ELGIN, Ill. — The Aspen Institute has named Elgin Community College (ECC) as one of the top 200 community colleges in the nation eligible to compete for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million in shared Aspen Prize funds. The Aspen Prize is the nation’s signature recognition of achievement and performance among two-year institutions. 

This marks the fifth time ECC has earned this distinction, previously being recognized in 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025. The repeat recognition highlights ECC’s sustained commitment to equitable student success, innovation, and excellence in higher education. 

The Aspen Prize honors colleges with outstanding outcomes in student learning, completion, transfer, and post-graduation success. Selected from more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide, ECC earned this distinction for its strong performance in supporting students of all backgrounds to achieve academic and career goals. 

“Elgin Community College is honored to be recognized once again by the Aspen Institute for our dedication to ensuring every student achieves success,” said Peggy Heinrich, EdD, president of ECC. “This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our faculty, staff, and administration to support student learning, persistence, and pathways that lead to meaningful careers and further education.” 

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program identifies and shares strategies from high-performing community colleges to advance student success across the nation. The 200 selected institutions are invited to submit additional data and narratives as part of a competitive process that will culminate in the announcement of the 2027 Aspen Prize winner in the spring of 2027 at an event in Washington, D.C.

For a full list of eligible institutions and details on the selection process, visit highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize.