Better decisions about student success start with better data. The Aspen Prize Benchmarking Tool from Aspen helps colleges compare completion & transfer outcomes across peers, Aspen Prize Top 200 colleges, and national averages. Learn more: as.pn/prizebenchmarking

We’ve named semifinalists for the 2027 Aspen Prize—selected from nearly 1,000 colleges nationwide. These institutions stand out for strong and improving student outcomes across completion, learning, transfer, and workforce success. Learn more: as.pn/prize

Congratulations to all of the semifinalists and to @aspenhighered.bsky.social for its continued leadership in elevating the impact of community colleges nationwide! #AspenPrize #HigherEd

Are colleges doing enough to ensure students graduate into meaningful opportunity? This month's edition of College 3.0 explores the growing “value agenda,” plus Aspen Prize semifinalists and new research on advising and pathways. Read more: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu...

From nearly 1,000 community colleges nationwide, just 25 have been named semifinalists for the $1M #AspenPrize—recognized for strong and improving student outcomes. Learn more: as.pn/prize

⛰️ This week in Aspen, we hosted the final session of Cohort 10 of the Rising Presidents Fellowship—marking the close of their program journey. These leaders are leaving with sharpened strategies for student success at scale and a strong alumni network. as.pn/risingpresidents

Transfer is no longer a side road in higher ed—it’s a main pathway, but too many students still lose time, credits, and momentum. AACC's new analysis highlights the challenges and points to solutions like the Transfer Playbook 2.0: www.ccdaily.com/2026/04/the-... | thettransferplaybook.org

What are we taking away from AACC’s Annual Conference? A focus on post-completion outcomes and value. Aspen sessions explored strengthening workforce programs, pre-health pathways, and transfer partnerships that support student success. Learn more: highered.aspeninstitute.org

📅 We’re in Seattle for #AACC2026! Join Aspen sessions on workforce programs, pre-health pathways, and transfer partnerships. See the full schedule: aaccannual.com/final_schedu...

In his latest Substack, Josh Wyner argues that higher ed reform efforts often overlook a key factor in improving student outcomes: leadership. He lays out why developing, selecting, and supporting presidents must be a national priority: joshwyner.substack.com/p/why-we-nee...

Leaders from Queens College, Queensborough Community College, and LaGuardia Community College joined City University of New York’s STEP signing ceremony to strengthen transfer pathways—supported by the Aspen-AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive. thetransferplaybook.org/

Aspen’s updated benchmarking tool gives colleges a free way to compare outcomes, spot gaps, and learn from top performers. Colleges that haven’t authorized their data should do so to get the full picture. highered.aspeninstitute.org/tools-and-re...

This Community College Month, AASCU is celebrating partnerships that power transfer success. Through the @aspenhighered.bsky.social – AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive, institutions are strengthening pathways and improving outcomes. Learn more: tinyurl.com/4kzhub6u #HigherEd #CCMonth

We’re hiring! The Aspen Institute College Excellence program is seeking a Finance Manager to lead budgeting, support project teams, and turn data into strategy: www.aspeninstitute.org/about/our-ca...

Colleges can’t improve what they can’t measure. March’s College 3.0 highlights expanded benchmarking for part-time & transfer outcomes, workforce-aligned reforms, and the 3rd cohort of the Presidents Fellowship. Read: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitute/college-30-march-2026

How can presidents & trustees better align governance with student success? The Presidents & Trustees Collaborative supports community college leadership teams in strengthening board-president alignment and sustaining reform. Deadline extended: April 6. highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/pre...

Mississippi is reviving adult degree completion efforts—but completion alone isn’t enough. In Mississippi Today, our Josh Wyner emphasizes the need for degrees that lead to real opportunity. mississippitoday.org/2026/03/23/u...

Congratulations to the presidents selected for Cohort 3 of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship! Proud to partner with JPMorganChase in supporting these leaders advancing excellence and driving meaningful reforms. Learn more: as.pn/presidentsfellowship #PresFellow

"This isn’t traditional board training—it helps presidents & trustees focus on student outcomes and turn priorities into action.” Applications for the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative close March 30: highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/presidents-trustees-collaborative

🚀 Excited to join AACC's Annual Conference in Seattle, WA! Aspen will host sessions on workforce programs, pre-health pathways, and transfer partnerships. Learn more: aaccannual.com/final_schedu...

Applications for the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative close March 30! Open to alumni of Aspen’s presidential fellowship programs and their boards, this experience supports aligned governance to sustain student success. Apply: highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/presidents-trustees-collaborative

Strong alignment between presidents and trustees is key to student success. Dr. McMenamin experienced how the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative builds engagement and ensures outcomes-focused governance. Apply by March 30: highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/presidents-trustees-collaborative

At DREAM 2026, Aspen brought together Fellowship alumni to celebrate the strength of our community and honor Karen Stout at her final conference as @achievingthedream.bsky.social President and CEO—reminding us how committed leaders can make an extraordinary difference for students.

ICYMI: In last week's edition of College 3.0, learn how we’re expanding bachelor’s attainment, addressing the nursing shortage, and strengthening transfer pathways in Maryland and beyond. Read: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitute/college-30-feb-2026 Subscribe: highered.aspeninstitute.org/contact

Want lasting student-success reforms at your college? The Aspen Presidents & Trustees Collaborative helps presidents & trustees align on priorities and strategy. Apply by March 30 → highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/pre...

Pre-health students need clear, high-value pathways — are colleges delivering? Our Josh Wyner will be in conversation with Joe Schaffer and Francisco Solis at DREAM 2026, exploring pre-health pathways and insights from the Unlocking Opportunity network: as.pn/UnlockingOpportunity

How do we unlock more talent and raise bachelor’s attainment? February’s College 3.0 features new progress from the American Talent Initiative, nursing shortage solutions, and Maryland transfer reforms. Read: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu... Subscribe: highered.aspeninstitute.org/contact

Higher ed faces urgent questions about value & public trust—and #ACEx2026 is where those conversations happen. Join Josh Wyner, DeRionne Pollard & Mike Flores on Feb 27 (10:15 AM) to explore lessons from excellent community colleges. web.cvent.com/event/7d76e4...

Applications are now open for the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative—supporting alumni of Aspen’s presidential fellowships and their boards in strengthening student-centered governance. Apply: highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/presidents-trustees-collaborative

A nationwide nursing shortage demands action. In the latest Degrees of Excellence, Josh Wyner outlines how community colleges and partners can expand health care programs, strengthen transfer, and grow local talent to help close the workforce gap. joshwyner.substack.com/p/how-can-co...

Now hiring: Director, Postsecondary Value & Field Strategy. This senior leader will help ensure the degrees students earn truly advance economic mobility. Learn more and apply: aspeninstitute.hrmdirect.com/employment/v...

In MD, 55% of #comm_college students are in transfer programs, but only 23% transfer to a 4-year university within 6 years. Strategic Transfer Excellence Plans from 25 #comm_colleges and four-year institutions aim to change that. Learn how: as.pn/MDTIStep

🚗 Last week, our colleagues hit the road, sharing CEP research and insights on transfer and student success at Princeton and the University of Cincinnati. Learn more: highered.aspeninstitute.org/focus-areas/transfer

Last week, the 10th cohort of the Rising Presidents Fellowship met in Raleigh for their 2nd residential session. Fellows sharpened strategies for student success, built partnerships, and applied Aspen frameworks from the seat of the president. Learn more: as.pn/risingpresidents

ICYMI: The Jan. edition of College 3.0 is live! We’re focusing on what drives real student success, plus: Pell gains at ATI colleges, openings for our Presidents & Trustees Collaborative, and Joshua Wyner’s new Substack. mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu...

Applications are open for the next cohort of the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative, supporting presidents and trustees in advancing student success through aligned governance. Apply or nominate: highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/presidents-trustees-collaborative

The first College 3.0 newsletter of 2026 shares Aspen CEP’s four priorities for improving student success at scale—plus ATI gains and our director's new Substack. Read more: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu...

Calling Aspen fellowship alumni: Apply now for the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative! Strengthen board–president alignment, learn from Aspen Prize-winning colleges, and advance student-success reforms. Apply now: as.pn/presidentsandtrusteescollaborative

Just over a month until #ACEx2026! Join Josh Wyner, DeRionne Pollard, & Mike Flores to explore lessons from top community colleges on delivering student value & rebuilding public trust. 📅 Feb 27 | 10:15 AM

This year, our Presidential Fellowships convened community college leaders to advance student success at scale. We’re excited to carry this momentum forward—including 10 years of Rising Presidents in 2026. Learn more: as.pn/risingpresidents | as.pn/presidentsfellowship

ICYMI: Earlier this year, we announced the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, recognizing standout community colleges nationwide—including Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, the 2025 Prize Winner. Explore the full publication: as.pn/prize25

As 2025 closes, we’re highlighting the Transfer Playbook 2.0, developed with CCRC. It shares proven strategies to help colleges improve transfer outcomes and support students in earning bachelor’s degrees. Explore the interactive version: thetransferplaybook.org

📣 ICYMI: We released Unlocking Opportunity: Eight Strategies for Community Colleges to Improve Post-Completion Outcomes, co-authored with CCRC. The guide shares evidence-based strategies to strengthen programs, advising, and student outcomes. as.pn/UOPracticeGuide

As we close out the year, we’re reflecting on the leadership that truly moves higher education forward; in this In Session episode, our Josh Wyner highlights what sets transformational college presidents apart—watch here: youtu.be/ZMxIa-c3qAY?...

How can college leaders ensure more students earn credentials that lead to real economic mobility—and meet regional talent needs? Thank you to @theeduledger.bsky.social for covering our Unlocking Opportunity guide with CCRC. www.theeduledger.com/institutions...

Our team joined colleagues nationwide at the 2025 First-Generation Lower-Income (FGLI) Conference at Johns Hopkins, leading sessions and connecting with institutions committed to supporting FGLI students. Learn more about our work: highered.aspeninstitute.org

A clearer, faster way to learn what works for transfer students is here. It's now easier to explore and apply proven, research-based strategies from the Transfer Playbook 2.0 with searchable content, intuitive navigation, built-in resources, and mobile-friendly design: thetransferplaybook.org

Grateful to present the updated Transfer Playbook with our colleagues at CCRC in an event led by Texas Student Success Center. We highlighted evidence-based practices and leadership strategies that help colleges improve transfer at scale. Explore the new interactive Playbook: thetransferplaybook.org

How can community colleges help students thrive—not just graduate? Join Jason Wood, former president of Southwest Tech (2025 Aspen Prize winner) for the Dallas Herring Lecture on Nov 18, 11 a.m. ET. ncsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

How can community colleges ensure every student graduates into a family-sustaining career? In this new op-ed, Aspen’s Josh Wyner and Southwest Tech’s Holly Clendenen share how the 2025 Aspen Prize winner redesigned programs so every credential leads to opportunity. www.yahoo.com/news/article...