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The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program’s report on rural community colleges draws on the experiences of rural community colleges that consistently achieve high graduation and transfer rates and offers practical strategies grounded in local success.
This guide shares lessons from top-performing rural colleges, including past Aspen Prize winners, on how to help students succeed and support thriving local communities.
Key takeaways include:
- Strong employer partnerships that align programs with local job opportunities
- Clear program pathways that help students finish faster and with purpose
- Proactive advising and support to keep students on track through challenges
- A shared culture of excellence where every staff and faculty member is invested in student success
The strategies outlined in the guide also align with Aspen CSG’s WealthWorks approach, which emphasizes connecting people, places, and firms through local value chains to build lasting regional wealth.
When rural colleges offer credentials tied to in-demand local jobs, they do more than educate—they fuel local economies. This approach is especially powerful in fields like early childhood education and health care, where employers face urgent staffing shortages.
