(WAND) — The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) announced that 21 Illinois community colleges, including several in central Illinois, have been named among the nations top 200 two-year institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
The award recognizes outstanding student outcomes, including retention, program completion, transfer and bachelor's-degree attainment.
"Today's announcement reflects the extraordinary work performed by Illinois community colleges in building accessible, high-quality pathways for students to complete credentials, transfer to four-year institutions, and achieve meaningful careers," said ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham. "We commend each of our 21 institutions for this national recognition and look forward to supporting them as they move into the next stage of the Aspen Prize competition."
The colleges eligible for the prize in Illinois include Danville Area Community College, Lake Land College and Lincoln Land Community College.
The winner of the $1 million award will be announced in Spring 2027.
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