Â鶹ŮÀÉ proudly celebrated its distinction as one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation as a finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence—the prestigious recognition of achievement and performance among America’s community colleges.
College leaders joined peers from across the nation at the Aspen Prize Award Ceremony, held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., where finalists were honored for their exceptional impact in advancing student success and equity.
“Being named an Aspen Prize Finalist has been an incredible journey,” said Dr. Kristen Raney, president of Â鶹ŮÀÉ. “This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire Â鶹ŮÀÉ community—students, faculty, staff, and our partners—united in the belief that education transforms lives. It’s also a celebration of the progress we’ve made and a call to soar higher. Together, we will continue to enrich lives, strengthen our communities, and pave the way for a bright future.”
Selected from over 1,000 institutions nationwide, Â鶹ŮÀÉ earned this recognition for its consistently strong student outcomes, deep commitment to equity, and success in serving first-generation students, students of color, and learners from lower-income backgrounds. The College’s graduation rate is more than twice the national average, and year-over-year improvements in student retention—especially among historically underserved groups—have exceeded peer institutions.
Awarded every two years, the Aspen Prize honors community colleges demonstrating excellence across six key areas: teaching and learning, completion and transfer, workforce success, broad access, and equitable outcomes for all students.
“The ten finalists for this year’s Aspen Prize exemplify the excellent outcomes that are possible when a college commits to delivering on its promises, both to students and the broader community,” said Josh Wyner, founder and executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “While each has advanced student success reforms in different ways and contexts, these colleges share an unwavering commitment to ensuring that all of their students not only graduate, but earn credentials with value in transfer and the workforce.”
Â鶹ŮÀÉ is one of only two Wisconsin colleges selected as a finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize.
To learn more about the Aspen Prize and this year’s finalists, visit
