RICHMOND — Virginia Community Colleges recently announced 11 of the system’s 23 colleges are now in the running for the $1 million 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
The prize is considered the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges, and this year, a total of 200 colleges from around the country were identified as “eligible” based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment rates.
David Doré, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System, was encouraged by the announcement, given the effort behind the system’s six-year, statewide strategic plan, Accelerate Opportunity. Doré added that the goals and objectives of Accelerate Opportunity underscore what the Aspen Institute considers essential for excellence in community college education.
“We are working diligently to remove barriers to access and are steadily increasing the number of annual graduates in regionally high-demand fields,” he said. “This speaks volumes to our system’s commitment to our strategic plan, and to driving measurable, impactful change.”
Doré also acknowledged that the recognition is a celebration of the success of VCCS students.
“Once they join the workforce and reflect on their community college experience, we want them to feel like they were challenged to accomplish something more than even they thought possible.”
As for the role of employees in helping to secure the recognition, Doré expressed appreciation for a job well done.
“I commend our colleges’ administration, faculty, and staff; our students; and our system office colleagues for this recognition, and for their unwavering dedication to excellence and student success.”
VCCS colleges identified as “eligible:”
- Central Virginia Community College
- Germanna Community College
- Laurel Ridge Community College
- Mountain Empire Community College
- New River Community College
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Patrick & Henry Community College
- Rappahannock Community College
- Southwest Virginia Community College
- Virginia Highlands Community College
- Wytheville Community College
Aspen Prize winners and finalists are selected based on three rounds of intensive data analysis and qualitative research by independent experts and selection committees, VCCS said.
An announcement of 25 semifinalists is expected next spring. The field will be narrowed to 10 in June, with the winner to be announced in the spring of 2027.
