AURORA, Ill. — Aurora University’s Summer Orientation and Registration program, known as SOAR, has been named a finalist for the 2026 Examples of Excelencia awards, a national, data-driven initiative that recognizes programs demonstrating evidence of effectiveness in advancing Latino/a and all student success in higher education.
National recognition for local onboarding effort
The finalist designation marks the second consecutive year Aurora University (AU) has been recognized by Excelencia in Education, an organization that positions itself as a leading authority on advancing Latino/a talent and strengthening the workforce and civic leadership across the country. According to AU, SOAR is designed to improve the transition to college for incoming first-year students, with special attention to culturally responsive practices that support Latino/a students and their families.
SOAR was redesigned in 2022 and rebranded in 2025 to address shifting student and family needs following the COVID-19 pandemic and to respond to institutional data that highlighted opportunities to strengthen the first-year experience for Latino/a students. The university said the program offers academic advising, access to campus resources and programming that helps students form meaningful connections before classes begin.
“SOAR serves as the foundation of students’ first-year experience,” said Victoria Buchanan, director of orientation at AU. “Students who feel connected, informed, and supported before classes begin are more likely to persist and succeed.”
What SOAR provides
AU officials emphasize that SOAR is family-inclusive and culturally responsive. The university cites the program’s framework as a key way to promote confidence and belonging for incoming students. Elements highlighted by the university include:
- Academic advising tailored to first-year needs
- Introduction to campus resources and services
- Family-inclusive sessions to engage parents and guardians
- Activities designed to foster early peer and campus connections
Local consequences and context
For Aurora residents — particularly families with students headed to college — the recognition reinforces AU’s stated commitment to student retention and culturally responsive programming. Community leaders and local education stakeholders often look to such initiatives when evaluating postsecondary pathways and support networks for area youth.
While the university describes SOAR as having produced “strong outcomes for all its participants, including significant outcomes for Latino/a” students since its inception, AU has not released specific figures in the announcement. The Excelencia finalist status, however, may increase attention on AU’s first-year efforts and could influence prospective students and families who are weighing options for higher education in the Fox Valley region.
Timeline of program changes and recognition
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2022 | SOAR redesigned |
| 2025 | SOAR rebranded |
| 2026 | Named finalist for Examples of Excelencia |
Excelencia in Education’s Examples of Excelencia program evaluates initiatives that provide measurable evidence of improving outcomes for Latino/a students while benefiting all students. AU’s consecutive-year recognition from the organization signals continuity in the university’s efforts to align programming with student needs post-pandemic.
For Aurora families considering AU, the university’s statement underscores an approach that prioritizes early engagement and support. As AU moves through the national selection process, local observers will be watching whether the finalist status translates into expanded enrollment interest or additional resources to scale the program.
AU representatives noted that SOAR was developed to help students build confidence, connect them with campus services, and foster an early sense of belonging prior to the start of classes, with the goal of improving persistence and long-term success.
