Kingsborough Community College Ranked as one of top 10% in the Country; Supported by National Leaders in Business, Education, Labor

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In its first step to identify the nation's best community colleges and award $1 million in prize money, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program has ranked Kingsborough Community College as one of the nation's 120 best community colleges, challenging it to compete for the Prize funds (to be announced in December 2011) by insisting on high standards for learning, college completion without delay, and serving as a training ground for jobs that pay competitive wages. The full list of eligible institutions can be found at www.AspenCCPrize.org.

Citing the urgent need to focus on the value and potential of community colleges, Aspen Institute College Excellence Program Executive Director Josh Wyner said, "We must set the bar much higher than we have in the past. To achieve excellent student outcomes, we need to highlight our country's success stories and learn from them so that we can keep reaching higher. Recognizing community colleges like Kingsborough Community College sends a message to others that aspire to excellence, while encouraging Kingsborough Community College to apply for the nation's top community college prize. As a country, now more than ever, we need all community colleges to graduate more students with the knowledge and degrees they need to be successful in the workforce."

Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, attended the Aspen Institute's announcement event on April 25.  The Aspen Prize was announced at the White House Community College Summit hosted by President Obama and Dr. Biden in October.  At that time, the President noted how critical community colleges are to the millions of youth and adult learners – who enroll in America's nearly 1,200 community colleges every year.

Dr. Biden, a lifelong educator who continues to teach English at Northern Virginia Community College, noted, "The country is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of community colleges in educating our way to a stronger America.  I am inspired by all of today's community college students—the workers who have returned to school to improve their job prospects, the mothers who juggle jobs and childcare while preparing for new careers, and those who work diligently while at community college, preparing to transfer to a four-year institution."  

Kingsborough Community College and 119 other community colleges will be winnowed to eight-to-ten finalists in September based on how much students learn, how many complete their programs on time, and how well students do in the job market after graduating.

Aspen will conduct site visits to each of the ten finalists in the fall. And, based on the evidence, the Prize Jury will select a grand prize winner and two to three runners-up, to be announced in December.

Contact: Ruby Ryles
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SOURCE Kingsborough Community College