Odessa College, a finalist for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, was recognized by Aspen with a "Rising Star" award for dramatic improvement, accompanied by a $100,000 cash award. During a ceremony at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., Odessa College was honored for its remarkable efforts to engage students and faculty, resulting in a record-low course withdrawal rate of 1.8 percent and an increase in the graduation and transfer rate over five years from 15 percent to 36 percent.
“In a community where a college education has historically not been needed for a good job in the oil fields, Odessa understands that the world of work is changing and will demand increasing levels of educational attainment,” said Joshua Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program. “That is why Odessa is singularly focused on finding innovative strategies to
The Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence named San Jacinto College as one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation. The announcement was made Tuesday at a luncheon in Washington, D.C.
“I am honored and humbled to accept this award on behalf of the entire San Jacinto College community,” said Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer. “This award reflects the achievements and commitment of our faculty, staff, and administration who are focused on helping our diverse student population pursue and accomplish their goals. As a College, we hold ourselves to the ultimate measure of student success, and being recognized as one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation is proof that our mission to provide innovative, accessible education is being accomplished.”
The Aspen Institute's College Excellence Program announced Palo Alto College as a "Rising Star" award winner of the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges.
"Representing the Alamo Colleges District and community colleges across the nation at this level is an honor for each one of us at Palo Alto College, and this achievement would not have been possible without our faculty and staff's commitment to the journey and the support of our entire community, including the leadership of the Alamo Colleges District," said Dr. Robert Garza, president of Palo Alto College. "Whether students are the first in their family to attend college or looking to continue their education, Palo Alto College has always believed that education should be accessible to everyone. And by keeping our
"There is strong bipartisan support for reauthorizing the Higher Education Act this year, particularly in the Senate, but there are plenty of policy issues that lawmakers need to work out, according to a U.S. Education Department (ED) official."
Some of these conversations are centered around:
Allowing dual-enrollment students to tap Pell grants
Extending Pell eligibility to certain inmates
Writing a new state Perkins plan
Establishing a program to help colleges establish effective apprenticeships
For a more in-depth analysis of these topics and their discussion, visit Community College Daily here.
"A state bill that would secure funding for community colleges affected by Hurricane Harvey has been amended to include campuses in the Crossroads area, according to a news release.
State Rep. Geanie Morrison, of District 30, successfully amended State Bill 500, the state supplemental appropriations bill, to include Alvin Community College; Brazosport College; Coastal Bend College; Del Mar College; Houston Community College; Lone Star College System; Victoria College; and Wharton County Junior College."
President of Victoria College, Dr. David Hinds, expresses his gratitude towards Rep. Morrison stating, “We have a champion of community colleges in Representative Morrison. She understands and supports us, as she has for many years. We are deeply appreciative of her efforts with the House to get us to this point in the process.”
