Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) has recently received letters of congratulations from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education Executive Director Dr. Gregory G. Fitch, and the American Association of Community Colleges President and CEO Dr. Walter G. Bumphus. The letters were in response to NACC being named as one of the top community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute (Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence).

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education is responsible for the overall statewide planning and coordination of higher education in Alabama, the administration of various student aid programs and the performance of designated regulatory functions. The American Association of Community Colleges has, over four decades, become the leading proponent and the national “voice for community colleges.” The association functions as a forum for the nation’s two-year colleges.

Fitch described NACC’s national designation as one of the top community colleges in the United States as “quite an honor.” The Aspen Institute recently named Northeast as one of the Top 120 community colleges in the United States for the second year in a row.

“Congratulations on the national recognition bestowed on Northeast Alabama Community College by the Aspen Institute,” Fitch stated in a letter of congratulations sent to Dr. David Campbell, NACC President. “It is quite an honor to be ranked in the top 10% of America’s community colleges.  I know that many students have benefitted from the instruction that they have received at Northeast.  Please extend my congratulations to the faculty and staff for preparing students for careers and continued education.” He added, “Again, my congratulations for a job well done. The excellent educational programs and opportunities that are made available through the community college system are a source of pride for all Alabamians.”

Bumphus stated to Campbell, “Congratulations on your college’s being one of only 120 community colleges nationwide that have been determined eligible to apply for the second annual $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. It is a testament to your leadership to be included in such a prestigious group.”

The Aspen Institute has again identified the top 120 American community colleges based on specific criteria, including student success, improvement in learning outcomes, and equity in outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds. Data utilized in the selection process included federal IPEDS reports. Being chosen in the Top 120 places colleges in the top ten percent of community colleges in the nation. There are approximately 1,200 community colleges in America. More than seven million students—youth and adult learners—enroll in America’s 1,200 community colleges every year.

“The Aspen Institute has been involved with this recognition project with the United States Department of Education and the American Community College Association,” stated Dr. David Campbell, NACC President. “So indeed this is national recognition for Northeast and we are very pleased to be acknowledged for our work here at the college. Credit for this certainly is due to our entire staff, faculty and administrators, advisory and foundation boards, as well as from all the support we get from our local school systems and the community.”

By being chosen, Northeast became once again eligible to compete for one million dollars in grants. Northeast personnel currently are preparing the application for this competition and hope to be named one of the ten finalists. The Aspen Institute initiated this program and competition in an effort to improve the quality and effectiveness of community colleges throughout America by identifying best practices at the selected colleges.

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