it hosts all three state universities on its main campus for face-to-face classes. Committed to transforming lives and creating thriving communities. AWC is committed to doubling the rate of baccalaureate degrees earned in Yuma and La Paz counties by 2035 and is dedicated to its mission of transforming lives through education and partnerships to create thriving communities.
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
Contact:
Lorraine Stofft
Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the AWC Foundation
Arizona Western College
lorraine.stofft@azwestern.edu
(928) 314-9595