UNLV is one of just 18 colleges and universities nationwide to earn the 2025 Seal of Excelencia for its dedication and efforts to improve student success.
The Seal framework aligns data, practice, and leadership to recognize institutions for moving beyond isolated programs toward systemic investment that provides value to students, their families, and their communities.
UNLV earned the Seal, administered by Excelencia in Education, in part for its holistic approach to keep all students, including Latino students, on track and engaged. These efforts have led to record overall enrollment, retention, and graduation rates at the university in recent years. UNLV joins a group of nearly 50 institutions to have earned the Seal since 2018.
“UNLV is honored to be the first institution in Nevada to earn the Seal of Excelencia, and to be a part of a dedicated group of colleges and universities nationwide recognized for their approach to improving student success,” said UNLV interim president Chris Heavey. “UNLV is Nevada’s largest university, and we’re proud to be a part of the success story of a growing number of undergraduates from all backgrounds – more than half of whom will be the first in their family to earn a four-year degree.”
Seal of Excelencia certified institutions produce outsized impact on student outcomes — representing less than 1% of all colleges and universities in the U.S., yet enrolling 7% of all students and 16% of Latino students nationwide. In step with Nevada’s changing demographics, UNLV’s Latino student population has steadily increased in recent years and now represents nearly 40% of the incoming undergraduate class.
UNLV’s recent student success efforts – which contributed to the Seal certification – have been driven by an approach that prioritizes data-informed connections with students early and often, and through initiatives that strengthen academic progress, financial stability, and proactive advising for all undergraduates.
To promote student success across the entire undergraduate population, the university has built a comprehensive suite of programming. This includes “Rebel Ready Week,” a free extended orientation and onboarding week for new students that helped improve overall first-year retention rates from 77.9% to 79.2% after just one year. Additionally, the Rebel Success Hub provides predictive analytics and tools to identify trends and respond to emerging student needs.
Other proactive efforts such as the Rebel Success Scholars program and the First Day textbook initiative help reduce financial barriers, while dedicated peer mentors and student outreach specialists offer support to students most at risk of leaving before degree completion.
These tools and programs, combined with enhanced first- and second-year experience courses, learning support and academic coaching, create a cohesive approach that sustains retention and degree progress for all UNLV students.
“Excelencia is proud to continue to catalyze and support colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia for their impact and intentional efforts to deliver on the promise of higher education for all students," said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. "Through our collaboration, we build talent for our country’s workforce and civic leadership.”
