VC is one of 55 colleges joining the Unlocking Opportunity Network
Victoria College has been selected to join the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program’s Unlocking Opportunity Network, a national initiative designed to help community colleges strengthen student outcomes and ensure degrees lead to meaningful, good-paying jobs.
VC is one of 55 colleges added to the network, alongside 10 pilot institutions already engaged in this work. Together, these colleges are aligning academic programs and student advising with real-world opportunities, focusing on two core goals:
- Helping students graduate with a credential that leads directly to a strong career, or
- Supporting successful transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree.
Over the next three years, Victoria College will collaborate with the Aspen Institute to assess current programs, set measurable goals, and implement research-based strategies that boost student success.
“It is an honor to be selected to participate in the Aspen Institute’s Unlocking Opportunity Network,” said VC President Dr. Jennifer Kent. “The work will only strengthen our ability at VC to increase student success and get more students into good careers with high wages.”
The initiative includes a series of virtual and in-person sessions where leaders from participating colleges share insights from successful reforms. Colleges in the network are committed to increasing enrollment and completion in high-value workforce and transfer programs, while reducing pathways with limited opportunity.
Through this work, Victoria College aims to expand high-impact programs, enhance student advising and help students achieve their educational and career goals — outcomes that will make a lasting difference for students, families and the community.