$1 Million Prize Honors Colleges Achieving Strong Student Results in College and After Graduation 

The Aspen Institute has named Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) as one of 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. It is the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.  

“This reflects decades of commitment from everyone who has called EICC home — our faculty, staff, and community partners who built a foundation of access and opportunity for students,” said EICC Chancellor Bryan Renfro, PhD.  

“We do this work for one reason: our students. Every decision, every program, every partnership is about helping them succeed. Being recognized among the nation’s top community colleges reinforces that what we do here truly matters,” he added.  

The 200 colleges were selected based on student outcomes data, including retention, completion, and transfer rates. Together, the 200 colleges represent the breadth of the community college sector. They are located in urban, rural, and suburban areas and serve anywhere from a few hundred students to tens of thousands. Some focus primarily on workforce programs, while others focus on transfer and bachelor’s attainment. 

“The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students—completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.  

“At a time when many Americans are struggling to pay their bills, Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real,” he added.  

As a next step, EICC will participate in a rigorous review process that culminates in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027. Over the next 20 months, the colleges that apply will be rigorously assessed based on student outcome data and any engagement in scaled practices that led to high and improving student outcomes. 

Community colleges educate about 40% of all undergraduates. Yet, national student outcomes fall short in the rate at which students graduate and afterward, the percentage that achieve success. Aspen defines success as the ability to secure a good-paying job after earning a community college credential or after successfully transferring and earning a bachelor’s degree. 

Multiple data sources are used to identify achievement in five key areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, employment and wages after graduation, and levels of college access. The Aspen Institute then researches the practices of these top colleges in order to share successful strategies with the field. 

“Among these 200 colleges are some really special places that deliver strong and improving outcomes for students across the board,” Wyner said. “Our job over the coming 20 months is to work with a deep bench of field experts to assess which of these 200 stand out so we can not only honor them with a monetary award but drive attention to the most effective field practices that other colleges can replicate.” 

Eligibility for the Aspen Prize is based on publicly available data. Colleges must show strong and improving student outcomes in first-to-second year retention, credentials awarded, and completion and transfer rates. 

Nationwide, about 20% of community colleges were invited to apply.  

“We’re proud to be among the community colleges recognized for helping students succeed. Over the next five weeks, our team will share the work we do every day — creating programs, pathways, and support systems that help students achieve their hopes and dreams,” Renfro said.  

Next steps include: 

The Aspen Prize is generously funded by Ascendium Education Philanthropy and the Joyce Foundation. 

See the full list of 200 colleges invited to apply

Read more about the selection process

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes—with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society as a whole. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and X. 

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.