Fitchburg State University is proud to announce that President Dr. Donna Hodge has been accepted into the Presidents for Latino Student Success (P4LSS) Network, a prestigious national coalition led by Excelencia in Education that brings together college and university presidents who are committed to intentionally advancing Latino student success.
Fitchburg State is only the second four-year institution in Massachusetts to be accepted into this influential network, joining Salem State University in a shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and educational justice.
As part of this milestone, Fitchburg State has also formally enrolled in Excelencia in Education’s Two-Year Journey to Intentionally Serve Latino Students—a structured, evidence-based engagement designed to transform institutional culture, practice, and outcomes. The initiative supports participating institutions in pursuing the Seal of Excelencia, a national certification that recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate significant and measurable efforts to intentionally serve Latino students.
“This moment represents more than a milestone for Fitchburg State—it is a declaration of who we are and who we aspire to be,” said President Hodge. “As a first-generation college student myself, I know how powerful higher education can be in transforming lives. Our enrollment in this initiative is both a moral imperative and a strategic commitment to ensuring that all students are seen, supported, and celebrated. I am honored to stand alongside national leaders in this work and to lead Fitchburg State into this intentional and equity-driven future.”
To support and lead this transformational work, Fitchburg State has appointed the following faculty and administrators as institutional affiliates:
- Dr. Lillian Bobea, assistant professor in the Behavioral Sciences Department
- Dr. Will Cortezia, associate professor in the Education Department
- Dr. Robert Hynes, assistant dean and director of Counseling Services
- Dr. Sean Goodlett, professor in the Economics, History and Political Science Department
- Dr. Beth Swartz, director of TRIO Student Support Services
These leaders will collaborate with Excelencia in Education to advance data-informed strategies, elevate inclusive practices, and foster a culture of student success that reflects the needs and aspirations of the university’s increasingly diverse student body.
As part of the Two-Year Journey, Fitchburg State will:
- Advance a mindset and culture shift to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students
- Improve enrollment, retention, and completion outcomes through strategic interventions
- Strengthen data collection and analysis to better understand student needs
- Build sustained cross-campus engagement with a focus on equity and impact
- Foster collaboration with peer institutions across the country through a shared community of practice
Fitchburg State’s participation aligns with its goal to become a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and reaffirms its long-term vision to be the first-choice institution for students across North Central Massachusetts and beyond.
“Joining Excelencia in Education’s network is not just a recognition of where we are—it’s a bold commitment to where we’re going,” President Hodge added. “We will do this work with humility, rigor, and heart—knowing that when we serve Latino students with intentionality, we serve all students more effectively.”
For more information about Excelencia in Education and the Presidents for Latino Student Success Network, visit www.edexcelencia.org.