San Jac named a Top 200 Community College

$1 million prize honors colleges achieving strong student results

Pasadena, Texas – The Aspen Institute named San Jacinto College as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize. 

“Being named among the top 200 colleges for the 2027 Aspen Prize reflects San Jacinto College’s deep commitment to changing lives through education,” said Dr. Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor, San Jacinto College. “Every day, our students, faculty, and staff work together to open doors of opportunity—helping students build skills, earn credentials, and pursue rewarding careers that strengthen our community and region.”

Eligible colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, and transfer rates. Together, they represent the breadth and diversity of the community college sector. 

The top 200 colleges are located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the country and serve anywhere from a few hundred students to tens of thousands. Some of these colleges focus primarily on workforce programs, while others focus on transfer and bachelor’s attainment or a combination of the two.

“The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students—completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “At a time when many Americans are struggling to pay their bills, Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.”

The 200 eligible colleges have been invited to participate in a rigorous review process that will culminate in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027. The colleges that apply for the Aspen Prize will be assessed based on student outcomes data, ranging from student retention and completion rates to employment and wages after graduation, and whether they have engaged in scaled practices that led to high and improving student outcomes.

San Jacinto College has been recognized in recent years for excellence in student success, including being named one of the top 2 community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute in 2025. 

Next steps in the 2027 Aspen Prize process

• Nov. 13-Dec. 9: Application deadlines for the 2027 Aspen Prize
• April 2026: Announcement of 25 semifinalists, selected based on assessments of extensive data and the application, by a group of 11 experts in community colleges, higher education, and workforce
• June 2026: Announcement of 10 finalists, selected by the same group of experts
• Fall 2026: Collection of additional data from the 10 finalists, including employment and earnings data for graduates from 2020 and 2025, as well as qualitative assessments of practices by field experts during multi-day site visits to each of the 10 finalists
• February 2027: The Aspen Prize winner selected by a distinguished, independent jury
• Spring 2027: Announcement of the Aspen Prize winner and celebration of the 10 finalists at an event in Washington, D.C.

To read more about the selection process, visit as.pn/prize.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes—with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society as a whole. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and X. 

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

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About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.