New Report: Rural Community College Excellence

Rural community colleges are more than education providers; they are essential hubs in their regions, generating opportunities for economic mobility and driving talent development. Our new report includes dynamic examples from across the country.

Announcing the 10 colleges selected of Unlocking Opportunity!

A first-of-its-kind initiative reflecting the next wave of the community college reform: a bold focus on excellence and equity in post-completion outcomes.

Announcing the 2023 Aspen Prize finalists!

These 10 colleges lead the way, innovating and collaborating to achieve strong, improving, and equitable student outcomes.

Improving the Path to Transfer

Colleges rely on articulation agreements to improve transfer pathways, but they don’t solve the problem. A new analysis shows how student-centered alternatives can to yield better transfer outcomes.

A higher standard of excellence

The Aspen Institute's College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices and leadership that significantly improve student learning, completion, and employment after college—especially for the growing population of students of color and low-income students on American campuses.

We support colleges and universities in their quest to achieve a higher standard of excellence, delivering credentials that unlock life-changing careers and strengthen our economy, society, and democracy.

We know it takes visionary college leaders to achieve this higher standard and we make it our mission to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and research-backed tools to inspire change, shift practice, and advance the capacity of colleges to deliver excellent and equitable student outcomes.

“My community college changed my life.”

Students at the 2021 Aspen Prize finalist institutions share how they have been set up for success.