South Puget Sound Community College has been named a “Finalist with Distinction”, essentially 2nd place to the Winner, and a $100,000 cash prize. This was announced last Thursday at the Aspen Prize Ceremony in Washington D.C. Much higher than the top 10 distinction and a huge honor! South Puget Sound Community College was nominated for the prestigious Aspen Prize for the second time in a row and recognizes exemplary schools in six essential areas:
- Teaching and learning
- Certificate and degree completion
- Transfer and bachelor’s attainment
- Workforce success
- Broad access to the college and its offerings
- Closing equity gaps that may have arisen from low-income backgrounds or challenges of first-generation students attending college
The Aspen Institute analyzes data from over 1,000 public community colleges nationwide to identify 150 colleges with the strongest outcomes. Eligible colleges submit detailed applications documenting successes. Then, 20-25 semifinalists are chosen for further evaluation. When the field narrowed to 10 finalists, teams conduct multi-day visits for first-hand observations.
“It is a rigorous process. We are always in the continuous process of improving,” says Kelly Green, Vice President of Advancement for SPSCC. “The school is especially proud of guided pathways,” she explains. Community colleges do not have majors like a four-year university. Guided pathways build a student’s class schedule with a longer-term goal in mind to make transfers to another school or program as seamless as possible.
“We also have faculty who have a wonderful relationship with data,” reports Green. Time and attention are spent to understand which students are succeeding and which ones are struggling. “We use this information.” For example, when a required math class is put off until the end, it tends to be put off indefinitely. Too often graduation never happens. Now students are helped with a plan to get key requirements in the first quarters.
“The effective practices and models of excellence uncovered during the Prize process are shared with the field through open-access assessment tools and publications, conference presentations, professional development programs,” according to the Aspen Institute. All colleges can use the information for free.
Our South Sound region benefits from a strong, vibrant college. SPSCC offers training opportunities and certificates that set people onto successful careers. Some students are full time, and others work in school around the demands of jobs and families. SPSCC is also a resource for community members to explore interests.
Check out the South Puget Sound Community website for more information.
https://spscc.edu/
Mary Ellen Psaltis