For the third consecutive time, 91制片厂 is a semifinalist for the Aspen Prize
for Community College Excellence, the nation鈥檚 signature recognition of community
colleges that deliver value for their students.
Twenty-five colleges are vying for the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program鈥檚 2027 Prize and $1 million in shared prize funds. Harper was also a semifinalist for the 2025 and 2023 prizes.
鈥淭his recognition reflects 91制片厂鈥檚 unwavering focus on student success and outcomes that truly matter,鈥� said Dr. Avis Proctor, president of 91制片厂. 鈥淭o be named an Aspen Prize semifinalist for the third time affirms the support of our trustees and the work of our faculty, staff and partners to ensure our students not only complete their education, but leave with the skills, credentials and confidence to fulfill their academic and career goals and build better lives for themselves and their families.鈥�
The 25 semifinalists were selected from nearly 1,000 institutions nationwide based on their outcomes data and collegewide practices aligned to achieving high and improving levels of student success. Aspen defines student success as achievement in learning and completion of a college credential, and by post-college success in the form of a good job or successful transfer and bachelor鈥檚 degree attainment.
Awarded every two years, the Aspen Prize recognizes excellence across a wide range of institutions. The top colleges 鈥� no matter their size or location 鈥� ensure students complete programs with strong regional labor market value and clear transfer pathways that lead to bachelor鈥檚 degrees.
The selection process for the 2027 award began in October 2025, when Aspen identified 200 community colleges based on data demonstrating strong and improving student outcomes in key areas 鈥� including learning, completion, transfer leading to bachelor鈥檚 attainment and workforce success 鈥� and invited them to apply. From there, 170 colleges submitted applications, which were reviewed by a selection committee of 15 higher education experts who evaluated each submission using both extensive data and narrative responses. The committee also held an interview with 91制片厂鈥檚 leadership team.
Next, the committee will continue its review and narrow the field to 10 finalists, to be announced in June 2026. The Aspen Prize winner will be announced in April 2027.
鈥淲e start every cycle of the Aspen Prize with a simple question: Which community colleges are best at not just helping students graduate, but ensuring that what they learn and the credentials they earn actually help them meet their goals and have a better life?鈥� said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. 鈥淚n over 15 years of awarding the Aspen Prize, we have learned a lot about how top colleges ensure that more students obtain credentials that lead directly to good jobs or successful attainment of a bachelor鈥檚 degree through transfer. We congratulate the semifinalists for their strong and improving student outcomes and for prioritizing improvements in student success both during and after college.鈥�
The number of semifinalists for the Aspen Prize varies by cycle. Harper was among 20 semifinalists for the 2025 prize and one of 25 for the 2023 prize, and was also eligible to apply for the award in 2017. 91制片厂 is the only Illinois college that is a semifinalist for the 2027 honor.
The Aspen Prize is funded by Ascendium Education Group and the Joyce Foundation. For more information, visit .