SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND (February 20, 2025) — Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization committed to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs of learning, credentialing, and economic mobility, proudly announces that 23 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 eight Leader Colleges of Distinction include three colleges that have earned the honor for the first time, demonstrating sustained and significant outcomes in the advancement of student success: College of Lake County (Illinois), Little Priest Tribal College (Nebraska), and Southwestern Oregon Community College.
In addition, five colleges have recertified their status as Leader Colleges of Distinction: Chattanooga State Community College (Tennessee), Lemoore College (California), North Central State College (Ohio), Odessa College (Texas), and Pierce College (Washington). This year’s cohort of Leader Colleges of Distinction joins thirty ATD colleges who previously earned this distinction.
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 show improvement in three or more student outcome metrics, including at least one lagging indicator, such as completion or transfer with an earned baccalaureate, and at least two leading indicators, such as fall-to-fall persistence and credit completion rate. They are also required to show they have reduced equity gaps in at least two metrics for at least two student groups. These requirements recognize and motivate sustained and proactive reform efforts that result in greater improvements in student success and equity.
Fifteen community colleges from the ATD Network have been honored with Leader College status for demonstrating steady improvement in their student success outcomes.
The cohort of ten new Leader Colleges are:
- Bellevue College (Washington)
- Berkshire Community College (Massachusetts)
- Central Ohio Technical College (Ohio)
- Coalinga College (California)
- Columbia-Greene Community College (New York)
- Illinois Central College (Illinois)
- Mohawk Valley Community College (New York)
- Pellissippi State Community College (Tennessee)
- Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (Kentucky)
- Vance-Granville Community College (North Carolina)
Five institutions have recertified their status as Leader Colleges: Community College of Beaver County (Pennsylvania), Highline College (Washington), Lone Star College System (Texas), Passaic County Community College (New Jersey), and Wallace State Community College (Alabama).
“We are proud to recognize our 2025 Leader Colleges and Leader Colleges of Distinction for their extraordinary commitment to student success,” said Dr Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “These colleges exemplify excellence within the ATD Network, achieving measurable gains in student outcomes and fostering impactful change within their institutions and communities. Their dedication to using data-informed approaches to create meaningful opportunities for students and their communities serves as a powerful example for all institutions of higher education and especially for those in the ATD Network.”
Achieving the Dream (ATD) is a partner and champion of more than 300 community colleges across the country.
Drawing on our expert coaches, groundbreaking programs, and national peer network, we provide institutions with integrated, tailored support for every aspect of their work — from foundational capacities such as leadership, data, and equity to intentional strategies for supporting students holistically, building K–12 partnerships, and more. We call this Whole College Transformation. Our vision is for every college to be a catalyst for equitable and economically-vibrant communities. We know that with the right partner and the right approach, colleges can drive access, completion rates, and employment outcomes — so that all students can access life-changing learning that propels them into community-changing careers. Follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn.
