(WAND) — The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) announced that 21 Illinois community colleges, including several in central Illinois, have been named among the nations top 200 two-year institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

The award recognizes outstanding student outcomes, including retention, program completion, transfer and bachelor's-degree attainment.

"Today's announcement reflects the extraordinary work performed by Illinois community colleges in building accessible, high-quality pathways for students to complete credentials, transfer to four-year institutions, and achieve meaningful careers," said ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham. "We commend each of our 21 institutions for this national recognition and look

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