Washington, D.C., May 15, 2018 – Texas’ Odessa College was named today as one of 10 finalists for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance in America’s community colleges. Awarded every two years since 2011, the Prize recognizes institutions that achieve high and improving student outcomes, selected from over 1,000 community colleges nationwide.
Dr. Gregory D. Williams appointment to ATD board:
ODESSA (Mar. 7, 2018) – Achieving the Dream announced the appointment of Odessa College President Gregory D. Williams to the Achieving the Dream board of directors. Achieving the Dream is a national organization that is leading the largest reform effort in the country in student success, working with a network of more than 220 colleges across the country.
United Way Dick and Amelia Saulsbury Award for Sustained Excellence:
ODESSA (Feb. 27, 2018) – At the 2018 United Way Annual Meeting and Celebration, Odessa College was presented with the Dick and Amelia Saulsbury Sustained Excellence Award for the College’s employees continuous support of the United Way.
Dr. Gregory D. Williams TEDx :
ODESSA (Feb. 24, 2018) – Odessa College President Gregory D. Williams was selected to be one of the inaugural, featured speakers for Odessa’s new TEDxOptimist Park – a TEDx talk organized by the Community of Odessa. TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." The TEDx Program is designed to help communities, organizations and individuals spark conversation and connection through local TED-like experiences.
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2018 Leah Meyer Austin Award:
ODESSA (Feb. 21, 2018) – Odessa College was one of two colleges to receive the 2018 Leah Meyer Austin Award, the highest honor awarded by community college reform leader Achieving the Dream (ATD). The award recognizes institutions that have demonstrated outstanding progress in designing a student-focused culture and aligning institutional strategies to promote student success. This year’s award is accompanied by a $25,000 prize for each college.
THECB Recognition of Excellence:
ODESSA (Feb. 14, 2018) – Odessa College was recognized for excellence by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at its meeting in Austin before an audience of chancellors and presidents, chief academic officers, chief instructional officers, and other higher education leaders.
Click HERE to read more.
THECB Star Award:
ODESSA (Dec. 1, 2017) – At the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board meeting in Austin, the board named Odessa College as one of four winners of the 2017 Star Award for exceptional contributions toward meeting one or more of the goals of the Texas higher education plan, 60x30TX. The Star Award is one of the most prestigious awards given to institutions of higher education, for which both colleges and universities in the state of Texas compete.
Aspen Institute Rising Star Award:
ODESSA (Mar.14, 2017). – One of only two colleges out of 10 finalists for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Odessa College was recognized during the Aspen Institute Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. with a Rising Star Award for improving student completion. The award also was accompanied by a $100,000 prize.
ODESSA (September 13, 2016) – Odessa College was named as one of just 10 national finalists for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, an award which is recognized among American institutions of higher education as the most prestigious and elevated affirmation of high achievement and exemplary performance that a community college can receive.
Click the links below to view documents supporting the vision and mission of Odessa College and find out what makes us one of the best Community Colleges in the nation.
