By Payton Tholstrup

On October 31st, The Aspen Institute named Cloud County Community College as one of the 150 eligible institutions that can compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

The Aspen Institute chooses community colleges that stand out and demonstrate improving levels of student success. They also show equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students, and those from lower-income backgrounds.

The Aspen Institute measures variances in community colleges using multiple data sources and honors colleges with outstanding achievement in six key areas, such as teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, equitable access to the college, and equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students, and students from low-income backgrounds.