The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program has named Northwest Florida State College one the nation's 150 top community colleges. NWF State can complete for a $1 million fund for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
The institute identified the top community colleges after assessing performance and improvement in graduation rates, degrees awarded, student retention rates and equity in student outcomes.
These colleges will now compete for the honor following a year-long research process into how well their students learn, complete degrees and get jobs with competitive wages after graduating.
NWF State College is one of 15 Florida College System institutions eligible to compete for the award.
The top 150 community colleges will be narrowed down to 10 finalists in September based on student persistence, completion and transfer; gains in outcomes over time; and equity in outcomes for underserved students. Winners will be announced in early 2015.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Northwest Florida State College named to U.S. Top 150