News & Updates
97欧美精品一区二区三区 the Dream proudly announces that 68 colleges have earned Leader College or Leader College of Distinction status, recognitions of excellence bestowed annually upon deserving institutions within the organization’s network. The colleges will retain their status for a three-year term after which they may apply to be reassessed.
The 32 Leader Colleges of Distinction include 13 colleges that have earned the honor for the first time, demonstrating sustained and substantial outcomes in the advancement of student success: Bakersfield College, Bellevue College, Berkshire Community College, Community College of Allegheny County, Community College of Beaver County, Dallas College, Durham Technical Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, Muskegon Community College, Southwest Tennessee Community College, United Tribes Technical College, and Western Technical College.
Nineteen colleges have recertified their status as Leader Colleges of Distinction: Alamo Colleges District, College of Lake County, College of Southern Nevada, Cuyahoga Community College, Delaware Technical Community College, Everett Community College, Grayson College, Harper College, Hudson County Community College, Little Priest Tribal College, Lorain County Community College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Odessa College, Passaic County Community College, Pierce College, Roane State Community College, San Jacinto College, Stanly Community College, and Tallahassee State College.
ATD created the Leader College of Distinction award in 2018 to recognize colleges that have pursued and met challenging student success goals, often earning Leader College status several times. Leader Colleges of Distinction must demonstrate sustained and expanding success in early momentum metrics, such as student retention, as well as in milestone momentum outcomes, such as rates of completion; a strong culture of data-informed continuous improvement; and evidence that effective practices are institutionalized. These colleges advance student success strategies that respond to their local context with emphasis on students who are missing or left behind.
Thirty-six community colleges from the ATD Network have been honored with Leader College status in recognition of meaningful progress in expanding access and early momentum, advancing relevant student success strategies with evidence of implementation and early results, and growing institutional capacity through culture and capacity-building efforts.
The cohort of 21 new Leader Colleges includes the following institutions: Clark State College, Clover Park Technical College, Community College of Aurora, Flathead Valley Community College, Halifax Community College, Harrisburg Area Community College, Institute of American Indian Arts, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, Meridian Community College, Miami Dade College, Middlesex Community College, Montgomery College (Maryland), Mott Community College, Navajo Technical University, Northwood Technical College, Stone Child College, SUNY Onondaga Community College, Tohono O’odham Community College, Triton College, and Wake Technical Community College.
Fifteen institutions have recertified their status as Leader Colleges: Anne Arundel Community College, Bunker Hill Community College, Century College, Community College of Baltimore County, Delta College, Edmonds College, El Paso Community College, Elgin Community College, Grand Rapids Community College, Lane Community College, Macomb Community College, Oakton College, South Central College, Tidewater Community College, and Wayne County Community College District.
“The 2026 Leader Colleges and Leader Colleges of Distinction demonstrate sustained commitment and measurable progress in advancing student success,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of 97欧美精品一区二区三区 the Dream. “By using data to guide decisions and continuously strengthen their practices, these institutions are producing real gains in student outcomes, strengthening their practices, and deepening their impact in the communities they serve. Their leadership sets a powerful example for colleges across the ATD Network, reflecting the focus, discipline, and follow-through required to achieve lasting institutional change.”