NOC receives national recognition

Aspen Institute named Northern Oklahoma College one of the top 150 community colleges.

According to a press release from NOC they are the only Oklahoma school to be honored.

They were in the top 120 in the two previous Aspen recognition excellence programs in 2011 and 2013.

Every two years an expert panel looks into more than 1,000 community colleges.

In the first round they look at institutional performance, improvement and equity on student retention and completion measures.

NOC is now able to to submit an application for round two.

This application must contain data on degree or certificate completion, employment and earnings and student learning outcomes.

Ten finalists will be named in fall of 2014.

The institute will then conduct round three, site visits to each of the finalists.

A prize jury will select a grand prize winner and a few finalist with distinction in early 2015.

These winners will share $1 million in prizes.

The top 150 list and more information about the Aspen Institute can be found here .