SPSCC named Aspen Prize finalist for third time 

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) has been named as one of 10 finalists for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence for the third time. 

The award is the nation’s signature recognition for community colleges.

Backed by $1 million in award funds, the award from the Aspen Institute honors  community colleges that achieve strong outcomes focused on whether students finish credentials leading to bachelor’s degrees and jobs that pay family sustaining wages.   

“Advancing to the top 10 once again is a powerful reflection of the consistency and care our entire campus community brings to supporting students,” said SPSCC Presidnet Dr. Timothy Stokes in an announcement about the award on June 9.

SPSCC has been selected as a top 3 finalist with Distinction in 2025 and a top 10 finalist in 2023 for the award. 

The Aspen Prize selection process evaluates data and reviews applications that show which colleges achieve improvement in student outcomes in several aspects, including student learning, credential completion, labor market success and bachelor’s attainment. 

The selection process started in October 2025. The Aspen Institute used a formula to assess student outcomes to select 200 colleges and invite them to apply for the prize. A total of 170 colleges applied, and a 15-member independent selection committee selected 25 semifinalists, and ultimately 10 finalists. 

Teams of experts will conduct in-depth site visits to each finalist site in fall 2026 and review additional data. An independent Aspen Prize jury will select the Aspen Prize winner, which will be announced in April 2027. 

The Ascendium Education Group and the Joyce Foundation fund the Aspen Prize.