Today, the Aspen Institute named South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) as one of the 200 institutions 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. In Aspen’s 2025 prize cycle, SPSCC was ultimately recognized as top three in the nation and named “Finalist with Distinction”.
This is the first time since the inception of the Aspen Prize that 200 colleges are eligible to apply, growing from 150. This year, in addition to publicly available federal data, over 600 colleges authorized the use of National Student Clearinghouse data on their institution’s degree completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates for full- and part-time students. This is the fifth consecutive time that Aspen has named SPSCC in the top 200.
“Being named one of 200 colleges eligible for the Aspen Prize yet again is a powerful affirmation of the continued excellence our students, faculty, and staff bring to our community,” said Dr. Timothy Stokes, President of SPSCC. “Following our recognition as a Finalist with Distinction, this continued momentum reflects our unwavering commitment to student success, equity, and ensuring our community remains a thriving economic hub in the South Sound region.”
The 200 colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, and transfer rates. As a next step, the 200 eligible colleges have been invited to participate in a rigorous review process that will culminate in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027. Over the coming 20 months, the colleges that apply for the Aspen Prize will be rigorously assessed based on (1) student outcomes data, ranging from student retention and completion rates to employment and wages after graduation, and (2) whether they have engaged in scaled practices that led to high and improving student outcomes.
The Aspen Prize is generously funded by Ascendium Education Philanthropy and the Joyce Foundation.
To read more about the selection process, visit as.pn/prize.
About SPSCC
Recognized as a top three community college in the U.S. by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, SPSCC serves around 8,000 students each year. The college serves people from all backgrounds and meets them where they are, connecting them to Pathways and classes to reach their goals. Whether that’s landing a new job, learning a new skill, earning a degree, or transferring to a university, SPSCC is dedicated to helping students on their journey toward an amplified future.
About the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program
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.
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.