The nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges, the Aspen Prize is sponsored by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program.

According to a national press statement released by the Aspen Institute on November 5, 2019, Saint Paul College’s inclusion in the top 150 colleges eligible for the Aspen Prize was based on strong and improving student outcomes in student learning, completion rates, employment rates, earnings and equity. Saint Paul College was selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 community colleges nationwide.

The top ten finalists for the 2021 Aspen Prize will be named in May 2020. The Aspen Institute will then conduct site visits to each of the finalists and collect additional quantitative data, including employment and earnings data. A distinguished jury will make award decisions in spring 2021.

Previous winners of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence are:

• 2019: Miami Dade College (FL) and Indian River State College (FL)
• 2017: Lake Area Technical College (SD)
• 2015: Santa Fe College (FL)
• 2013: Santa Barbara City College (CA) and Walla Walla Community College (WA)
• 2011: Valencia College (FL)

For a full list of the top 150 eligible institutions and to read more on the selection process, visit The Aspen Institute online.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices, policies, and leadership that significantly improve student outcomes, especially for the growing population of low-income students and students of color on American campuses. For more information, visit The Aspen Institute's website, check them out on Linkedin, or follow them on Twitter. The Aspen Prize hashtag is #AspenPrize.

The Aspen Institute is a community-serving organization with global reach whose vision is a free, just, and equitable society. For 70 years, the Institute has driven change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the world’s greatest challenges. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Institute has offices in Aspen, Colorado, and New York City, and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.