Moorpark College Named Aspen Institute Semifinalist for Prestigious 2023 Aspen Prize

MOORPARK, Calif. - April 28, 2022 - PRLog -- The Aspen Institute announced on April 27 that Moorpark College is one of 25 semifinalists for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, adding a milestone in the award selection process. Previously, only 10 finalists were named, and this change is designed to highlight the increased number of colleges nationwide doing excellent work.

The $1 million Aspen Prize is the nation's signature recognition of community colleges achieving high, improving and equitable outcomes for students.

Of the 25 semifinalists, only Moorpark College and Imperial Valley College are located in California. For the 2021 Aspen Prize, Moorpark College was named a Top 150 U.S. Community College.

"We are honored to make it to this next milestone for the 2023 Aspen Prize! The excellent work taking place at Moorpark College demonstrates the efforts of our students, faculty and staff. It exemplifies our commitment to empowering learners and facilitating the academic and career achievements of our students. When we provide equitable educational opportunities, our students and community benefit, " said Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College.

"We thank the Aspen Institute for this prestigious recognition. It is a testament to the forward-thinking leadership at Moorpark College and the hard work and dedication of the students," said Chancellor Greg Gillespie. "Each of our colleges—Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura—were named among the Top 150 U.S. Community Colleges Eligible for the 2023 Aspen Prize, which reflects on the excellence of Ventura County's community colleges."

Awarded every two years, the Aspen Prize honors colleges with outstanding performance in five critical areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor's attainment, workforce success and equitable outcomes for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. The winner will be announced spring 2023.

The Prize selection process began this past October, when the Aspen Institute invited 150 community colleges to apply, based on data showing strong and improving student outcomes in key areas such as retention, completion, transfer and equity. Applications went to a diverse selection committee of 16 higher education experts who reviewed extensive data and application narratives. For the list of 25 semifinalists, visit https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize-semifinal....

The committee will review interviews with leadership teams and narrow down the 25 semifinalists to 10 finalists, to be announced in early June 2022.