Events & Information

The Aspen Institute Names Alpena Community College as a Top 200 U.S. Community College Eligible for the 2027 Aspen Prize

$1 Million Prize Honors Colleges Achieving Strong Student Results, Both in College and After Graduation

CONTACT: Kristin O’Keefe, 240.351.8531, kristin.okeefe@aspeninstitute.org;
Jay Walterreit, ACC Director of Public Information & Marketing, 989.358.7215, walterrj@alpenacc.edu.

WASHINGTON D.C., October 28, 2025 – Today, the Aspen Institute named Alpena Community College as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The 200 colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.

“We’re delighted to receive this special recognition as a 2027 Aspen Prize: Top 200 institution,” said ACC President Dr. Don MacMaster. “The Aspen Prize is widely recognized as the premier community college award nationally. It represents a milestone institutional accomplishment that’s the result of faculty, staff, and K-12 partners working together with a shared focus on the multitude of factors leading to student success. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to ACC receiving this award. Your effort makes a difference.”

John Briggs, chair of the ACC Board of Trustees, said of the Aspen Institute designation at a Top 200 Community College: “This designation from the Aspen Institute reaffirms what has been reported to us from independent sources, that ACC faculty and staff do an excellent job of preparing graduates for the world of work and transfer programs.”

Together, these 200 colleges represent the breadth and diversity of the community college sector. They are located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the country and serve anywhere from a few hundred students to tens of thousands. Some of these colleges focus primarily on workforce programs, while others focus on transfer and bachelor’s attainment or a combination of the two.

“The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students—completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.”

Community colleges educate nearly six million students. Yet community college student outcomes fall short in both the rate at which students graduate and the percentage of students who achieve success after graduation. The Aspen Prize process identifies and celebrates community colleges that demonstrate that achieving stronger outcomes is possible, providing a roadmap of effective practices and strategies for other colleges to follow.

The 200 eligible colleges have been invited to submit an application and participate in a rigorous review process that will culminate in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027. Over the coming 20 months, the colleges that apply for the Aspen Prize will be assessed based on (1) student outcomes data, ranging from student transfer and completion rates to employment and wages after graduation, and (2) whether they have engaged in scaled practices that led to high and improving student outcomes.

“Among these 200 colleges are some really special places that deliver strong and improving outcomes for students across the board,” Wyner said. “Our job over the coming 20 months is to gather a lot more data and work with a deep bench of field experts to assess which of these 200 stand out so we can not only honor them with a monetary award, but drive attention to the most effective field practices that other colleges can replicate.”

This is the first time since the inception of the Aspen Prize that 200 colleges are eligible to apply, growing from 150. This year, in addition to publicly available federal data, over 600 colleges authorized the use of National Student Clearinghouse data on their institution’s degree completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates for full- and part-time students.

The full list can be accessed on the Aspen Prize homepage.

• The next steps in the process include:
  
  November 13/December 9, 2025: Application deadlines for the 2027 Prize
• April 2026: Announcement of 25 semifinalists, selected based on assessments of extensive data and the application by a group of 11 experts in community colleges, higher education, and workforce
• June 2026: Announcement of 10 finalists, selected by the same group of experts
• Fall 2026: Collection of additional data from the 10 finalists, including employment and earnings data for graduates from 2020 and 2025, as well as qualitative assessments of practices by field experts during multi-day site visits to each of the 10 finalists
• February 2027: The Aspen Prize winner selected by a distinguished, independent jury
• Spring 2027: Announcement of the Aspen Prize winner and celebration of the 10 finalists at an event in Washington, D.C.

To read more about the selection process, visit the Aspen Prize webpage.

The Aspen Prize is generously funded by Ascendium Education Philanthropy and the Joyce Foundation.

Previous winners are:

• 2025: Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (WI)
• 2023: Amarillo College (TX) and Imperial Valley College (CA)
• 2021: San Antonio College (TX)
• 2019: Indian River State College (FL) and Miami Dade College (FL)
• 2017: Lake Area Technical Institute (SD)
• 2015: Santa Fe College (FL)
• 2013: Santa Barbara City College (CA) & Walla Walla Community College (WA)
• 2011: Valencia College (FL)

Note: Colleges that have won the Aspen Prize are not eligible to apply in subsequent years.

Alpena Community College, with campuses in Alpena and Oscoda, Michigan, offers two-year degrees, one-year certificates, a 4-year bachelor’s degree, customized training, and community education to all of Northeast Michigan. Each semester ACC attracts approximately 1,500 students of diverse ages, backgrounds, and academic goals; small class sizes, affordable tuition, and the convenience of two campus locations along with online course offerings make ACC a great choice for all types of learners. Vocational/technical programs, distance learning programs, dual enrollment and early college programs, and cooperative 4-year university programs help students achieve their academic goals and gain employment in their chosen career fields.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice to improve student outcomes—with the ultimate goal of advancing economic mobility and developing talent for the good of each individual and society as a whole. For more information, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and X.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

ACC Volleyball Team to Host First Annual Pink Game
Date Published: October 15, 2025

The Women’s Volleyball team at Alpena Community College will host its first annual Pink Game on Monday, October 20, at 6:30 p.m. as they take on Delta College at home in Park Arena. The event will raise funds and awareness for Friends Together, supporting local cancer patients and their families.

In addition to the Pink Game, ACC will also be hosting Sophomore Night to honor its sophomores for their dedication and contributions to the program. Fans are encouraged to wear pink and show their support for both a great cause and the Lumberjacks’ graduating players.

Fans will have the opportunity to contribute to Friends Together through a bake sale and other opportunities to donate.

Monday’s home game will be the last home game of the season for the Lumberjacks, who look to wrap up their season with a series of away games throughout the last few weeks of October. Additional information about the ACC Volleyball team, including rosters and schedules, can be found online at acclumberjacks.com.

Lumberjack Launchpad 2025
Date: August 12, 2025

Lumberjack Launchpad is your fast pass to college life at ACC. Over a few fun, jam-packed days, you'll make friends, explore campus, and get the inside scoop on everything you need to crush your first semester. From games and free food to real talk on money, safety, and student life - this is where your college journey really begins. Don't miss it!

ACC to Host 2025 Lumberjack Legends Athletics Hall of Fame
Date: August 12, 2025

The Office of Alumni Relations at Alpena Community College is pleased to announce the second class of honorees for the school’s Lumberjack Legends Athletics Hall of Fame. Five alumni athletes, two teams, an announcer, and two coaches will be honored as Lumberjack Legends on Saturday, September 13 inside ACC’s Park Arena and Granum Theatre.

This year’s Lumberjack Legends are:

• Frank McCourt, Athletic Director & Coach
• Bobby Allen, Men’s Basketball Player & Coach
• Karina Cole, Women’s Basketball
• Lisa Dahm Moore, Softball
• Nathan Tuori, Men’s Basketball
• Ralph Diethelm, Voice of the Lumberjacks
• Keith Jackson, Men’s Basketball
• 1979-1981 Women’s Basketball Teams

This year’s Hall of Fame celebration includes athletes and coaches whose dedication, talent, and leadership helped define the proud tradition of Lumberjack athletics. From championship teams to record-setting performances, the 2025 class embodies the spirit, excellence, and pride of ACC. Their achievements will now stand permanently among the greatest stories in the college’s history. One of the highlights will be the induction of the 1979–1981 Women’s Basketball Teams, a dominant force that captured two Eastern Conference championships and earned a regional runner-up finish, leaving an enduring legacy for women’s sports at ACC.

Tickets to the Lumberjack Legends Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony and dinner are limited and only available in advance. The cost is $40 per person, $20 for kids 12 and under. They can be purchased online by:

• Mailing a check to 665 Johnson Street in Alpena
• Calling the ACC Foundation at 989.358.7359
• Or through our online ticket purchasing option

Alpena Community College Foundation Welcomes Mary Eagan as New Executive Director - February 11, 2025
ACC Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications - January 7, 2025
ACC Foundation Hosts Lunch with the President Event - December 13, 2024
Workforce Development Monthly Newsletter - December 6, 2024
AAACU Donates to ACC Foundation - December 4, 2024
ACC Introduces Addition of Men's and Women's Soccer - October 25, 2024
Education Shadowing Week - Oscoda Campus - October 21, 2024
Take a look at our Life After High School Video Series October Session with Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union!
Fall 2024 Learning Technology Training Sessions - October 17, 2024
Student Services Newsletter - October 17, 2024
Farming The Sun in Northeast Lower Michigan: A Proposal For a 6-Acre Solar Array - October 16, 2024
ACC Student Food Pantry Receives Donation from First Presbyterian Church of Alpena - October 15, 2024

ACC Introduces Lumberjack Legends Athletics Hall of Fame

The Office of Alumni Relations at Alpena Community College is pleased to announce the inaugural class of honorees for the school’s new Lumberjack Legends Athletics Hall of Fame. Five alumni athletes, a team, and a legendary coach will be honored as Lumberjack Legends on Saturday, September 7 inside ACC’s Besser Technical Center.

This year’s Lumberjack Legends are:

• James Dutcher, Athletic Director & Coach, 1958-1966
• John Stosick, Swimming, NJCAA champion (200-meter backstroke), NJCAA runner-up (100-meter backstroke), 1968
• Alonzo Weatherly, Men’s Basketball, NJCAA honorable mention All-American, 1979
• Diana Flakes, Women’s Basketball, NJCAA 2nd team All-American, 1981
• Jimmie Holliday, Men’s Basketball, NJCAA honorable mention All-American, 1987
• Josh Walker, Men’s Basketball, NJCAA 3rd team All-American, 2003
• 1966 Men’s Basketball Team, Region 12 Champions

The 2024 class includes four ACC athletes who achieved All-American status, a national champion in swimming, plus ACC’s most successful basketball team, which played in the 1966 national junior college championship tournament. That team was Coach Jim Dutcher’s last at ACC before he departed for head coaching duties at Eastern Michigan University. He went on to be an assistant coach at the University of Michigan before taking the helm at the University of Minnesota as their men’s head basketball coach.

ACC Aligns Spring Break with Area Schools
Date: July 15, 2024

ACC and school districts in the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District now have the same spring break dates for the upcoming year! This scheduling coordination will enable high school students from Alpena, Alcona, Hillman, and Atlanta to attend ACC courses with minimal disruption while still being able to get away for spring break or participate in high school activities like athletics.

ACC Spring Break 2025: March 17-21, 2025!

ACC would like to thank everyone who was involved in the discussions and planning for aligning our academic calendars, including ACC faculty, our academic partners in the local schools, and the AMA-ESD. We believe this change will make participation in dual enrollment and early college opportunities at ACC even better for local high school students.

ACC President Receives Phi Theta Kappa Award
Posted: February 7, 2024
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) will recognize Donald MacMaster, President, Alpena Community College (MI), along with 18 other college administrators with the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction during PTK Catalyst 2024, the Society’s annual convention in Orlando, Fl, April 4-6, 2024. To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs must have served in their role for at least five years. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once over the course of their career.

ACC History

• Founded in 1952, Alpena Community College brought higher education to Northeast Michigan by offering college classes at Alpena High School as part of the K-14 school district.
• The first class of 23 students graduated in June 1954.
• The current Alpena campus was established in 1957, when 23 acres of land were granted to ACC by philanthropist Jesse H. Besser, founder of Besser Company.
• In the 70 years since the college was created, the Alpena campus has grown to include eight buildings scattered across 400 acres of land along the Thunder Bay River, plus a second campus in Oscoda.

About ACC

Alpena Community College provides affordable higher education in Northeast Michigan to students with diverse backgrounds and academic goals. Each semester, ACC educates over 2000 students spread between campuses in Alpena and Oscoda, along with students taking advantage of the college’s distance learning offerings. In addition to providing two-year degrees and one-year certificates in over 75 programs of study, ACC offers a bachelor’s degree program in electrical systems technology, customized workforce training, continuing education courses, dual-enrollment studies for area high school students, cooperative on-campus four-year degree programs, and community education.