Nine community and technical colleges in Washington have been named among the nation’s top 150 community colleges by the prestigious Aspen Institute and are now eligible to compete for a $1 million prize.
The nonprofit institute placed the following colleges in the running for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence: Clark College (Vancouver), Everett Community College, Highline College, Olympic College (Bremerton), Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Renton Technical College, South Puget Sound Community College, Tacoma Community College and Whatcom Community College.
The Aspen Institute selected the 150 colleges from a pool of more than 1,000 public two-year colleges across the nation.
The Aspen Prize, awarded every two years, is the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges and recognizes exceptional student outcomes in four areas: student learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings, and high levels of access and success for minority and low-income students.
The colleges have been invited to submit applications containing detailed data on how well their students learn, complete degrees, and get jobs with competitive wages after graduating. Ten finalists will be named in fall 2016. The last round involves an on-site visit by Aspen Institute officials. Prize winners will be announced in early 2017.
“Year after year, Washington state community and technical colleges are placed on the list of America’s top two-year colleges,” said Marty Brown, executive director for the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. “It’s gratifying to see the great work of faculty, staff and students recognized on a national scale.”
The 150 prize-eligible colleges may also nominate exceptional students enrolled in STEM programs that prepare them for high-demand jobs in manufacturing, energy, health care and information technology.
Walla Walla Community College won the 2013 Aspen Prize with co-winner Santa Barbara City College. As a former winner, Walla Walla Community College was not eligible to reapply.
The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues.
