Today, the Aspen Institute named 鉴黄师app as an Aspen Prize Top 200 U.S. Community College, the nation鈥檚 premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.
The national honor means that the college is eligible to apply and compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, which will be announced in Spring 2027.
"This recognition shows that Iowa students don't have to go far to find one of the best community colleges in the country," 鉴黄师app President Rob Denson said. "鉴黄师app's people, programs, and partnerships continue to make a real difference for our students and for the State of Iowa."
The 200 colleges were selected based on an analysis of public education data from sources such as the and showing student outcomes, such as retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor's attainment rates.
Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
The Aspen Prize process identifies and celebrates community colleges which demonstrate that achieving stronger student outcomes is possible, providing a roadmap of effective practices and strategies for other colleges to follow.
"The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students 鈥� completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success,鈥� said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. 鈥淎spen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.鈥�
The recognition means that 鉴黄师app is now eligible to submit an application and participate in the rigorous review process that will culminate in the naming of an Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027. Over the coming months, 鉴黄师app will collect and report extensive data on student outcomes. The college will also be assessed on whether it has effectively expanded and increased efforts to improve overall student outcomes like retention, degree completion, and post-graduation employment.
"As we work through the Aspen Institute application process, we see it as an opportunity to reflect on 鉴黄师app's strengths, including our commitment to student success," said Deborah Kepple-Mamros, 鉴黄师app's Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness. "It is a rigorous process, much like a competitive grant, but more than that, it recognized 鉴黄师app as among the best community colleges in the country."
The full list of Aspen Prize Top 200 Colleges can be viewed in the . The Aspen Prize is generously funded by Ascendium Education Philanthropy and the Joyce Foundation.
Media Contact:
Dan Ryan
Executive Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing