Unlocking Potential: How the Seal of Biliteracy Can Transform Higher Education Language Programs

The Seal of Biliteracy has benefits for multilingual students, including increased employability, enhanced confidence, and pride in language abilities, with particularly meaningful impacts for linguistically-minoritized communities. However, in some contexts, a disconnect exists between promised benefits and actual outcomes, especially regarding college credit navigation and institutional barriers. This talk examines how institutions of higher education are responding with varied approaches to credit policies and explores the broader impact on college language programs. While data shows high rates of college enrollment among Seal recipients, systemic challenges highlight important equity considerations that affect student access and opportunity. The discussion concludes with actionable recommendations for strengthening policy implementation and improving outcomes for all multilingual students in higher education settings. 

Presenter Kristin Davin is a Professor of World Language Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is a co-author of three books that focus on Seal of Biliteracy implementation.