The Aspen Institute named Kishwaukee College as one of the 200 institutions eligible
to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s
premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The
200 colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention,
completion, transfer and bachelor’s degree attainment rates. Started in 2010, this
is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.
“Kishwaukee College is honored to be recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the
top 200 community colleges in the nation. This distinction reflects the unwavering
commitment of the entire College community to student success, exemplified by achieving
the highest student completion rates in the College’s history. Kishwaukee College
remains steadfast in delivering innovative programs and services that advance the
success of our students and strengthen our region,” said Dr. Laurie Borowicz, President
of Kishwaukee College.
Together, these 200 colleges represent the breadth and diversity of the community
college sector. They are located in urban, rural and suburban areas across the country
and serve anywhere from a few hundred students to tens of thousands. Some of these
colleges focus primarily on workforce programs, while others focus on transfer and
bachelor’s attainment or a combination of the two.
“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. “Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver
the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.”
Community colleges educate nearly six million students. Yet community college student
outcomes fall short in both the rate at which students graduate and the percentage
of students who achieve success after graduation. The Aspen Prize process identifies
and celebrates community colleges that demonstrate that achieving stronger outcomes
is possible, providing a roadmap of effective practices and strategies for other colleges
to follow.
The 200 eligible colleges have been invited to apply and participate in a rigorous
review process that will culminate in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in Spring
2027. Over the next 20 months, the colleges that apply for the Aspen Prize will be
assessed based on student outcomes data, ranging from student transfer and completion
rates to employment and wages after graduation, and whether they have engaged in scaled
practices that led to high and improving student outcomes.
“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 gather a lot more data and 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.”
This is the first time since the inception of the Aspen Prize that 200 colleges are
eligible to apply, growing from 150. This year, in addition to publicly available
federal data, over 600 colleges authorized the use of National Student Clearinghouse
data on their institution’s degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment
rates for full- and part-time students.
The Aspen Institute will announce 25 semifinalists in April 2026 and 10 finalists
in June 2026. The Aspen Prize winner will be announced in Spring 2027.
See the complete list of nominees at highered.aspeninstitute.org. Learn more about Kishwaukee College at kish.edu.