Three Michigan community colleges were named to a prestigious list — and all of them are found in the rural north

What’s happening: The Aspen Institute has selected three Michigan community colleges for its
Top 200 U.S. Community Colleges list, with each located in the state’s more rural northern
communities. And while making the Top 200 list can be considered a distinction unto itself, the
placement also gives each college a chance at the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community
College Excellence in 2027.

What it is: The 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College marks the ninth cycle for the award,
which the Aspen Institute first launched in 2010. The global nonprofit headquartered in the U.S.
touts its Top U.S. Community Colleges list as the premier recognition of high achievement and
performance for such schools, weighing student retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s
attainment rates among its scoring system. In Michigan: The three schools representing Michigan among the nation’s Top 200 institutions include North Central Michigan College in Petoskey, Alpena Community College in Alpena, and
Gogebic Community College in Ironwood.

Why it’s important: “This recognition affirms North Central’s mission of creating pathways to
opportunity for every student,” says NCMC President David Roland Finley. “Being named an
Aspen Prize Top 200 college reflects the collective effort of our faculty, staff, and students to
achieve excellence in learning, completion, and career success.”

“We’re delighted to receive this special recognition as a 2027 Aspen Prize: Top 200 institution,”
says ACC President Dr. Don MacMaster. “The Aspen Prize is widely recognized as the premier
community college award nationally. It represents a milestone institutional accomplishment
that’s the result of faculty, staff, and K-12 partners working together with a shared focus on the
multitude of factors leading to student success. I would like to thank everyone who contributed
to ACC receiving this award. Your effort makes a difference.”

What’s next: Each college has until Tuesday, Dec. 9, to apply for the award. A group of 25
semi-finalists will be named in April 2026 in the next step of what amounts to a 20-month
campaign toward the $1 million prize in 2027.