Dalton State College has earned the Seal of Excelencia —becoming the first college in Georgia to receive this national recognition from Excelencia in Education, a national leader in promoting data-driven student success strategies in higher education.
“Earning the Seal is a meaningful honor that reflects Dalton State’s unwavering commitment to transforming lives through education. It’s more than a recognition—it’s an affirmation of our mission to serve all students and empower them to reach their full potential,” Dalton State President John Fuchko said. “It also symbolizes the shared impact we make in collaboration with students, employees and community partners. Whether through student-led peer mentoring and campus engagement events or workforce development, service learning and internships, it highlights our collective efforts to shape a stronger, more vibrant region.”
Institutions certified with the Seal of Excelencia produce outsized impact on student outcomes — representing less than 1% of all colleges and universities in the U.S., yet enrolling 7% and graduating 8% of all students, as well as enrolling 16% and graduating 18% of Latino students nationwide, according to Excelencia in Education.
“Our students come from many backgrounds but they hold in common a desire to better their own lives and those of their community through education. Whether from northwest Georgia or across the globe – we intentionally serve all our students of whom many are first generation,” Fuchko said. “Almost all of our students work, and, as an access institution, almost half require some form of focused academic support. When they join our college, we strive to meet them in this journey through an affordable and quality education where over 80% graduate with no debt. Furthermore, our efforts, inspired in so many ways by our Seal of Excelencia work, have resulted in an almost an 11% increase in retention over the past two years.”
The seal is a rigorous certification, not an award or ranking. The seal framework aligns data, practice, and leadership to help institutions implement comprehensive approaches that provide institutional value to students, their families, and their communities.
“Seal of Excelencia certified institutions are investing in transformation, ensuring access to excellence, and becoming places where Latino, and all, students thrive,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education. “These institutions have made demonstrable efforts to ensure students’ return on investment in a degree while cultivating talent that fuels our country’s future.”
Fuchko, along with Jami Hall, vice president for student enrollment and success, and Elizabeth Hutchins, assistant provost and assistant vice president for student success, attended the ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 30, when Dalton State was recognized during Excelencia’s annual meeting.
“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. Through our collaboration, we build talent for our country’s workforce and civic leadership,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education.
Learn more about the Seal of Excelencia certification at EdExcelencia.org/seal/seal-excelencia-certified-institutions.
