Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College has been selected by the Aspen Institute as one of 200 colleges nationwide eligible to compete for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence — the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year institutions of higher learning. The $1 million Aspen Prize honors colleges that deliver strong student outcomes both during college and after graduation.

This marks the sixth time MGCCC has been invited to compete for the Aspen Prize, demonstrating the college’s sustained commitment to student success and excellence.

“Being named among the 200 colleges eligible for the 2027 Aspen Prize is a tremendous honor for MGCCC,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, President of MGCCC. “It reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff and students to creating pathways for achievement, transfer and career success. We are deeply committed to ensuring that our students not only complete their programs but graduate prepared for what comes next — stronger jobs, further education, and meaningful lives.”

The 200 eligible colleges were selected based on publicly available student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer and bachelor’s-degree attainment rates. The Aspen Prize process begins with this eligibility list and continues with applications, rigorous analysis and site visits over a 20-month period, ultimately culminating in the naming of the winner in spring 2027.

“Together, these 200 colleges represent the breadth and diversity of the community college sector. They are in urban, rural and suburban areas across the country and serve anywhere from a few hundred students to tens of thousands,” the Aspen Institute said in its announcement. “Some of these colleges focus primarily on workforce programs, while others focus on transfer and bachelor’s attainment or a combination of the two.”

Josh Wyner, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, added: “The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students—completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success. Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.”

With this latest acknowledgment, MGCCC strengthens its standing among the leading U.S. community colleges driving student success and equity. The college will now undertake the application process and submit required documentation to the Aspen Institute as part of the next phase of competition.