Richard J. Daley College Earns Seal of Excelencia Recertification for Continuing to Ensure Students Thrive Before and Beyond Graduation

Seal-Certified Institutions Lead the Nation in Degree Completion, Connect Students to Opportunity, and Strengthen Our Communities and Workforce

CHICAGO — Excelencia in Education announced today that Richard J. Daley College has earned Seal of Excelencia recertification for demonstrating continuous improvement in Latine, and all, student outcomes. As one of 21 colleges and universities to earn the Seal in 2026, Richard J. Daley College holds itself accountable for delivering value to our students, our community, and the country — reinforcing higher education’s role as an engine of social mobility, economic vitality, and workforce development.

Only 55 institutions nationwide have earned the Seal of Excelencia, but they produce disproportionate, positive student impact and are preparing the talent of today and tomorrow. Seal-certified institutions represent less than 2% of colleges and universities yet enroll 16% and graduate 18% of Latine students — and enroll and graduate 8% of all students.

“The recertification of the Seal of Excelencia at Richard J. Daley College reflects what it looks like when we put our commitment to equity into practice,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This recognition is the result of years of work to strengthen academic pathways and ensure students have the support they need to complete their education and reach their goals. That is how we make our public colleges stronger for our students, their families, and the communities they call home.”

The Seal is a rigorous, national certification earned through the intentional alignment of data, evidence-based practices, and leadership strategies — all leading to student success. By advancing strategies, strengthening practices, and setting measurable goals that deepen mission-driven investment in intentionally serving Latines — who are representative of today’s post-traditional student majority — Richard J. Daley College is strengthening capacity to serve all of our students.

“Earning the Seal of Excelencia recertification proves that Richard J. Daley College’s dedication to Latine student success and all student success is deeply embedded in who we are. It shows that our intentional support and momentum haven’t slowed down, rather, it has actually grown stronger. I am so grateful to our Daley College community for continually stepping up to ensure our students have a truly supportive home to achieve their dreams,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago.

“The renewal validates our meaningful progress for the past two years and reinforces our commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. As a first-generation Mexican American, community college graduate, and now President of Richard J. Daley College, the recertification of the Seal of Excelencia is a profound honor,” said President Isaac Zúñiga, Richard J. Daley College. “All the students we support represent families using education as a pathway to economic mobility and their triumph is our shared victory.”

“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.”

Before Richard J. Daley College earned Seal of Excelencia certification for the first time in 2023, President Zúñiga made the decision to join the national Excelencia in Action network.

In 2026, the network includes more than 140 colleges and universities serving over 4.2 million students in 28 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Among this group, Richard J. Daley College has chosen to become more student-centered and data-informed, leveraging Excelencia’s evidence-based tools, capacity building programming, and community of practice on its journey to Seal certification and recertification.

“Colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia are ensuring talent meets opportunity,” said Sarita Brown, Excelencia in Education Co-founder and President. “They have evolved beyond simply enrolling to intentionally serving Latine, and all, students. That starts with knowing who they serve and creating clear pathways for students to earn a degree. Collectively, Seal-certified institutions model the change possible for higher education to expand access to excellence for students to achieve their goals.”

Leaders in higher education, business, government, and philanthropy convened in Washington, D.C., to recognize Richard J. Daley College as one of seven institutions earning Seal of Excelencia recertification. In addition, 10 institutions earned Seal certification for the first time, and four earned certification as Intentionally Thriving Institutions (ITI) for positive impact in preparing and connecting students to the workforce.

Richard J. Daley College supports students in holistic and individualized ways by addressing both their academic and individual needs to ensure long-term retention and success. The college meets non-traditional and diverse student bodies where they are in their education and in life. Richard J. Daley College offers robust pathways in Advanced Manufacturing Technology, featuring stackable basic and advanced certificates in high-demand fields like CNC machining, welding, mechatronics, factory automation, and computer-aided drafting (CAD). Complementing these technical tracks, the college is part of City Colleges renowned School of Engineering program and provides comprehensive STEM and engineering pathways, allowing students to earn associate degrees with seamless guaranteed transfer agreements to four-year institutions like the Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Illinois’ Grainger School of Engineering, and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Learn more about how Seal of Excelencia certified institutions model the transformation necessary for higher education to ensure Latine, and all, students thrive — and strengthen our nation’s civic leadership and workforce: EdExcelencia.org/seal/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions

Media contact: Veronica Resa, dir. of Media Relations, City Colleges of Chicago, vresa1@ccc.edu

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About Richard J. Daley College

Richard J. Daley College has a primary campus and a satellite campus, Arturo Velasquez Institute. Collectively, these two locations serve approximately 10,000 students annually on Chicago’s Southwest Side. Daley College grants associate degrees and short-term certificates, as well as continuing education classes through special interest courses. Additionally, Daley offers free adult education classes in General Education Development and English as a Second Language. Many of these degrees and certificates provide workforce ready credentials for those students wanting to enter the world of work directly following their academic attainment. Also, the College prepares students to transfer to colleges and universities for attainment of a bachelor’s degree. The Center of Excellence at Daley College is Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, and the state-of-the-art Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Center (MTEC) is located at Daley College. MTEC enables students to participate in hands-on training through the curriculum that prepares them for technological advancements in the engineering and manufacturing industries. With more than 75 percent of our student population identifying as Latine, the College is recognized and designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the United States Department of Education and has earned the Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education.

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 Latine 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 Latine, and all, students. For more information, visit: EdExcelencia.org