Deborah Santiago

Deborah Santiago is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Excelencia in Education, an organization dedicated to accelerating Latino student success in higher education. She co-founded Excelencia in 2004 with the mission to inform policy, compel action, and collaborate with stakeholders to improve educational outcomes for Latino students and all learners.

Professional Background

With over 20 years of experience, Santiago has been a prominent advocate for educational equity. Her career includes significant roles such as:

• Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, where she worked to enhance educational opportunities for Latinos.
• Policy Analyst at the Congressional Research Service, focusing on federal legislative issues in higher education.
• Vice President for data and policy analysis at the LA County Alliance for Student Achievement.

Santiago's work has garnered attention from major media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Forbes, establishing her as a national expert on Latino educational achievement. She also serves on various boards, including the Board of Visitors for the University of Mary Washington and the Advisory Board of TheDream.US.

Contributions and Vision

Santiago's leadership at Excelencia in Education emphasizes evidence-based practices and data-driven policy recommendations aimed at increasing enrollment and completion rates among Latino students. Under her guidance, Excelencia has become a trusted source for research and analysis on higher education policy.

Her innovative approach advocates for a shift in how institutions serve Latino students, focusing on strengths rather than deficits. Santiago is committed to pushing educational institutions to be more accountable and effective in their support of all students.

Personal Insights

Raised in a military family with Puerto Rican roots, Santiago's personal experiences have shaped her dedication to improving educational access. She is known for her passionate advocacy and commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment that recognizes the unique challenges faced by Latino students.

In summary, Deborah Santiago stands out as a visionary leader in education reform, particularly regarding Latino student success, making significant strides toward equitable higher education policies.