Aspen Institute College Excellence Program

Expanding opportunities for talented students from every zip code and income level strengthens our nation and economy. 60+ college and university presidents and leaders gathered in New York for the annual ATI Presidents Summit to assess progress and advance our shared commitment to increasing access for students from lower-income backgrounds. Together, we can help ensure that all talented students have the opportunity to thrive. #AmericanTalent The American Talent Initiative (ATI)—a collaboration between the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and Ithaka S+R—is grateful for the continued support of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Mike Bloomberg in championing this critical work.

Presidents and trustees play a crucial role in ensuring long-term student success. But how can leadership teams sustain reforms across leadership transitions and shifting priorities? The Presidents & Trustees Collaborative provides: ✅ A shared framework for aligning governance with student success ✅ Sustainable impact that outlasts leadership transitions ✅ Collaborative development—not trustee training in isolation Who can apply? 🔹𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢: Presidents who have completed an Aspen fellowship (Rising Presidents, New Presidents, or Presidents Fellowship) can apply with their board chair and additional trustees. 🔹𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Statewide entities can apply to lead a cohort of trustee-president teams from 10-15 community colleges, with access to Aspen’s curriculum and grant support to sustain long-term board development. This year-long initiative, supported by Ascendium's Education Philanthropy, equips community college leaders with the tools and strategies needed to drive systemic reform. ⏳ The deadline has been extended to March 19! Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eaPD7pGJ

📬 The latest edition of College 3.0 just dropped! Our team has been busy this month, engaging with leaders at Achieving the Dream’s #DREAM2025 conference and the annual American Talent Initiative Summit to explore how colleges can expand access, boost completion, and improve post-graduation success. This issue of College 3.0 highlights: 📢 The launch of the Presidents & Trustees Collaborative—now accepting applications to help leadership teams strengthen governance for long-term impact 🔑 The #UnlockingOpportunity project expanding to 50 additional #comm_colleges, scaling strategies that drive students into high-value pathways 📊 Strada Education Foundation’s 2025 State Opportunity Index survey—an opportunity for institutions to benchmark students’ experiences with education-to-career guidance and work-based learning Higher education is evolving, and institutions must adapt to deliver greater value to students. See how Aspen and our partners are helping colleges lead the way.👇

How can community colleges ensure students don’t just graduate but also successfully transfer and land good jobs? At #DREAM2025, Community College Research Center tackled this question, sharing new research on how to create stronger pathways for students. Their latest blog includes insights from two separate sessions with Aspen: one on Unlocking Opportunity, where we discussed how colleges can align programs with high-value careers and transfer pathways, and the other on improving transfer outcomes, focusing on ways to enhance transfer and bachelor's attainment rates. 🔗 Dive in: https://lnkd.in/e7g_gGp4

📣 Attention college and university leaders: Strada Education Foundation is inviting campuses to participate in the 2025 State Opportunity Index survey and receive confidential, benchmarked results—free of cost. We know there are bright spots across the country, and this survey aims to lift them up while also identifying where access to high-quality experiences may be uneven—both across institutions and within them. This data can help leaders prioritize focus, resources, and support from partners. If you’d find value in understanding more about your students’ experiences and how they compare to their peers in your state and nationwide, consider participating in the 2025 State Opportunity Index survey. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/exvPjcbK

Another inspiring #DREAM Conference is in the books! 🎓 Thank you to all who attended our sessions with Community College Research Center on strengthening transfer pathways and improving the value of community college credentials through our Unlocking Opportunity work. We appreciate the opportunity to engage with leaders dedicated to advancing student success at colleges across the country. And stay tuned for our new #TransferPlaybook coming soon! We are also grateful to our #presfellows who joined us for a reception to connect, reflect, and share insights. Now more than ever, our collective efforts to improve student outcomes are essential. And a special thank you to the Achieving the Dream team for organizing yet another outstanding conference. 👏✨

Are your board and leadership team aligned to drive lasting student success? Community college presidents and trustees play a critical role in sustaining reforms that improve student outcomes. The Presidents & Trustees Collaborative is designed to help leadership teams strengthen their governance and decision-making for long-term impact. 🔹 Who can apply? 𝐀𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢: Presidents who have completed an Aspen fellowship (Rising Presidents, New Presidents, or Presidents Fellowship) can apply with their board chair and additional trustees. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Statewide entities can apply to lead a cohort of trustee-president teams from 10-15 community colleges, with access to Aspen’s curriculum and grant support to sustain long-term board development. Through in-person and virtual sessions, tailored tools, and collaborative learning, participants will build the governance practices needed to drive student success for years to come. 🚀 Applications are open through March 10. Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/eaPD7pGJ

Yesterday at #ATD2025, CCRC's Tatiana Velasco and the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program's Joshua Wyner shared how community colleges can make transfer a presidential priority, align program pathways and high-quality instruction, and tailor advising and support services to foster trust and engagement. Thanks for joining!

Twice a year, our team comes together for Home Week—a time to focus on our impact, shared culture, and priorities. These moments of collaboration and connection strengthen our work to support higher education leaders in their efforts to improve student outcomes and advance economic mobility. Feeling inspired after a week of learning, strategizing, and celebrating our shared commitment to student success and looking forward to what’s ahead! 

✈️ Headed to Philly for #DREAM2025? Achieving the Dream’s annual conference is where community college leaders come together to drive student success and equitable outcomes—and we’re thrilled to be part of the conversation. Join Aspen for two sessions tackling key challenges in transfer and workforce outcomes: ✨𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫: 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 📅 Feb. 19 | ⏰ 12:20–1:30 PM ET Pascale Charlot, Joshua Wyner, and Tatiana Velasco will explore how community colleges can strengthen transfer pathways to improve bachelor’s attainment. 📘 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐄𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 (Sponsored by Bank of America) 📅 Feb. 19 | ⏰ 3:45–4:45 PM ET Millicent Bender, Davis Jenkins, and community college presidents from Lorain County Community College, Odessa College, and Southwest Wisconsin Technical College will share strategies to help students enter high-value pathways leading to strong post-graduation outcomes. If you’re attending #DREAM2025 in Philly, join us for these critical discussions! 🚀