College Excellence Program

#comm_college students bring extraordinary talent, but transfer pathways are often shaped by institutional complexity—not student success. Transfer Playbook 2.0 (w/ @CommunityCCRC) highlights aligning program pathways and instruction for timely completion: thetransferplaybook.org

Better decisions about student success start with better data. The Aspen Prize Benchmarking Tool from Aspen helps colleges compare completion & transfer outcomes across peers, Aspen Prize Top 200 colleges, and national averages. Learn more: as.pn/prizebenchmark…

We’ve named semifinalists for the 2027 Aspen Prize—selected from nearly 1,000 colleges nationwide. These institutions stand out for strong and improving student outcomes across completion, learning, transfer, and workforce success. Learn more: as.pn/prize

Are colleges doing enough to ensure students graduate into meaningful opportunity? This month's edition of College 3.0 explores the growing “value agenda,” plus Aspen Prize semifinalists and new research on advising and pathways. Read more: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitute…

From nearly 1,000 community colleges nationwide, just 25 have been named semifinalists for the $1M #AspenPrize—recognized for strong and improving student outcomes. Learn more: as.pn/prize

⛰️ This week in Aspen, we hosted the final session of Cohort 10 of the Rising Presidents Fellowship—marking the close of their program journey. These leaders are leaving with sharpened strategies for student success at scale and a strong alumni network. as.pn/risingpresiden…

Transfer is no longer a side road in higher ed—it’s a main pathway, too many students still lose time, credits, and momentum. @comm_college’s analysis highlights the challenges & points to solutions like the Transfer Playbook 2.0: ccdaily.com/2026/04/the-co… | thettransferplaybook.org

What are we taking away from @AACC’s Annual Conference? A focus on post-completion outcomes and value. Aspen sessions explored strengthening workforce programs, pre-health pathways, and transfer partnerships that support student success. Learn more: highered.aspeninstitute.org

📅 We’re in Seattle for #AACC2026! Join Aspen sessions on workforce programs, pre-health pathways, and transfer partnerships. See the full schedule: aaccannual.com/final_schedule… @comm_college

In his latest Substack, Josh Wyner argues that higher ed reform efforts often overlook a key factor in improving student outcomes: leadership. He lays out why developing, selecting, and supporting presidents must be a national priority: joshwyner.substack.com/p/why-we-need-…

Leaders from Queens, Queensborough, and LaGuardia colleges joined CUNY’s STEP signing ceremony to strengthen transfer pathways—supported by the Aspen-AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive.

Aspen’s updated benchmarking tool gives colleges a free way to compare outcomes, spot gaps, and learn from top performers. Colleges that haven’t authorized their data should do so to get the full picture. highered.aspeninstitute.org/tools-and-rese…

This Community College Month, AASCU is celebrating partnerships that power transfer success. Through the @AspenHigherEd – AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive, institutions are strengthening pathways and improving outcomes. More: tinyurl.com/4kzhub6u #HigherEd #CCMonth

We’re hiring! The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program is seeking a Finance Manager to lead budgeting, support project teams, and translate financial data into strategy. Join a mission-driven team advancing student success. Learn more & apply: aspeninstitute.org/about/our-care…

Colleges can’t improve what they can’t measure. March’s College 3.0 highlights expanded benchmarking for part-time & transfer outcomes, workforce-aligned reforms, and the 3rd cohort of the Presidents Fellowship. Read: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitute…

How can presidents & trustees better align governance with student success? The Presidents & Trustees Collaborative supports community college leadership teams in strengthening board-president alignment and sustaining reform. Deadline extended: April 6. highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/presi…

Our team came together for Home Week to shape priorities for the year ahead—and reflect on 15 years of the College Excellence Program at @AspenInstitute. We’re energized to keep advancing student success and economic mobility. Learn more: highered.aspeninstitute.org

Mississippi is reviving adult degree completion efforts—but completion alone isn’t enough. In Mississippi Today, our Josh Wyner emphasizes the need for degrees that lead to real opportunity. mississippitoday.org/2026/03/23/uni…

Congratulations to the presidents selected for Cohort 3 of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship! Proud to partner with @JPMorganChase in supporting these leaders advancing excellence and driving meaningful reforms. Learn more: as.pn/presidentsfell… #PresFellow

"This isn’t traditional board training—it helps presidents & trustees focus on student outcomes and turn priorities into action.” Applications for the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative close March 30: highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/presi…