AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University is proud to be named a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader for 2023 joining only 8% of institutions to receive this designation out of nearly 600 HSIs overall.

AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University has earned the national Seal of Excelencia for its academic success, retention and graduation rates for Latino students. 

St. Edward’s is the only Catholic university, first private university in Texas and second private university in the U.S. to receive this distinguished three-year certification.

St. Edwards, a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) for more than 30 years, has developed an infrastructure and programming to support Latino student success through qualitative and quantitative data. This includes fostering an environment of belonging and support where our students feel accepted and prepared for success on the hilltop and beyond.

“Earning the Seal of Excelencia is a reaffirmation of the accountability St. Edward’s has to inspire our Hispanic and Latino students to pursue their academic goals and achieve them,” said St. Edward’s University President Montserrat Fuentes. “The Seal is a testament of our dedication to our students’ success, because they are our future.”

Commitment to the success of our Latino students begins the moment they arrive on campus and continues throughout their academic journey. The university pairs students with mentors, success coaches and tutors on their path to graduation, as well as providing students with academic opportunities that answer future workforce needs. Additionally, St. Edward’s tracks data on the debt, employment and earnings of our Latino graduates to help ensure our students are leading fulfilling professional lives and have financial stability after graduation.

St. Edward’s has increased financial support for our Latino students which provides access to scholarships, paid internships and experiential learning opportunities that put their knowledge to practice. In Spring 2023, the university received a more than $2.1 million grant from The Hector and Gloria López Foundation (HGLF) that provides full tuition assistance for first-generation Latino college students, as well as a $50,000 grant from the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin (HBAA) in Summer 2023 to establish an endowment providing future financial support opportunities for Pre-Law Hispanic students.

St. Edward’s is one of just 39 institutions, approximately 1% of U.S. colleges and universities, to earn the Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia In Education, a nonprofit with a mission to accelerate Latino student success in higher education. The Seal serves as a roadmap for universities — led by data, practice and leadership — that supports a path toward intentionally serving Latino students and preparing them for success in their professional careers.

About St. Edward’s University

St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,600 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 50 undergraduate, seven master’s degree programs and a doctorate program. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 21 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2024 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #6 in the Best Regional University in the West category.

AUSTIN, Texas — In recognition of September as Hunger Action Month, the Central Texas Food Bank (CTFB) is joining St. Edward's University and the City of Austin to address a critical issue affecting college students in Central Texas: food insecurity.

Made possible by a grant from the City of Austin and sponsorship from the Central Texas Food Bank, the Monarchs Food Pantry will offer 24-hour access to fresh produce, protein, dairy, and shelf-stable food for the St. Edward's University community. This innovative public-private partnership is poised to serve as a model for other campuses across the region in the future, including Austin Community College, the University of Texas at Austin, and Concordia University.

Over 250,000 adult students attend various colleges, including four-year institutions, community colleges, and technical colleges, within the Central Texas Food Bank's service area. Over 50,000 college enrollees, roughly twenty percent, are struggling to secure regular meals for themselves and their families.

“Our goal is to close the meal gap in Central Texas, and this partnership with St. Edward’s University and the City of Austin is a significant step towards achieving that goal and feeding futures,” said CTFB’s President and CEO Sari Vatske. “We appreciate the City of Austin for recognizing this need and helping establish campus pantries.”

Research has shown that college food insecurity disproportionately affects black and Hispanic students, older individuals, financial aid recipients, and those with children. To address this issue, the CTFB, in partnership with St. Edward's University, is showcasing its Monarch Food Pantry located on the campus of St. Edward's University.

“St. Edward’s University believes every student deserves equitable access to nutritious food. Food insecurity negatively impacts both the physical and mental health of students, leading to decreased academic performance and graduation rates,” said St. Edward’s President Montserrat Fuentes. “This collaboration with Central Texas Food Bank and the City of Austin aligns with the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive campus environment for all students.”

In addition, the City of Austin will officially declare Friday, September 22, 2023, as “College Hunger Action Day” as part of its recognition of Hunger Action Month. This proclamation highlights the following key points:

• The Central Texas Food Bank serves over 260,000 people every month in the county region.
• Nearly 170,000 residents in Travis County are at risk of hunger, representing 13.4% of the population.
• Nearly 27 million meals are needed to close the meal gap in Travis County.
• Food insecurity disproportionately affects students of color, financial aid recipients, and student parents.
• Access to fresh, nutritious food is critical for college students' success.
• Short-term nutrition assistance for college students will build a strong workforce for the future.

About St. Edward's University

St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,600 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 50 undergraduate programs, seven master’s degree programs and a doctorate program. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service-learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city.  St. Edward’s has been recognized for 21 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2024 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #6 in the Best Regional University in the West category.

About Central Texas Food Bank

The mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger. Founded in 1981, the Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of more than 250 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving nearly 55,000 people every week. Headquartered in Austin, the Food Bank serves 21 counties in Central Texas, an area about twice the size of Massachusetts. For more information on the Food Bank and its programs, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org.

AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University moved up to 6th place in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Regional Universities in the West category. 

“This recognition reflects our track record of success delivering outstanding student-centric academics that prepare students with experiential learning including internships, research and essential experiences to provide social mobility and lifelong accomplishment,” said St. Edward’s University President Montserrat Fuentes. “St. Edward’s University continuing to ascend once again in these rankings reflects our community’s substantial progress of our Strategic Plan 2027, our vision as a Destination University for a More Just World and our university’s reputation for excellence and distinction.” 

In addition to its overall ranking, St. Edward’s moved up in the rankings from #17 to #7 as a top performing university for Social Mobility, which tracks schools’ successful efforts graduating economically disadvantaged students who receive federal Pell Grants. “At St. Edward’s, students from all backgrounds achieve at the highest levels in rigorous coursework, dynamic campus activities and winning athletic programs. We are ensuring opportunities for social mobility to all Hilltoppers,” said President Fuentes. 

U.S. News has also again ranked St. Edward’s #4 in the Best Colleges for Veterans category and #5 in the Best Value Schools category for 2024. For 21 consecutive years, St. Edward’s has ranked in the U.S. News Best Colleges list. The methodology for the U.S. News ranking takes into account peer assessments of university reputation as well as criteria including student retention and outcomes.

Read more about St. Edward’s as the 6th Best Regional University in the West and our Strategic Plan 2027 progress to becoming a Destination University for a More Just World including new health and sciences academic programs, the largest single research grant in the university history, The Bill Munday School of Business earning prestigious accreditation from AACSB International and many more accomplishments.

About St. Edward’s University

St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,600 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 50 undergraduate, seven master’s degree programs and a doctorate program. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 21 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2024 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #6 in the Best Regional University in the West category.