The Aspen Institute named Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College as a finalist for the $1 million 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
The institutions selected stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.
“To be named a finalist for the Aspen Prize is such an incredible honor,” said Kristen Raney, NWTC president. “It recognizes NWTC’s deep commitment to equitable student outcomes that transforms lives and strengthens our communities. This is a reflection of the transformative work we do every day and should be celebrated by all who call Northeast Wisconsin home. We are very excited to continue next steps of the Aspen Prize process and for the bright future of our college and community.”
NWTC’s graduation rates are double compared to the national average. Additionally, the percentage of NWTC students persisting from first to second year – a critical period in which many do not complete – has consistently increased over time and is above that of comparison to other institutions. The most dramatic increases have been observed within historically underserved populations, including lower income and student of color.
Awarded every two years, the Aspen Prize honors colleges with outstanding performance in six critical areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, broad access to the college and its offerings, and equitable outcomes for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.
The winner will be announced in the spring of 2025.
The finalists are:
- Georgia Highlands College, Georgia
- Moorpark College, California
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Wisconsin
- Northwest Vista College, Texas
- San Jacinto College, Texas
- Seminole State College of Florida
- • South Puget Sound Community College, Washington
- • Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Wisconsin
- • Union College of Union County, New Jerset
- • Wallace State Community College-Hanceville, Alabama
The Aspen Prize selection process began in the summer of 2023 when Aspen analyzed data on 1,000 community colleges in key areas such as retention, completion, and transfer. In October, Aspen invited 150 community colleges to apply based on data showing high, improving, and equitable levels of student success.
The 118 submitted applications went to a selection committee of 18 higher education experts who assessed each application based on extensive data and narrative answers to questions. Following interviews with leadership teams from applicants receiving top scores, 20 semifinalists were selected and announced in May. The committee continued its review and narrowed the field to the 10 finalists.
Next steps in the process include: Multi-day in-person site visits to each of the 10 finalists, review of data and qualitative summaries by an independent prize jury.
