College Excellence Program

What Colleges Do Matters.

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.

Our Impact

Since our inception in 2011, the College Excellence Program has had one central goal: advancing excellence and equity in student outcomes at institutions of higher education. We advance that goal through multiple programs, including the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the American Talent Initiative, the Aspen Presidents and Rising Presidents Fellowships, Unlocking Opportunity, and a range of transfer initiatives designed to improve bachelor’s attainment for students who start in community college. Each year, our work engages hundreds of college leaders at universities and community colleges that educate millions of students nationwide.