SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) is proud to announce that 21 Illinois community colleges have been named among the nation’s top 200 two-year institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The prestigious award recognizes outstanding student outcomes, including retention, program completion, transfer and bachelor’s-degree attainment.
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The inclusion of nearly half the community colleges in Illinois underscores the strength of the state’s community college system, which is celebrating 60 years of excellence this year, in promoting student success and advancing economic mobility across diverse regions of the state.
“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 Aspen Prize process requires eligible colleges to apply and participate in a rigorous multi-stage review. Over the coming 20 months, colleges participating will be evaluated based on outcomes data and evidence of scaled practices that drive improvements in student success.
“The inclusion of these Illinois colleges among the top 200 underscores our statewide commitment to student success, equity and innovation. These institutions are making a real difference locally and nationally—this recognition affirms the value and impact of their work for students, employers and communities,” said ICCB Board Chair Dr. Sylvia Jenkins.
The full list of eligible colleges in Illinois is as follows:
- Carl Sandburg College
- College of Lake County
- Danville Area Community College
- Elgin Community College
- Harper College
- Highland Community College
- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
- Illinois Valley Community College
- John A. Logan College
- John Wood Community College
- Kishwaukee College
- Lake Land College
- Lincoln Land Community College
- McHenry County College
- Oakton College
- Rend Lake College
- Rock Valley College
- Sauk Valley Community College
- Shawnee Community College
- Spoon River College
- Triton College
The winner of the $1 million award will be announced in spring 2027.
About the Illinois Community College Board
The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) is the state coordinating organization for the Illinois Community College System - the third largest in the country and the leading public workforce development trainer in the state. The ICCB is responsible for administering state and federal grants and managing high school equivalency testing for Illinois. Illinois is home to 45 colleges in 39 community college districts.
