On October 28, 2025, the Aspen Institute announced that Pensacola State College is among 200 community colleges in the United States eligible for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The Aspen Prize is a $1 million award that recognizes two-year colleges with strong student outcomes during and after college. The selection of these 200 colleges was based on data such as retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s degree attainment rates.
The Aspen Prize, now in its ninth cycle since 2010, is a national recognition for community college achievement. The 200 eligible colleges include institutions from urban, rural, and suburban areas. These colleges vary in size and offer programs ranging from workforce training to transfer and bachelor’s degree pathways.
Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, said the award highlights colleges that support student success. Community colleges serve nearly six million students nationwide but often face challenges with graduation and post-graduation outcomes. The Aspen Prize aims to recognize colleges that have improved these results and can serve as examples for others…