November 5, 2021 

Media Contact:
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436

WVC was named this week to the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program list of top 150 community colleges in the nation.

The honor allows WVC to compete for $1 million in shared prize funds to be awarded in 2023. The Aspen Prize recognizes community colleges for outstanding student outcomes in five critical areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, and equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

“It is an honor to be included in the list of the Aspen Institute’s top 150 community colleges,” said WVC President Jim Richardson. “Our faculty and staff work tirelessly to remove barriers, prepare students for careers or transfer, improve student success and achieve equitable outcomes for all students.”

The Aspen Institute selects the top 150 colleges from more than 1,000 public community and technical colleges nationwide. The Aspen Prize was established in 2011 and is awarded every two years. Nine other Washington community and technical colleges were nominated this year. Learn more about the Aspen Institute at highered.aspeninstitute.org.

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Wenatchee Valley College enriches North Central Washington by serving educational and cultural needs of communities and residents throughout the service area. The college is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion for all students and employees and provides high-quality transfer, liberal arts, professional/technical, basic skills and continuing education for students of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds. Visit our website, wvc.edu. 

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Director of Student Access, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.