Broward College and Tallahassee Community College Named Aspen Prize Finalists
June 9, 2020
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Broward College and Tallahassee Community College Named Aspen Prize Finalists
~ Award recognizes high achievement and performance ~
Tallahassee, Fla., June 9, 2020 – Once again the Florida College System (FCS) receives national recognition with two colleges named in the top ten finalists by the Aspen Institute for the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Broward College and Tallahassee Community College have been selected as finalists for their dedication to student success and continuous performance improvement.
Since being created in 2011 and for six consecutive award cycles, Florida colleges have been selected as finalists (the top 10) for the Aspen Prize 13 times from approximately 1,000 community colleges nationwide through a rigorous evaluation process – with four colleges making it to the top prize. Three of the five previous winners have been from Florida, including Valencia College, the inaugural Aspen Prize winner in 2011; Santa Fe College in 2015; and both Indian River State College and Miami Dade College in 2019. This is a remarkable achievement and we are so proud of TCC and Broward College for being selected as finalists.
Focused solely on student access and success, the Aspen Prize recognizes community colleges with exceptional achievements in four areas:
- Student learning;
- Certificate and degree completion while in community college and after transferring to a four-year institution;
- Employment and earnings rates after graduation; and
- Access for and success of minority and low-income students.
“I am absolutely thrilled that Florida colleges are again being recognized at the national level for their continued success and achievements,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “Frederick Douglass said, ‘Education is freedom,’ and our colleges provide the opportunity for every Floridian to realize that freedom and achieve their goals. Having two Florida colleges vie for this prestigious national award, coupled with Florida being ranked first in the nation for higher education for the third year in a row by US News and World Report, is truly a reflection of the system-wide commitment to the success of every student throughout our state.”
“The benefits to Floridians and our state that are realized through our Florida College System cannot be overstated, and I am proud that the sustained work and dedication of Broward College and Tallahassee Community College have been recognized through this prestigious honor,” said Florida College System Chancellor Kathy Hebda. “Our institutions provide open access to excellence, and recognitions like the Aspen Prize are important because they are symbols of the commitment our colleges have to every student, every day.”
Gregory Adam Haile, J.D., Broward College President said, “On behalf of Broward College students, faculty, staff and trustees, we are honored to be named among the top 10 finalists by the Aspen Institute for the fourth time since the Prize was established. We pride ourselves on the relentless pursuit of equitable access and exceptional outcomes for all students, regardless of the barriers. From pathways and holistic advising to partnerships that increase transfers and access for residents from the lowest-income zip codes, we honor our role in advancing education attainment and social mobility in Florida.”
Dr. Jim Murdaugh, Tallahassee Community College President said, “I’m so incredibly proud of our team at Tallahassee Community College as we celebrate being selected as a top ten finalist for the Aspen Prize alongside Broward College. This recognition is both humbling and confirms what we already know, that the success of our students is at the heart of everything we do.”
The winner of the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence will be named in May 2021. Until then, Aspen will work with a team of national experts to collect extensive, additional data and conduct multi-day site visits to the 10 finalist colleges.
For more information on the Aspen Prize, visit http://highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize/.
For more information about the Florida College System, visit http://fldoe.org/schools/higher-ed/fl-college-system/.
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