South Louisiana Community College (SLCC) is thrilled to announce that it has once again been recognized in the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, marking the third consecutive time for this esteemed honor. This achievement underscores SLCC's unwavering commitment to excellence in community college education and its dedication to fostering a culture of Everyday Excellence.
The Aspen Prize, awarded every two years, is the nation's most prominent acknowledgment for community colleges throughout the United States. It recognizes the top 15% of two-year colleges across the nation that have demonstrated exceptional achievement in six critical areas:
- Teaching and Learning
- Certificate and Degree Completion
- Transfer and Bachelor's Attainment
- Workforce Success
- Equitable Access to the College
- Equitable Outcomes for Students of Color and Students from Low-Income Backgrounds
SLCC's inclusion in the Aspen Institute’s Top 150 is a testament to the institution's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education and ensuring positive outcomes for all students, regardless of their background. This accomplishment showcases SLCC's continuous efforts to maintain a standard of excellence in the community college sector.
"We are immensely proud to announce that South Louisiana Community College has been named in the Top 150 for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence for the third consecutive time," said Dr. Vincent June, SLCC Chancellor. “This acknowledgment is the result of amazing work over the last several years toward achieving our strategic plan, and it is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our faculty, staff, and students who work tirelessly to ensure that SLCC is a place of excellence and opportunity for everyone. We are proud to be a model of excellence in community college education and will continue to strive for the highest standards of achievement in the years to come."
The Aspen Prize selection process includes submitting additional data and narratives for an intensive review, with the top 10 finalists set to be announced in Spring/Summer 2024. These finalists will participate in site visits to determine the 2025 $1 million Aspen Prize winner.
“The Aspen Prize is rooted first and foremost in an assessment of whether colleges are walking the walk,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “As community colleges face enrollment variations, enroll students with pandemic-related learning loss, and graduate students into a rapidly changing labor market, it is easy to lose track of what matters most. The best community colleges are continuing to focus on advancing the core mission: making sure as many students as possible graduate with credentials that lead to fulfilling careers and reflect the development of diverse talent that communities, states, and our nation need.”
SLCC's commitment to achieving excellence and its dedication to advancing the quality of community college education have been duly recognized through this prestigious Aspen Prize honor.