The Chronicle of Higher Education

Dear Commons Community,

It was announced yesterday that Amarillo College and Imperial Valley College will share the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

At a time when community colleges nationally are struggling with declining enrollment and disappointing completion rates, these two community colleges serving large rural sections of Texas and California are seeing impressive gains. 

As reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the $1-million prize, which the Aspen Institute has awarded every two years since 2011, is based on graduation and transfer rates, placement in decent-paying jobs, student learning, and equitable outcomes for low-income and minority students. The prize will be split between the two winners, and the competition is intended to highlight replicable models and practices for other colleges seeking to improve student outcomes.

Amarillo College was selected, in part, because of the success its graduates have found in the job market. Their average wages are $11,000 higher than those of other new hires in the region, the Aspen Institute noted. The judges singled out Imperial Valley because up to 80 percent of its dual-enrolled students attend the college at some point after graduation, and nearly all continue their educations somewhere. Transfer rates to four-year colleges are well above the national average.

“This year’s two Aspen Prize winners both serve large rural areas with high rates of poverty and low rates of educational attainment that, were it not for these colleges and their leaders, might not have the kind of hope for real change,” the Aspen Institute said in a prepared statement.

Congratulations to Amarillo College and Imperial Valley College!

Tony

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