The Aspen Institute again named Renton Technical College one of the top 150 community colleges in the country. RTC is eligible to compete for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges.

The  Aspen Prize honors colleges with outstanding achievement in five critical areas: teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelor’s attainment, workforce success, and equity for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

“This recognition means much to us because equity is at the core of our mission to ensure students succeed,” said RTC President Kevin McCarthy. “The Aspen Institute sets a high bar that aligns with our continual work to remove barriers and support all students.”

The Aspen Institute has recognized RTC for this biennial honor five times and was a Top 10 College in 2015. McCarthy was selected for the 2020-21 Aspen New Presidents Fellowship, an initiative to help presidents to accelerate transformational change on behalf of students.

The Aspen Prize spotlights exemplary community colleges doing the best work. Since 2010, Aspen has chosen to focus intensively on community colleges because they are—as First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stated at the 2021 Aspen Prize ceremony—“a powerful engine of prosperity.”

and ensuring that diverse populations experience economic mobility and prosperity.

“In an era of persistent inequity and workforce talent gaps, our nation’s best community colleges are stepping up to deliver more degrees to increasingly diverse students so they are prepared for the good jobs waiting to be filled,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.

Read more about the Aspen Prize and see all the top 150 colleges.