Health fair UCF men’s focused basketball on Muslim continues Americans, to shine, Page 3 Volume 14, Issue 15 www.ValenciaVoice.com Dec. 14, 2011 Page 27 Valencia is top pick, honored with $600,000 grant High hopes for future after receiving prize, first ever Aspen Award for Community College By James Tutten speaking to the crowd at the ceremony af-
[email protected] ter receiving the award. “Where excellence is not defined by exclusivity or expensive- Valencia College was acknowledged as ness, and where opportunity is genuine.” one of the top educational institutions in Millions of students have shared in the nation after wining the inaugural As- this unique opportunity since the found- pen Award for Community College Excel- ing of Valencia in Orlando, Florida in lence. Along with the award comes a grant 1967. Valencia ranked number one last of $600,000 that Valencia can spend to ex- year for awarding the most Associate Political pand on it’s future goals in education. degrees in the nation’s for two-year in- Valencia was given this honor because stitutions. There is a current annual en- of striving to improve what really matters rollment of over 70,000 students and an Section in a community college. Valencia’s degree operating annual budget well over $160 awards rates are one of the best nation- million dollars. GOP runs the gauntlet on ally for a community college. Graduates Global educational trends show that get employed at a higher rate then any the U.S has falling to twelfth place for the road to the White House other Aspen finalist and the school boasts young adults with Associate degrees, and the highest number of four year college nationally there is an increase of students Valencia President Sandy Shugart accepting the Aspen Award for Community College Excellence.