Green River College (GRC) was named one of the top 150 community colleges in the U.S. by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.

The college is now eligible to win a $1 million “Aspen Prize” from the Aspen Institute. Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization with a mission to realize a just and equitable society, according to its mission statement.

GRC was selected out of a pool of nearly 1,000 community colleges in the U.S. It was picked because of its high level of increasing student success and its equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students, according to Aspen Institute.

“Green River College being named an ‘Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College’ is very exciting and a huge honor,” GRC President Suzanne M. Johnson said. “I am very proud of the dedication and commitment of our faculty and staff to meet students where they are, and provide inclusive, equitable access to the quality education and support services needed for them to reach their personal, education and career goals.”

A panel of experts will select the top 10 community colleges in the country during the spring and summer of 2022, according to Aspen Institute. If GRC makes it to the top 10, the experts will tour the college the following fall.

Finally, a jury will select the top school in 2023 and award it the $1 million Aspen Prize, according to the institute.