Pueblo Community College has been named by the Aspen Institute as one of 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The prize is recognized as a leading national award for high achievement and performance among two-year colleges in the United States. Selection was based on student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates.
PCC President Chato Hazelbaker commented on the recognition: “At PCC, we do the work we do every day to improve the lives of students. It’s nice when recognition follows that. This acknowledgement is a testament to the sustained commitment of many individuals at the college. It doesn’t reflect one year of good work; it reflects decades of community impact.”
The 200 selected colleges are located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the country and serve a range of student populations. Some focus on workforce programs while others emphasize transfer or bachelor’s attainment.
Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, said: “The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students—completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success. Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.”
Community colleges educate close to six million students nationwide but often face challenges with graduation rates and post-graduation success. The Aspen Prize process aims to highlight those institutions demonstrating strong results and provide examples for other colleges.
Eligible colleges have been invited to submit applications for further review over 20 months. Assessment will include analysis of student transfer and completion rates as well as employment and wage outcomes after graduation.
Wyner added: “Among these 200 colleges are some really special places that deliver strong and improving outcomes for students across the board. Our job over the coming 20 months is to gather a lot more data and work with a deep bench of field experts to assess which of these 200 stand out so we can not only honor them with a monetary award, but drive attention to the most effective field practices that other colleges can replicate.”
This cycle marks an increase in eligible institutions from 150 to 200 since previous years. More than 600 community colleges provided additional data through authorization of National Student Clearinghouse records regarding degree completion and transfer rates.
Key dates in the selection process include application deadlines on November 13 and December 9, announcement of semifinalists in April 2026, finalists in June 2026, site visits during fall 2026, selection by jury in February 2027, and final announcement in spring 2027. Further information about the process is available at as.pn/prize.
