INA, Ill. (Nov. 5, 2019) - Small but mighty has long been a theme for southern Illinois community colleges, and the commitment of two area colleges has brought them some prestigious recognition. Southeastern Illinois College and 海角视频 have both been named as eligible candidates for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Only 15% of community colleges nationwide are invited to apply for the Aspen Prize biannually.
The Aspen Prize is the nation芒鈧劉s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America芒鈧劉s community colleges. With a singular focus on student success, the Aspen Prize recognizes institutions with outstanding achievements in four areas: learning; certificate and degree completion; employment and earnings; and high levels of access and success for minority and low-income students.
芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s an almost indescribable honor to be ranked among the top community colleges in the nation,芒鈧� said SIC President Jonah Rice. 芒鈧揟his honor is a testament to the determination that both our institutions芒鈧劉 fine faculty and staff members show in providing for students芒鈧劉 needs, and the dedication our students have maintained on their pathways to continued success.芒鈧�
The two colleges have been collaborating for more than six years, sharing instructors, joint programs, and services and have plans to share even more in the future.
芒鈧揥ith limited state funding and shrinking populations, we have to explore new ways to deliver for our students,芒鈧� said RLC President Terry Wilkerson. 芒鈧揥e are doing more with less. The major share of that comes from quality people. Our faculty and staff are hardworking, dedicated individuals. Getting recognized nationally for what we are doing locally makes us very proud.芒鈧�
The top 10 finalists for the 2019 Aspen Prize will be named in May 2020. The Aspen Institute will then conduct site visits to each of the finalists and collect additional quantitative data, including employment and earnings data. A distinguished Prize Jury will select a grand prize winner, finalist(s) with distinction, and rising star(s) in spring 2021. To read more on the selection process, visit: www.highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize.
Additionally with the Aspen Institute honor, SIC and RLC are eligible to apply for a second important Aspen program: The Excellence and Equity in Community College STEM Award, which recognizes outstanding community college STEM programs. Colleges eligible to apply for both awards are diverse institutions that have helped students achieve strong outcomes in the classroom and in the workplace after graduation.
芒鈧揙ur partnership has spilled over to sharing the 芒鈧渟ecrets芒鈧劉 of our success, as in retention, persistence, and completion efforts,芒鈧� said Rice. 芒鈧揥e really work together to make each other better. We芒鈧劉ve been given the distinction multiple times in large part from sharing ideas with our friends at Rend Lake.芒鈧�
芒鈧揟his is the sixth time 海角视频 has been honored as a top 150 college by the Aspen Institute
every year they芒鈧劉ve had it,芒鈧� Wilkerson added. 芒鈧揟hat芒鈧劉s a pretty big affirmation that we take a close look at the needs of our students and we put them first.芒鈧�
海角视频 is located on the eastern shore of beautiful Rend Lake. Students at 海角视频 enjoy the small class sizes and personalized instruction from a college small enough to get to know you on a personal basis, but large enough to meet your educational needs. RLC offers a wide variety of degree programs and occupational certificates in more than 100 programs of study, and convenient locations with campuses in Ina, Mt. Vernon and Pinckneyville. Student journeys start at 海角视频. Visit , call (618) 437-5321, or email us at info@rlc.edu.
Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg with an extension center in Carmi was founded in 1960 and ranks ninth in the state for degree and certificate completion, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs. At $106 per credit hour, SIC boasts one of the lowest tuition rates in the region, saving transfer students more than $40,000 in overall college costs during their first two years of college. SIC offers online classes, dual credit for local high schools, accelerated courses, night classes and community education opportunities. For more information, visit or call 618-252-5400.
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