Recognitions

Northwest Vista College has been recognized at the national, state, and regional levels with awards for the many accomplishments that fulfill its mission "to inspire, empower, and educate our community for leadership and success."

2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence 

Northwest Vista College was announced as a 2025 Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College on October 31!

The $1 million Aspen Prize aims to elevate the community college sector and draw attention to what exemplary colleges can do to promote economic mobility for students and talent development for communities.

Read more about the selection process and the Top 150 eligible institutions here: as.pn/prize.

Read Press Release Here


 

2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence 

Northwest Vista College is the only community college in San Antonio and one of eight in Texas that was invited to compete for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Institutions chosen have a chance to compete for $1 million, which is awarded every two years. The Aspen Prize is the nation’s highest recognition in community college education that recognizes excellence in teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success as well as equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

 

2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence 

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named Northwest Vista College, San Antonio College, and Palo Alto College - three of the colleges of the Alamo Colleges District, to the list of 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges. Only 15 percent of community colleges nationwide have been invited to apply for the Aspen Prize.

 

Niche Award

Niche 2022 Best College in the Nation
NVC placed No. 34 nationally by Niche 2022 Best Community Colleges in America.

Niche 2022 Best Colleges in Texas
Ranked No. 2 among the best colleges in Texas by Niche 2022 Best Colleges in Texas.

Niche.com is a national search and data tool that helps millions of students and families find schools, colleges and universities. Niche uses academic, financial and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with reviews from students and alumni.

2022 Niche.com in Texas
#2 – Northwest Vista College
#7 – Palo Alto College
#11 – St. Philip’s College
#21 – San Antonio College

 

Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges

Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges

“Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges”

Received the 2021 AND 2022 “Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges” recognitions from “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education” magazine and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD). NVC is among a few colleges selected for this award from over 300 qualifying in the Unites States. 

Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence 

Nominated for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance in America’s community colleges. The award is based on four categories: learning, certificate and degree completion, employment & earning, and high levels of access and success for minority and low-income students. Northwest Vista College was selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 public two-year colleges nationwide --and one of 15 out of 125 in Texas -- to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize.

Community College Futures Assembly

 

2018 Bellwether Top 10 Award Finalist 

Awarded the 2018 Bellwether Top 10 Award Finalist recognition from the Institute of Higher Education & FUTURES Bellwether College Consortium for outstanding and innovative community college programs and practices.

 

Diverse Issues In Higher Education

Diversity Recognition  

Dr. Ric Baser (former NVC president) was featured on the cover of the May 17, 2018 publication of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine for his commitment to cultivating a college community that promotes diversity, graduation and retention.

Best Colleges Award

2018 Best Colleges in Texas

Ranked No. 2 among the best community colleges in Texas on the 2018 Best Colleges.com website. The ranking is based on key performance indicators including acceptance, retention, graduation, enrollment rates and loan default percentages as a measure of graduates’ success. This is the third year in a row that Northwest Vista College has been listed as one of the top three community colleges on this list. It’s also the first year that four of the colleges within the Alamo Colleges District are included in this ranking.

Niche Award

Niche 2018 Best College in the Nation

NVC placed No. 41 nationally out of 851 colleges by Niche 2018 Best Community Colleges in America.

 

Niche 2018 Best Colleges in Texas

Ranked No. 3 among the best colleges in Texas by Niche 2018 Best Colleges in Texas.

 

Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges

“Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges”

Received the 2018 “Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges” recognitions from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) and “Diverse: Issues in Higher Education” magazine. NVC is among 18 colleges selected for this award from over 300 qualifying in the Unites States. NVC is one of five colleges in Texas and the only college in San Antonio to receive this award in 2018.

 

Hispanic Outlook On Education Magazine

Top 10 Community Colleges by Hispanic Outlook Magazine

Ranked as the fourth community college in the nation for Hispanics by Hispanic Outlook Magazine based on enrollment and degree completion data. 

Seal of Texas House of Representatives

State of Texas Resolution

State Representative Ina Minjarez presents a resolution to Dr. Ric Baser (former NVC president) and Northwest Vista College in celebration of the college’s recognition as the best community college in Texas.

 

North Estern Oklahoma

2018 Outstanding Alumnus Award

President Dr. Ric Baser selected as a recipient for the 2018 Outstanding Alumnus Award from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Alumni Association and Foundation.

Fellow Southern Psychological Association

Fellow of the Southern Psychological Association

 Psychology professor Dr. Don R. Lucas bestowed to Fellow status of the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWAPA) in recognition of significant achievements in the field of psychology for his service, scholarship, visibility and leadership. This is the highest honor awarded to a member of SWAPA and only the third granted in the history of the organization.