Renton Technical College was named as one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

The position gives the school the chance to compete for $1 million in prize funds. The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program highlights the critical importance of improving student success in America’s community colleges, an RTC release stated.

The prize is awarded every two years and it is the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance. It recognizes institutions for exceptional student outcomes in student learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings, and high levels of access and success for minority and low-income students.

“The selection of Renton Technical College by the Aspen Institute shines a spotlight on the exceptional work that RTC’s faculty and staff are doing to support student success,” said Steve Hanson, president at Renton Technical College. “One of the goals of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program is to highlight exemplary work being done in community and technical colleges across the nation. Our selection provides recognition that Renton Technical College is a national leader in implementing best practices to improve student outcomes while training students for family-wage jobs in a competitive, global economy.”

A full list of the 150 community colleges is available at www.AspenPrize.org. Prize winners will be announced in early 2015.