Earlier this week, the Aspen Institute named Virginia Highlands Community College as one of the top community colleges in the country. The Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence is the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The 200 colleges were selected based on student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.
“This recognition by the Aspen Institute is really a reflection of our entire Virginia Highlands family,” said Adam Hutchison, President of VHCC. “Every day, I see the passion our faculty and staff pour into helping students reach their goals—and the determination our students bring to build better futures for themselves and their families. Being recognized among the nation’s top community colleges reminds us that what we’re doing here at VHCC is truly making a difference for Southwest Virginia.”
Together, these 200 colleges – including several other community colleges in Southwest Virginia – 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. Unfortunately, some 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 College Excellence Program 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.
“As VHCC students, we already know that Highlands is a great place,” said Molly Hoeppner, a current VHCC student from Chilhowie. “And, now, everyone else knows how special it is too!” Molly continued by adding, “It’s hard to find the words to describe what we hear, see, and feel every day, but you can be sure that we know the difference it is making in our lives – and we couldn’t be more proud of our school.”
For more information about the Aspen Institute and the Community College Excellence initiative, www.aspeninstitute.org.