The Californer - Moorpark College Advances to Top 10 in National Competition for Million Prize

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Aspen Institute Names Top 10 Community Colleges from Across the Country

MOORPARK, Calif. - Californer -- Moorpark College has been named a top 10 finalist for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Presented by The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, the $1 million award is the nation's signature recognition of strong performance among community colleges. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

Moorpark College was a finalist in the 2023-24 award cycle, ultimately placing third for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

"This recognition is an incredible honor," said Julius Sokenu, president of Moorpark College. "It's also a testament to the work Moorpark College does each year to improve our students' experiences and support their success. In the last year, Moorpark College has increased academic counseling support for students, enhanced programs and resources to meet the needs of disproportionately impacted student populations, and expanded our learning support services to improve student outcomes in transfer level courses. Receiving recognition for our ongoing work to ensure our students' success is a great honor for our faculty, classified professionals, and administrators."

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In October, Aspen invited 150 community colleges to apply for the prize based on data showing high, improving, and equitable levels of student success, and 20 semifinalists were selected and announced in May. The committee continued its review and narrowed the field to the 10 finalists. In this year's award cycle, Moorpark College is the only California Community College that advanced as a finalist.

"This latest recognition is a reflection of the extraordinary leadership, collaboration and innovative spirit within our college community," said Bernardo Perez, chair of the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees. "It signifies our ongoing pursuit of excellence in providing transformational educational experiences for our students. The Board of Trustees is incredibly proud of this repeat accomplishment and are dedicated to advancing our mission of student success and equity."

"Being named a finalist for the Aspen Prize for a second time is a profound honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students," said Rick MacLennan, chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District. "It reaffirms our unwavering commitment to excellence and equity in education. We are deeply proud for Moorpark College to be recognized among the nation's best community colleges!"

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Moorpark College awaits the next steps in the award selection process, which includes a multi-day in-person site visit to each of the 10 colleges recognized as finalists.

For more information about Moorpark College and our award-winning programs, visit the Moorpark College website. (https://www.moorparkcollege.edu/)