The Aspen Institute Names the First Cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship

WASHINGTON D.C., September 19, 2023 – The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) announced today, a group of innovative leaders from across the country have been selected for the inaugural cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship. This program, made possible with support from JPMorgan Chase, focuses on developing a sustainable and comprehensive reform agenda that advances excellence and equity in student outcomes at scale, supported by systemic internal and external change.

“This is an incredibly important time for community college leadership. In communities across the country, labor markets are evolving, demographics are changing, politics are divided, and trust in higher education is being tested like never before. What so impresses me about the leaders selected for this program is their abiding commitment to developing talent from every corner of their community and to ensuring that students have rewarding lives and careers because of the credentials they earn. Presidents need support and community to transform their institutions into the powerful drivers of prosperity that communities and students need,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “These fellows are joining hundreds of other Aspen Presidential Fellows who, together, give me confidence that community colleges will continue to improve student outcomes.”

Through the year-long program, fellows will work with highly accomplished community college presidents, Aspen leaders, and other expert faculty to analyze their college's outcomes and develop concrete plans inspired by field-leading practices. This diverse cohort of fellows—56 percent women and 44 percent people of color—joins a network of nearly 330 fellowship alumni, 156 of whom are community college presidents today. This growing network represents the next wave of community college reform: leaders with a bold focus on post-graduation success.

The Presidents Fellowship is made possible with philanthropic support from JPMorgan Chase through the firm’s New Skills at Work initiative, which aims to prepare young people for the future of work and meet the growing demand for skilled workers, and JPMorgan Chase's $30 billion commitment to advancing racial equity and driving an inclusive economy.

For bios and photos of the Aspen Presidents Fellows, visit: highered.aspeninstitute.org/meet-the-presidents-fellows/

####

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program supports 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. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners. Learn more at aspeninstitute.org.