Utqiaġvik, Alaska — Iḷisaġvik College is proud to announce that it has been named one of the 200 U.S. community colleges eligible for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence for 2027, a national recognition administered by the Aspen Institute.
The $1 million Aspen Prize is awarded every two years and is the nation’s premier award for community colleges. It recognizes institutions demonstrating exceptional results in areas such as teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s-degree attainment, workforce success after graduation, and equitable access to higher education.
Becoming eligible for the Aspen Prize underscores Iḷisaġvik’s ongoing commitment to the College’s vision—to help build strong communities through education and training—and to advancing educational opportunity for our students and the region.
Selection among the top 200 colleges signifies national recognition of Iḷisaġvik’s efforts in supporting student success, advancing workforce readiness, strengthening community vitality and Tribal College access. As the rigorous Aspen review process unfolds, Iḷisaġvik will have further opportunities to showcase achievements in student outcomes including retention, completion, transfer, and employment, as well as scaling effective practices that promote high-quality student learning and success.
The application process for the 2027 Aspen Prize is open now, with deadlines expected in late 2025. If selected as a semifinalist or finalist, Iḷisaġvik will participate in a comprehensive review of student data, institutional practices, and site visits in 2026 before the Prize winner is announced in Spring 2027.
Being named eligible for the Aspen Prize is a significant honor and a reflection of the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and community partners. Iḷisaġvik looks forward to continuing our work to empower learners, honor Iñupiaq heritage, and build thriving communities through education.
About Iḷisaġvik College
Iḷisaġvik College is Alaska’s only Tribal college and is located in the northernmost
village in the United States, Utqiaġvik (Barrow). Iḷisaġvik College provides quality
post-secondary academic, career, and technical education in a learning environment
that perpetuates and strengthens Iñupiat culture, language, values, and traditions.
It is dedicated to serving its students and developing a well-educated and trained
workforce who meet the human resource needs of North Slope employers and the state
of Alaska.
About Aspen Institute College Excellence Program
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education
leadership and practice to improve student outcomes—with the ultimate goal of advancing
economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society
as a whole. For more information, visit the website.
About Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite
human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world.
Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action
to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC
and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.
For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.
Iḷisaġvik College Contact:
Caitlin Walls
Executive Director of Institutional Advancement
907-319-8755
caitlin.walls@ilisagvik.edu