EICC Is An Aspen Prize Top 200 Community College

The Aspen Institute has named Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) as one of 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. It is the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.

The Aspen Prize is awarded every two years, and eligibility to apply is based on publicly available data tied to student success. Colleges must show strong and improving student outcomes in first-to-second year retention, credentials awarded, and completion and transfer rates. Only 20% of community colleges in the nation were invited to apply and compete for the prize.

EICC Chancellor Bryan Renfro, speaking at a press conference

"This recognition reflects decades of commitment from everyone who has called EICC home — our faculty, staff, and community partners who built a foundation of access and opportunity for students. We do this work for one reason: our students. Every decision, every program, every partnership is about helping them succeed. Being recognized among the nation’s top community colleges reinforces that what we do here truly matters."

EICC Chancellor Bryan Renfro, PhD.

Next Steps

EICC will participate in a comprehensive review process that culminates in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027. Over the next 20 months, the colleges that apply will be rigorously assessed based on student outcome data and scaled practices that led to high and improving student outcomes.

Nov. 13/Dec. 9, 2025: Aspen Prize applications are due.
April 2026: A group of 11 experts in community colleges, higher education, and workforce will assess, then announce, 25 semifinalists.
June 2026: The 10 finalists are announced.
Fall 2026: Finalists will submit additional data and host multi-day site visits.
February 2027: The winner is selected by an independent jury.
Spring 2027: The Aspen Prize winner is announced.

Multiple data sources are used to identify achievement: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, employment and wages after graduation, and levels of college access. The Aspen Institute then researches the practices of the top colleges and shares successful strategies in the field.

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.

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.

The Aspen Prize is generously funded by Ascendium Education Philanthropy and the Joyce Foundation.

See the full list of 200 colleges invited to apply