$1 Million Prize Honors Colleges Achieving Strong Student Results, Both in College and After Graduation
The Aspen Institute named Ozarks Technical Community College as one of the top 200 community colleges in the nation 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 Aspen Prize honors colleges with outstanding student outcomes in areas such as retention, completion, transfer and bachelor’s degree attainment. Since its inception in 2010, the Aspen Prize has recognized community colleges that deliver equitable access and strong post-graduation success for their students.
“We are honored to be recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top community colleges in the nation,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, Chancellor of Ozarks Tech. “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff who live the college’s mission every day by helping students succeed and strengthening the communities we serve across southwest Missouri.”
Institutions were selected based on publicly available student outcomes data, including data voluntarily submitted through the National Student Clearinghouse to measure completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment rates.
“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.”
Over the next 20 months, eligible colleges will participate in a rigorous selection process that includes analysis of student success and labor market outcomes, as well as evaluation of institutional practices that improve equitable student achievement. The 2027 Aspen Prize winner will be announced in spring 2027. To learn more about the Aspen Prize and view the full list of eligible colleges, visit the Aspen Prize homepage.
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The Ozarks Technical Community College system offers accessible, affordable, and high-quality education that helps students prepare for the workforce or transfer to a four-year institution. With six locations across southwest Missouri, Ozarks Tech serves more than 15,000 students each year through technical, general education and workforce development programs. Learn more at otc.edu.
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes—with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society as a whole. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and X.
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.