Queensborough Selected for Community College “Oscars” College named an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College
Queensborough Community College has become eligible for the $1 million 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, a prestigious and highly competitive award that recognizes the top colleges in the nation for their outstanding achievement in five critical areas: equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds, teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor's attainment, and workforce success.
The award, as President Obama called it, is known as “the Oscars for great community colleges.”
“There are more than 1,000 community colleges in the U.S. This is an extraordinary honor and a signature recognition acknowledging Queensborough's position as one of the country's best colleges,” said Queensborough President, Dr. Christine Mangino.
“The nomination is due to the steadfast commitment of our faculty and staff who really believe in our students and their infinite potential,” she added.
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program nominated Queensborough for the prize, based on the College's strong student outcomes.
“Queensborough serves one of the most diverse student communities in the country. Our focus is to ensure that every student succeeds through personalized support and access to opportunities that affirm their aspirations, from the time they enter our doors to graduation and beyond,” said Dr. Mangino.
“Whether we are awarded the top prize or not, we've already won. The nomination process provides us a unique opportunity to improve and continue to serve as a national model for teaching and learning, degree completion, and successful entry into the workforce,” added Dr. Mangino.
“Graduates often talk about how Queensborough has transformed their lives. This Aspen process will galvanize our entire college community to further grow and learn from people from diverse backgrounds with many different points of view.”
Over the next two months, the College will submit data and narratives for an intensive data and practice review process, providing an overview of student success and equity as well as college-wide goals for improvement. Queensborough will also share information about how it is responding to students' needs since the pandemic. Next year, if selected, Queensborough will welcome Aspen representatives to the campus for in-person evaluations, college-wide interviews, and conversations about student success and equity. Prize-winners will be announced in spring 2023.
Founded in 1949, the Aspen Institute works to improve education by developing and informing education leaders across policy and practice, with an emphasis on sustainability and equity.
Queensborough also welcomed other CUNY community colleges nominated and acknowledged for excellence: Borough of Manhattan Community College, Hostos Community College, Kingsborough Community College, LaGuardia Community College, and Stella and Charles Guttman Community College.
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