Aspen Institute College Excellence Program

🚀 Transfer success is possible—at scale. For over a decade, fewer than 1 in 5 community college students who aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree have achieved that goal. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Earlier this week, we released the second edition of the Transfer Playbook in collaboration with Community College Research Center. As Inside Higher Ed’s Sara Weissman reports, the playbook highlights colleges that are doubling bachelor’s attainment rates for transfer students—and the strategies that make it happen. 📢 The playbook lays out three key strategies for improving transfer outcomes: 🔹 Executive leadership driving strong transfer partnerships 🔹 Aligning curriculum and instruction to streamline degree completion 🔹 Tailored advising and supports that foster trust and engagement The data is clear: When institutions commit to strong transfer partnerships, student-centered advising, and aligned curricula, bachelor’s attainment rates can rise dramatically—transforming students’ lives and career opportunities. Read Sara Weissman’s coverage in Inside Higher Ed: https://lnkd.in/ecTKbP7y 📖 Access the Transfer Playbook: as.pn/TP

🏆 Our next Aspen Prize finalist spotlight: South Puget Sound Community College! Located in Olympia, Washington, South Puget Sound stands out for its commitment to student success. A data-driven approach to teaching and strong wraparound services ensure students get the support they need, from advising to food and housing assistance. The college also excels in career preparation. All Career and Technical Education students complete an internship, and expanded evening and weekend courses make learning more accessible. Its innovative I-BEST model provides extra academic support, helping more students earn credentials and advance in their careers. 👏 Join us as we celebrate all 10 Aspen Prize finalists leading up to the big announcement on April 17! 📺 Register to watch live: https://lnkd.in/eTxmCMse 🔗 Learn more about the Aspen Prize: https://lnkd.in/eiinSRR7

🏆 Spotlighting another outstanding Aspen Prize finalist: Seminole State College of Florida! Located in the Orlando metro area, Seminole State serves 21,000 students and stands out for its exceptional transfer and workforce outcomes. More than half of its students transfer to a four-year college or university—well above the national average—thanks to clear academic pathways and a deep partnership with the University of Central Florida through DirectConnect to UCF, which guarantees transfer admission for eligible students. Seminole State also excels in preparing students for high-demand careers. The college has launched 11 new bachelor’s degrees and collaborates with employers to shape workforce programs in fields like construction management and nursing. 👏 Join us as we celebrate all 10 Aspen Prize finalists leading up to the big announcement on April 17! 📺 Register to watch live: https://lnkd.in/eTxmCMse  🔗 Learn more about the Aspen Prize: https://lnkd.in/eiinSRR7 

👋 ICYMI: Applications are open for the #UnlockingOpportunity network! Early results from the 10 pilot colleges in the Unlocking Opportunity project prove that meaningful reforms can be implemented quickly—reducing the number of students in low-wage pathways and increasing enrollment in high-value programs. Now, Aspen is scaling this work to 50 additional colleges over the next three years. Participating colleges will receive expert support to: 🔹 Set living wage standards and analyze program enrollment data 🔹 Establish bold goals to expand high-value pathways 🔹 Develop and implement strategies that drive strong post-completion outcomes Want to learn more? Join one of our upcoming webinars: 📅 April 11 at 12 PM ET – Explore Unlocking Opportunity classification tools and resources, and learn how they help colleges strengthen student outcomes: https://as.pn/UOtools 📅 April 30 at 3 PM ET – Hear from current Unlocking Opportunity college leaders about their experiences and strategies for success: https://lnkd.in/eksa9pmR Both sessions will include details on the network and application process, plus time for Q&A. 🔗 Explore the network and apply: https://lnkd.in/ej5Nd3FV

📥 The latest College 3.0 newsletter is here! This month, we’re diving into how colleges are scaling proven strategies to increase bachelor’s attainment and improve post-graduation success. Highlights include: 📢 The launch of the new Transfer Playbook—offering concrete strategies for strengthening transfer outcomes, based on research from Aspen and CCRC 🔑 Applications open for 50 more community colleges to join the expanded Unlocking Opportunity network, scaling efforts to increase high-value credentials and transfer success 📊 Aspen joins 87 organizations and researchers in urging Congress to protect critical higher education data, ensuring continued access to benchmarks that drive student success Plus, we’re counting down to the 2025 Aspen Prize announcement on April 17! Join us as we celebrate the nation’s top community colleges. 👇

What if every community college student who aspired to a bachelor’s degree had a real chance to earn one? Right now, only 16% of community college students reach that goal—but it doesn’t have to be this way. The Transfer Playbook 2.0, a collaboration between the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and Community College Research Center, offers proven, research-backed strategies to close the gap between student aspirations and bachelor’s attainment. This second edition builds on years of research and fieldwork to highlight real-world models that make transfer student success a priority. 📖 What’s inside? ✅ How executive-level leaders can prioritize transfer success ✅ Creating clear pathways paired with high-quality instruction ✅ Delivering tailored advising and holistic student supports Thanks to support from NC State Belk Center, College Futures Foundation, ECMC Foundation, and The Kresge Foundation, this essential guide provides actionable steps for institutions to unlock the potential of millions of community college students. Shoutout to the incredible authors behind this work: Tania LaViolet, Kathryn Masterson, Alex Anacki, Joshua Wyner, John Fink, Aurely Garcia Tulloch, Jessica Steiger, and Davis Jenkins. The solutions exist—now it's time to put them into action! 🔗 Read the full playbook: https://as.pn/TP

🏆 Our next Aspen Prize finalist spotlight: San Jacinto College! Serving 45,000 students in the Houston metro area, San Jacinto is a national leader in workforce education. With cutting-edge facilities, industry-aligned programs, and strong employer partnerships, the college ensures students gain the skills needed for high-demand careers. San Jacinto also prioritizes affordability and access. Its Promise Scholarship covers tuition for every FAFSA-completing high school senior in its taxing district, expanding opportunity across the region. 👏 Stay tuned as we continue highlighting all 10 outstanding Aspen Prize finalists leading up to the big announcement on April 17! 📺 Register to watch live: https://lnkd.in/eTxmCMse 🔗 Learn more about the Aspen Prize: https://lnkd.in/eiinSRR7

🏆 Up next in our Aspen Prize finalist spotlights: Northwest Vista College! Part of the Alamo Colleges District in San Antonio, Northwest Vista College serves over 20,000 students and is a national leader in transfer success. Clear program maps, strong advising, and robust support services help more students stay on track and earn associate degrees and certificates at rates that exceed national averages. Beyond academics, the college’s Advocacy Center provides essential resources like food, housing assistance, a clothing store, and mental health services—ensuring students can focus on their learning and a bright future ahead. 👏 Stay with us as we highlight more outstanding colleges leading up to the Aspen Prize announcement on April 17! 📺 Register to watch live: https://lnkd.in/eTxmCMse 🔗 Learn more about the Aspen Prize: https://lnkd.in/eiinSRR7

🏆 Next up in our Aspen Prize finalist spotlights: Northeast Wisconsin Technical College! Serving Green Bay and surrounding rural counties, NWTC is a workforce powerhouse, preparing 15,000 students for high-demand careers. With strong employer partnerships, hands-on learning, and an early alert system that keeps students on track, NWTC leads in student success—boasting high completion rates and strong earnings outcomes. 👏 Stay tuned as we continue highlighting our exceptional finalists leading up to the Aspen Prize announcement on April 17! 📺 Register to watch live: https://lnkd.in/eTxmCMse 🔗 Learn more about the Aspen Prize: https://lnkd.in/eiinSRR7

🔓 Applications are now open to join the #UnlockingOpportunity network! At The Aspen Institute, we believe every student deserves a path to economic mobility—whether through a high-value credential leading to a great job or a seamless transfer to a bachelor’s degree. That’s why we’re expanding the Unlocking Opportunity network to include 50 additional community colleges committed to improving student outcomes. Participating colleges will receive expert support from Aspen and our partners to: ✅ Analyze enrollment data to assess post-completion outcomes ✅ Set ambitious goals to grow high-value pathways ✅ Implement strategies to strengthen low-opportunity programs Ready to transform student success at your institution? Join our info session on March 26 at 1 PM ET to learn more about the network and application process: https://lnkd.in/e3fyAmsU 🔗 Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/ej5Nd3FV