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Penn Highlands Named To Top 200 Community Colleges Eligible For The Aspen Prize

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College has been named as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.

The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

“Being nominated for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence is a meaningful recognition of the work our college community does every day to support student success while maintaining the academic rigor necessary for students to thrive beyond their time at Penn Highlands,” stated Dr. Steve Nunez, Penn Highlands President. “This honor reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, and the collaborative spirit that drives our mission to serve our communities. While we remain focused on continuous improvement, it’s encouraging to see our efforts acknowledged on a national level.”

The 200 eligible colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates. Starting in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.

The eligible colleges represent the diversity and depth of the community college sector. Located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the country, these colleges serve anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of students.

“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,” stated 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.”

A list of 25 semifinalists will be announced in April 2026, chosen based on assessments of extensive data and strategy documents by the Prize selection panel, a group of 16 experts in community colleges, higher education, and workforce training, and interviews with institutional leadership teams.

Ten finalists will be selected in June, which will be followed by a visit to each of the ten colleges in the ensuing Fall. The winner will be announced in Spring 2027 at a banquet in Washington, D.C.

For a full list of the top 200 eligible institutions and to read more on the selection process, visit https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize/.

About the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program 
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program supports colleges and universities in their quest to achieve a higher standard of excellence, delivering credentials that unlock life-changing careers and strengthen our economy, society, and democracy. We know it takes visionary college leaders to lead scaled, sustainable reforms, and we make it our mission to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and research-backed tools to inspire change, shift practice, and advance the capacity of colleges to deliver excellent and equitable student outcomes. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter. 
 
About the Aspen Institute 
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, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.