NVC Named as a Top U.S. Community College Eligible for the 2027 Aspen Prize

San Antonio, Oct. 28, 2025 - Today, the Aspen Institute named Northwest Vista College as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete in 2027 for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among community colleges. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for students.

This recognition is a powerful highlight in NVC's milestone year, commemorating three decades of delivering accessible, high-quality education and fostering student success in the San Antonio community. The Alamo Colleges District has a legacy of being recognized by the Aspen Institute. For the fifth consecutive time, NVC has been invited to compete at the national level for this prestigious award. For the 2025 competition, which ended earlier this year, NVC was named a “Finalist” and was among the top 10 colleges to compete for the $1 million Aspen prize. San Antonio College earned the coveted Aspen Prize in 2021, while Palo Alto College was awarded a Rising Star in the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

The Aspen Prize is awarded biennially to recognize excellence among the more than 1,000 community colleges across the U.S., which collectively impact 12 million students. NVC, with more than 22,000 students, distinguished itself from competitors through several key strengths, including high transfer and bachelor's degree rates, clear academic program maps, and a robust advising structure. The college also earned distinction for its advocacy centers that address crucial needs like housing, food insecurity, and student mental health.

“As Northwest Vista College celebrates its 30th anniversary, the entire Alamo Colleges District family congratulates NVC for being named among the top community colleges nationwide,” said Alamo Colleges District Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores. “This recognition is a powerful affirmation of the transformative role community colleges play in building brighter futures and another milestone in our moonshot to end poverty through education and training.”

As a next step, the 200 eligible colleges have been invited to participate in a rigorous review process that will culminate in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027. Over the coming 20 months, the colleges that apply for the Aspen Prize will be rigorously assessed based on (1) student outcomes data, ranging from student retention and completion rates to employment and wages after graduation, and (2) whether they have engaged in scaled practices that led to improving student outcomes.

“This recognition from the Aspen Institute affirms what our students, faculty, and community experience every day on campus: Northwest Vista College is a place where learning changes lives,” said Dr. Amy Bosley, President of Northwest Vista College. “To be named among the top community colleges in the nation as we celebrate our 30th anniversary is an extraordinary honor. It reflects the passion and excellence of our faculty and staff, the determination of our students, and the unwavering support of our community. Together, we’re proving what’s possible when access, innovation, and purpose come together to transform lives."