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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program

@aspenhighered.bsky.social
73 followers 27 following 212 posts

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program is committed to improving college student outcomes. How? Through effective policy, practice, and leadership.

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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Transformational change takes more than a vision. It takes leaders willing to confront the data, set a clear reform agenda, and bring others along. Applications for Rising Presidents Fellowship are open through October 25. Learn more, apply, or nominate: highered.aspeninstitute.org
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Presidents and trustees are exploring how governance can support lasting student success. Cohort 2 of the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative recently gathered to connect reform priorities to completion and post-completion outcomes. highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/pre...
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
A college credential matters most when it creates a meaningful pathway to opportunity. The latest College 3.0 explores the credential-to-career gap, with updates on Unlocking Opportunity, the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship, and more: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu...
mailchi.mp
Fixing the Credential-to-Career Gap
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The future of community college leadership is being shaped by leaders already making a difference on their campuses. Applications for the Rising Presidents Fellowship are open through Oct. 25. Learn more, apply or nominate a rising leader: as.pn/risingpresidents
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
There’s something special about bringing community college presidents together in Aspen. Cohort 3 of the Presidents Fellowship spent the week digging into their data, challenging assumptions and having plenty of “aha moments.” Learn more: as.pn/presidentsfellowship
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Strong #comm_college leadership takes the right skills, networks, and tools. The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship helps emerging leaders build all three according to Dr. Baston. Apply now: as.pn/risingpresidents
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Curious about the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship? Join us Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 12 p.m. ET for an informational webinar to learn more about the Fellowship and the application process. Register: as.pn/RPFWebinar1
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Transfer shouldn’t be this hard. Our Josh Wyner and CCRC’s John Fink join @joshuabay.bsky.social of @insidehighered.com to discuss what colleges can do to create clearer pathways and make transfer work better for students. www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
insidehighered.com
Transfer Isn’t Supposed to Be This Hard
In this week’s Voices of Student Success episode, Aspen’s Josh Wyner and CCRC’s John Fink discuss how colleges can help more community college students transfer and earn bachelor’s degrees.
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Research and data-informed practice are key to advancing community college student success. The Community College Data Hub offers: → $5,000 Research Grants → $15,000 Research-to-Practice Stipends Apply by Oct. 1: www.centerforcommunitycolleges.org/projects/ccd...
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
New Gallup polling shows Americans view community colleges more favorably than four-year institutions on affordability, access and workforce preparation. In his latest Substack, Josh Wyner explores what four-year colleges can learn from that trust gap. joshwyner.substack.com/p/why-commun...
joshwyner.substack.com
Why Community Colleges Are Winning Public Trust— and What Four-Year Colleges Can Do About It
Community colleges are more affordable and accessible. The four-year sector isn’t addressing affordability as directly as it should.
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
The data to show which community college programs lead to good jobs isn’t always easy to access. Vote for the #SXSWEDU panel “Seeing Value: Turning Data Blind Spots Into Student Opportunity,” featuring Tania LaViolet. #PanelPicker participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx...
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
20,000+ students. 10 pilot colleges. 3 years. Our latest College 3.0 highlights early results from the Unlocking Opportunity network, where the 10 pilot colleges increased enrollment in high-value pathways by more than 20,000 students. Read the latest edition: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu...
mailchi.mp
How 10 Colleges Moved 20,000+ More Students Toward Good Jobs and Bachelor's Degrees in Just 3 Years
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
@insidehighered.com explores how colleges are redesigning pathways to connect learning, credentials, and careers. The piece highlights lessons from Unlocking Opportunity and insights from our Josh Wyner on redesigning systems around students. www.insidehighered.com/news/student...
insidehighered.com
How Colleges Are Redesigning the Path to a Degree
From transfer reform to apprenticeship credit, colleges are building more flexible pathways that connect learning, credentials and careers.
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Moving thousands more students into programs that lead to good jobs and bachelor's degrees takes more than policy change. See how 10 colleges increased enrollment in high-value pathways by 20,000+ students in our latest newsletter: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu...
mailchi.mp
How 10 Colleges Moved 20,000+ More Students Toward Good Jobs and Bachelor's Degrees in Just 3 Years
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
We're seeking an Assistant Director to strengthen community college leadership, improve student outcomes, and advance economic mobility. Hybrid Washington, DC | $120K–$135K. Learn more: www.aspeninstitute.org/about/our-ca...
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Reposted by Aspen Institute College Excellence Program
Inside Higher Ed @insidehighered.com · 21/07/2026
Student Success | Community Colleges Rethink Program Value An initiative co-created by the @aspenhighered.bsky.social and the Community College Research Center helped 10 colleges move more than 20,000 students into programs leading to jobs and bachelor’s degrees. bit.ly/4fs3IOH #EDUSky
During a graduation celebration, a young Black man and his father share a hug for a family photo.
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Excited to see Paul Fain highlight our new Unlocking Opportunity report, developed w/ CCRC. Read his coverage and explore how 10 colleges moved 20,000+ students into pathways to good jobs and bachelor's degrees: the-job.beehiiv.com/p/prioritizi... | as.pn/UOReport2026
the-job.beehiiv.com
The Job
A newsletter about the connections between education and the workforce
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
In just three years, the 10 pilot colleges in the Unlocking Opportunity network helped 20,000+ more students enter pathways to good jobs and bachelor's degrees. Explore lessons and five college case studies in our new report with CCRC: as.pn/UOReport2026
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
From strategy to implementation. At the final convening of the Maryland Transfer Intensive with MHEC, college teams refined plans to strengthen transfer pathways and help 1,700 more Maryland students earn bachelor’s degrees each year.
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Workforce Pell is here—but funding alone won't help more adults access good jobs. Josh Wyner explains why community colleges must rethink short-term credentials to better connect students to quality careers: open.substack.com/pub/joshwyne...
open.substack.com
Workforce Pell Is Here. Community Colleges Must Be Ready to Make It Count.
New federal funding for short-term career training could be transformative—but only if it spurs community colleges to finally align short-term credentials to good jobs.
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Higher education's promise depends on helping students thrive—in their careers, their communities, and their lives. At #AspenIdeas, we discussed how colleges can deliver on that promise while rebuilding public trust. Watch the full conversation: www.aspenideas.org/sessions/is-...
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
In the June College 3.0, we celebrate the 2027 Aspen Prize finalists, share updates from the Presidents & Trustee Collaborative, highlight a new Substack, and feature a @washingtonpost.com story on transfer that cites our research. Read more: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu...
mailchi.mp
Aspen Prize Finalists and the Importance of Excellence
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
We’re in Aspen this week for #AspenIdeas2026. Join us for “Is College the Path to the American Dream?”—a conversation on how colleges can expand opportunity, prepare students for meaningful work, and strengthen our economy and democracy. Full agenda: www.aspenideas.org/schedule
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Nearly 80% of community college students aspire to a bachelor’s degree, yet many face transfer barriers. In @washingtonpost.com, our Tania LaViolet highlights momentum for transfer reform and clearer pathways to student success. wapo.st/4uA6ve7
wapo.st
Colleges are making it easier to transfer academic credits
Schools are launching efforts to simplify this common path through higher education, seeking to boost enrollment and reach a wider mix of students.
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Is college still the path to the American Dream? Join us at #AspenIdeas2026 as leaders from across sectors explore one of higher education’s most important questions. The conversation will take place in the East Lawn Tent from 8:30–9:15 a.m. MDT.
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
What can community colleges achieve when student success is the north star? Today we’re announcing the 2027 Aspen Prize finalists—colleges driving strong outcomes in completion, transfer, bachelor’s attainment, and workforce success. Learn more: as.pn/prize
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Have you read the latest College 3.0 newsletter yet? We explore how higher education networks are helping leaders and practitioners collaborate to improve student success at scale: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu...
mailchi.mp
How College Networks Contribute to Successful Outcomes
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Baltimore, we’ll see you tomorrow 👋 Join us at the @edwriters.bsky.social's #EWA26 for a conversation on improving transfer success and expanding pathways to bachelor’s degree attainment for community college students. Learn more: lnkd.in/g9EbPifP
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
What happens when students do everything right, but the transfer system still makes it difficult to succeed? Join Aspen at @edwriters.bsky.social's #EWA26 for “Understanding the Highs and Lows of the College Transfer Journey.” Learn more: ewa.org/events/upcom... // @the74.bsky.social
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
College reform doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens through networks. This month’s College 3.0 newsletter explores Aspen communities helping leaders learn, test, and scale student success. mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu...
mailchi.mp
How College Networks Contribute to Successful Outcomes
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Aspen is proud to announce Cohort 11 of the Rising Presidents Fellowship—40 leaders selected for their commitment to advancing student success and leading transformational change at community colleges nationwide. Learn more: as.pn/risingpresidents
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Josh Wyner in @insidehighered.com: next phase of higher ed reform focuses on credentials tied to jobs, mobility, opportunity—and four priorities for leaders. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
insidehighered.com
Next Steps for College Completion Movement (opinion)
Completion for completion’s sake can’t be the goal we build all our efforts around.
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
#comm_college students bring extraordinary talent, but transfer pathways are often shaped by institutional complexity—not student success. Transfer Playbook 2.0 (w/ CCRC) highlights aligning program pathways and instruction for timely completion: thetransferplaybook.org
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Better decisions about student success start with better data. The Aspen Prize Benchmarking Tool from Aspen helps colleges compare completion & transfer outcomes across peers, Aspen Prize Top 200 colleges, and national averages. Learn more: as.pn/prizebenchmarking
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
We’ve named semifinalists for the 2027 Aspen Prize—selected from nearly 1,000 colleges nationwide. These institutions stand out for strong and improving student outcomes across completion, learning, transfer, and workforce success. Learn more: as.pn/prize
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The Joyce Foundation @joycefdn.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Congratulations to all of the semifinalists and to @aspenhighered.bsky.social for its continued leadership in elevating the impact of community colleges nationwide! #AspenPrize #HigherEd
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Are colleges doing enough to ensure students graduate into meaningful opportunity? This month's edition of College 3.0 explores the growing “value agenda,” plus Aspen Prize semifinalists and new research on advising and pathways. Read more: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitu...
mailchi.mp
The Value Agenda Gains Steam; Aspen Announces Prize Semifinalists
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
From nearly 1,000 community colleges nationwide, just 25 have been named semifinalists for the $1M #AspenPrize—recognized for strong and improving student outcomes. Learn more: as.pn/prize
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
⛰️ This week in Aspen, we hosted the final session of Cohort 10 of the Rising Presidents Fellowship—marking the close of their program journey. These leaders are leaving with sharpened strategies for student success at scale and a strong alumni network. as.pn/risingpresidents
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Transfer is no longer a side road in higher ed—it’s a main pathway, but too many students still lose time, credits, and momentum. AACC's new analysis highlights the challenges and points to solutions like the Transfer Playbook 2.0: www.ccdaily.com/2026/04/the-... | thettransferplaybook.org
ccdaily.com
The college transfer generation - Community College Daily
For decades, students transferring between colleges was a side road in American higher education. Today, it’s one of the system’s main highways. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center repo...
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
What are we taking away from AACC’s Annual Conference? A focus on post-completion outcomes and value. Aspen sessions explored strengthening workforce programs, pre-health pathways, and transfer partnerships that support student success. Learn more: highered.aspeninstitute.org
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
📅 We’re in Seattle for #AACC2026! Join Aspen sessions on workforce programs, pre-health pathways, and transfer partnerships. See the full schedule: aaccannual.com/final_schedu...
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
In his latest Substack, Josh Wyner argues that higher ed reform efforts often overlook a key factor in improving student outcomes: leadership. He lays out why developing, selecting, and supporting presidents must be a national priority: joshwyner.substack.com/p/why-we-nee...
joshwyner.substack.com
Why We Need a National Leadership Strategy for Higher Education
For more than a decade, I’ve had a front-row seat to one of the most important—and least discussed—determinants of student success in higher education: leadership.
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Leaders from Queens College, Queensborough Community College, and LaGuardia Community College joined City University of New York’s STEP signing ceremony to strengthen transfer pathways—supported by the Aspen-AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive. thetransferplaybook.org/
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Aspen’s updated benchmarking tool gives colleges a free way to compare outcomes, spot gaps, and learn from top performers. Colleges that haven’t authorized their data should do so to get the full picture. highered.aspeninstitute.org/tools-and-re...
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Reposted by Aspen Institute College Excellence Program
AASCU @aascu.org · 01/04/2026
This Community College Month, AASCU is celebrating partnerships that power transfer success. Through the @aspenhighered.bsky.social – AASCU Transfer Student Success Intensive, institutions are strengthening pathways and improving outcomes. Learn more: tinyurl.com/4kzhub6u #HigherEd #CCMonth
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
We’re hiring! The Aspen Institute College Excellence program is seeking a Finance Manager to lead budgeting, support project teams, and turn data into strategy: www.aspeninstitute.org/about/our-ca...
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Colleges can’t improve what they can’t measure. March’s College 3.0 highlights expanded benchmarking for part-time & transfer outcomes, workforce-aligned reforms, and the 3rd cohort of the Presidents Fellowship. Read: mailchi.mp/aspeninstitute/college-30-march-2026
mailchi.mp
Moving Value to the Center of College Reform
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
How can presidents & trustees better align governance with student success? The Presidents & Trustees Collaborative supports community college leadership teams in strengthening board-president alignment and sustaining reform. Deadline extended: April 6. highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/pre...
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Aspen Institute College Excellence Program @aspenhighered.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Mississippi is reviving adult degree completion efforts—but completion alone isn’t enough. In Mississippi Today, our Josh Wyner emphasizes the need for degrees that lead to real opportunity. mississippitoday.org/2026/03/23/u...
mississippitoday.org
Universities revive college completion program - Mississippi Today
Complete 2 Compete, a successful college completion program, ended last year. Now Mississippi universities can revive their own version of it.
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