FSCJ Named One of 150 Top US Community Colleges Eligible to Compete for $1 Million Dollar Aspen Prize
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) has just been named one of 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance in America’s community colleges. This is the second time in the last three years FSCJ has been ranked in the top 10%.
FSCJ was selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 public, two-year colleges nationwide to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize.
“The selection as one of the most prestigious colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute is a testament to the dedicated work of both our faculty and students at FSCJ,” said FSCJ President Dr. Cynthia Bioteau. “Our leadership at every level within the College works diligently to provide exceptional academic opportunities for our students. This recognition is proof that we continue to improve outcomes for all students.”
Awarded every two years since 2011, the Aspen Prize recognizes institutions with outstanding achievements in four areas: learning; certificate and degree completion; employment and earnings; and high levels of access and success for minority and low-income students.
FSCJ will move forward to the next round of the competition for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence to be reviewed through a rigorous evaluation for a spot on the top 10 Aspen Prize finalists list. Top 10 finalists will be named in May 2018. The Aspen Institute will then conduct site visits to each of the finalists and collect additional quantitative data. A distinguished Prize Jury will select a grand prize winner, finalist(s) with distinction, and rising star(s) in spring 2019.
About FSCJ
Known as “the community’s college,” Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) exists to provide valuable, high-quality learning opportunities to anyone with the desire to enhance themselves through the pursuit of higher education. Serving more than 50,000 students and awarding more than 8,600 degrees and certificates on an annual basis, the College plays a significant role in supplying the region’s employers with a highly skilled, educated workforce.