April 27, 2022 – OLYMPIA, Wash., South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) was today announced as one of 25 semifinalists competing for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The $1 million Aspen Prize is the nation’s signature recognition of community colleges that are achieving high, improving, and equitable outcomes for students.
In years past, only ten finalists have been named by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program on the road to the winner. This additional milestone in the award selection process is designed to highlight the increased number of colleges across the country doing excellent work. The winner will be announced in the spring of 2023.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the Aspen Institute,” said Dr. Timothy Stokes, president of SPSCC. “Our staff and faculty have been doing incredible work to build systems that support both student access and success while tackling systemic barriers every day so that our students can get in, stay in, and complete their education. This is truly a testament to the value of that work.”
About the Aspen Institute
The Aspen Prize is generously funded by Ascendium, the Joyce Foundation, JPMorgan, and the Kresge Foundation.
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices, policies, and leadership that significantly improve student outcomes, especially for the growing population of low-income students and students of color on American campuses.
The Aspen Institute is a community-serving organization with global reach whose vision is a free, just, and equitable society. For 70 years, the Institute has driven change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the world’s greatest challenges. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Institute has offices in Aspen, Colorado, and New York City, and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
*This release was written by the Aspen Institute with contributions from SPSCC staff.
