The Aspen Institute names San Jacinto College as a Semifinalist for $1 million Aspen Prize
San Jacinto College named one of 25 community colleges advancing in national prize recognizing excellent student outcomes
PASADENA, Texas – The Aspen Institute (Aspen) has named San Jacinto College one of 25 semifinalists for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Rooted in deep research and backed by $1 million in award money, the Aspen Prize is the nation’s signature recognition of community colleges that deliver value for their students.
“To be recognized again by the Aspen Institute is both an honor and a reminder that our work continues,” said San Jacinto College Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer. “At San Jacinto College, we are constantly evolving how we support students, from access and advising to workforce pathways and ensuring completion, so they can thrive in college, in their careers, and in our community. Our role in providing access to a college credential is pivotal to the success of our region.”
The 25 semifinalists—which come from 20 states—were selected from nearly 1,000 institutions nationwide based on their outcomes data and collegewide practices aligned to achieving high and improving levels of student success. Aspen defines student success as achievement in learning and completion of a college credential, and by post-college success in the form of a good job or successful transfer and bachelor’s degree attainment.
“We start every cycle of the Aspen Prize with a simple question: Which community colleges are best at not just helping students graduate, but ensuring that what they learn and the credentials they earn actually help them meet their goals and have a better life?” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “In over 15 years of awarding the Aspen Prize, we have learned a lot about how top colleges ensure that more students obtain credentials that lead directly to good jobs or successful attainment of a bachelor’s degree through transfer. We congratulate the semifinalists for their strong and improving student outcomes and for prioritizing improvements in student success both during and after college.”
San Jacinto College operates in one of the most dynamic labor markets in the nation. From 2019 to 2024, employment in the market grew 7.1 percent, outpacing the U.S. rate by nearly three percentage points. The San Jacinto College service area is anchored by petrochemical, maritime, and healthcare, with rapid diversification in logistics, cybersecurity, education, aerospace, and biomanufacturing; and demand is high in College programs that support these industries.
In addition, through continual analysis of student performance data, the institution has seen an increase in transfer and job placement rates and decreases in time to degree and unnecessary credits. In fact, for the 2024-2025 academic year, 3,022 students transferred to a four-year college or university.
“At San Jacinto College, we want our students to complete what they start,” added Hellyer. “Whether that is a course, a certificate or a degree, our goal is to prepare students for what’s next in their lives.”
The Aspen Prize is awarded every two years and recognizes excellence across a wide range of institutions. With each cycle, Aspen deepens its understanding of what value looks like. The top colleges—no matter their size or location—ensure students complete programs with strong regional labor market value and clear transfer pathways that lead to bachelor’s degrees.
The complete list of semifinalists can be accessed at as.pn/prize.
The Aspen Prize selection process began in October 2025, when Aspen identified 200 community colleges based on data demonstrating strong and improving student outcomes in key areas—including learning, completion, transfer leading to bachelor’s attainment, and workforce success—and invited them to apply. From there, 170 colleges submitted applications, which were reviewed by a selection committee of 15 higher education experts who evaluated each submission using both extensive data and narrative responses. Aspen then interviewed the leadership teams from colleges receiving top scores, and 25 semifinalists were selected.
In the coming weeks, the 15-member panel of experts will continue its review and narrow the field to 10 finalists, which will be announced in June. In fall 2026, teams of experts will conduct in-depth site visits to those 10 finalist colleges and review extensive data, including actual wage data for graduates. The Aspen Prize winner will be announced in April 2027.
To read more about the selection process, visit as.pn/prize.
The Aspen Prize is generously funded by the Ascendium Education Group and the Joyce Foundation.
Previous winners are:
- 2025: Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (WI)
- 2023: Amarillo College (TX) and Imperial Valley College (CA)
- 2021: San Antonio College (TX)
- 2019: Indian River State College (FL) and Miami Dade College (FL)
- 2017: Lake Area Technical Institute (SD)
- 2015: Santa Fe College (FL)
- 2013: Santa Barbara City College (CA) and Walla Walla Community College (WA)
- 2011: Valencia College (FL)
Note: Colleges that have won the Aspen Prize are not eligible to apply in subsequent years.
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 and 2026. 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.
About the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program
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 www.highered.aspeninstitute.org.
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, DC, and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
