From Program Participants to Transformational Leaders

CHCI Shapes Latino Leaders Who Shape Our Nation

CHCI alumni describe their experience in their program as life-changing—one that propelled their careers, elevated their economic opportunities, and ignited their confidence to lead and drive change. Findings from the 2023 Alumni Survey and spring 2025 interviews with alumni also reveal their deep civic engagement and strong understanding of how policy and government work.

CHCI: An engine of social mobility

Sixty-four percent of the incoming 2009-2022 cohorts originated from the lowest income tier, and yet went on to achieve remarkable educational and career success. Eighty percent of CHCI Alumni hold at least an undergraduate degree—nearly double the rate for Latinos nationwide. Alumni also surpass the general Latino population in income, with 78% of them earning in the middle to high ranges.

Cultivating Knowledgeable, Civic-Minded Leaders

CHCI Alumni are both leaders and changemakers. Nearly 40% serve as middle managers, and 8% hold senior leadership roles such as vice president, CEO, or president. They bring deep expertise—43% understand how government and policy work, and 28% excel in community organizing. Some are knowledgeable in STEM fields (14%), education and humanities (15%).

Building the Next Generation of Latino Leaders

Alumni overwhelmingly agree that their CHCI experience strengthened their Latino identity, deepened their connection to their communities, expanded their knowledge of political issues affecting Latinos, and empowered them to lead.

CHCI Alumni Lead in Civic Engagement

From electoral campaigning (41%) to holding appointed positions (4%), CHCI alumni outpace even the most civically engaged Latino college graduates nationwide.

CHCI Alumni political activism

2019 Latinx
college grads

CHCI
Alumni

Electoral campaigning

-

41%

Holding appointed positions

1%

4%

Campaigning for office

6%

4%

Note: Unleashing Leadership Report provides a detailed description of the methodology, analysis, and results of this project.