Excelencia in Education Congratulates Finalists for 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

WASHINGTON, DC — The Aspen Institute has announced that two community colleges previously recognized through the Examples of Excelencia initiative have been selected as finalists for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

The two Texas schools, El Paso Community College, the 2011 Example of Excelencia in the Associate category for its Early College High School Initiative, and Brazosport College in Jackson, TX, a 2011 Finalist in the Associate category for its Learning Frameworks Program, could be chosen as the grand prize winner or one of the four finalists-with-distinction by the Washington-based Aspen Institute in March of 2015.

In response, Sarita Brown, president of Excelencia in Education, and Deborah Santiago, chief operating officer and vice president for policy of Excelencia in Education, released the following statement:

“Today we congratulate all 10 Aspen Prize finalists, and especially want to recognize Brazosport College and El Paso Community College for their incredible work improving Latino student success.  In 2011, we identified and recognized Brazosport College as a Finalist and El Paso Community College as an Example of Excelencia for programs with clear evidence of helping Latino students prepare and succeed in higher education.  We are thrilled to see these two effective community colleges sustaining their work to improve educational outcomes for Latino students and all students.

“Every year, Excelencia in Education selects Examples of Excelencia, programs that, emerge from a national search and rigorous review process as significant for their impact on Latino student success.  Like the Aspen Institute, Excelencia in Education believes that, by sharing what has worked for other institutions, we can inform, inspire and equip decision makers to accelerate Latino student success.”

Conceived and run by Excelencia in Education, Examples of Excelencia is the only national initiative to systematically identify, recognize, and catalogue evidence-based programs that improve Latino college success.

Excelencia in Education is a Washington, DC-based national nonprofit organization whose mission is to accelerate Latino student success in higher education. For more information, visit www.EdExcelencia.org.

Featured

  • Universities Continue to Launch Multimillion-Dollar Campus Transformations

    What makes the current wave of campus development especially noteworthy is its emphasis on multi-use functionality and community integration. Institutions are no longer investing solely in academic or athletic facilities in isolation. Instead, they are creating destinations that blend recreation, health, housing, and event-driven economic activity.

  • Arizona District Breaks Ground on Community Training, Learning Center

    The Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD) in Tolleson, Ariz., recently broke ground on a new Training & Learning Center (TLC) for both district professionals and the community at large, according to a news release. The 90,000-square-foot facility has an estimated completion date of spring 2027.

  • Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts

    Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.