Patrick & Henry Community College Named Among 200 Eligible for $1 Million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence
- BTW21
- 36 minutes ago
- 2 min read
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Aspen Institute has named Patrick & Henry Community College (P&HCC) among the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the prestigious $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of achievement and performance among two-year colleges.
The award, first established in 2010, is now in its ninth cycle and highlights community colleges that demonstrate exceptional student outcomes, including strong retention, completion, and post-graduation success.
“I am thrilled that P&HCC has been selected as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence,” said Dr. Greg Hodges, President of P&HCC. “This is a tremendous honor and speaks to the incredible work our employees undertake every day to ensure we are providing outstanding education and training so that our students have clear pathways to economic and social mobility.”
The Aspen Institute selected the 200 colleges based on data showing strong student retention, degree completion, and successful transfer rates.
These institutions represent the diversity of the nation’s community colleges—ranging from small rural campuses to large urban institutions—and collectively serve millions of students pursuing both workforce credentials and transfer degrees.
“The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students—completing degree programs that 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.”
Over the next 20 months, eligible colleges will undergo a rigorous review process leading up to the announcement of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027.
The assessment will consider key factors such as student retention, completion rates, post-graduation employment and wages, and the implementation of proven, scalable student success practices.
Community colleges educate roughly 40 percent of all U.S. undergraduates, yet national completion rates remain a challenge.
The Aspen Prize aims to highlight and celebrate colleges that are breaking through these barriers—advancing student achievement, promoting economic mobility, and strengthening communities.
“Among these 200 colleges are some really special places that deliver strong and improving outcomes for students across the board,” Wyner added. “Our job over the coming 20 months is to identify which of these stand out so we can not only honor them but also share their practices with others nationwide.”
The process will culminate in a series of selection milestones, including the announcement of semifinalists in April 2026, finalists in June 2026, and the ultimate Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence is generously funded by Ascendium Education Philanthropy and The Joyce Foundation.
Previous winners include Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (2025), Amarillo College (2023), and Valencia College (2011), among others.
For a full list of eligible institutions and details on the selection process, visit as.pn/prize.