On June 9, the Aspen Institute (Aspen) named Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College as one of 10 community colleges as finalists for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition for community colleges. Backed by $1 million in award funds, the Aspen Prize honors colleges that achieve strong outcomes, focusing on whether students complete credentials that lead to bachelor’s attainment and jobs that pay family-sustaining wages.

The prestigious award recognizes community colleges that achieve exceptional student outcomes, including credential completion, transfer and bachelor’s degree attainment, employment success, and wages that support economic mobility. This marks the second time MGCCC has advanced to the Top 10 finalists and continues a pattern of national recognition for student success, with the college earning placement among Aspen’s top-ranked institutions multiple times in recent years.

“Being named one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation is an extraordinary honor and a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff, administrators, and students,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. “At MGCCC, student success drives every decision we make. This recognition reflects our commitment to providing transformative educational opportunities, strengthening workforce pathways, and helping students achieve meaningful careers and continued academic success. We are proud to represent Mississippi on the national stage and grateful for the opportunity to showcase the impact community colleges have on the lives of students and the communities we serve.”

Community colleges enroll approximately 40 percent of all undergraduate students in the United States and play a critical role in preparing students for both transfer to four-year institutions and direct entry into high-demand careers. The Aspen Prize recognizes colleges that not only provide access to higher education but also demonstrate measurable success in helping students achieve positive outcomes after graduation.

“Student outcomes like those we see at the 10 finalists cannot be achieved without major reforms to programs of study, student advising systems, and other college practices that we know make a difference,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “We’re excited to dive in and learn more about how these colleges accomplished these outcomes so that we can elevate their work and enable 1,000 community colleges nationally to achieve similar success.”

The Aspen Prize selection process began in October 2025 when Aspen identified 200 community colleges nationwide based on student outcome data and invited them to apply. From 170 applicants, an independent 15-member selection committee chose 25 semifinalists before narrowing the field to the 10 finalists announced this month.

Over nearly two years, the selection process examines student success data and institutional practices related to student learning, credential completion, labor market outcomes, transfer rates, and bachelor’s degree attainment. During fall 2026, teams of experts will conduct site visits to each finalist institution before an independent Aspen Prize Jury selects the winner.

The 2027 Aspen Prize winner will be announced in April 2027.

For more information about the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and the complete list of finalists, visit as.pn/prize.