About
A hallmark of the ATD experience is to recognize exemplar institutions that have identified and implemented strategies that have been proven to be successful over time. We do this through the designation of Leader College status that indicates that every person who is affiliated with the institution is committed to ensuring student success for all of its students.
Eligibility
Colleges eligible to apply for the award are Leader Colleges or Leader Colleges of Distinction in good standing, participants in the ATD Network for at least three years, and have not won the Leah Meyer Austin Award in the last five years. In addition, eligible colleges have met one or more of the following data criteria by showing:
- Four-year improvement in the IPEDS three-year graduation rate of at least three percentage points (first-time full-time students)
- Four-year improvement in the IPEDS Fall to Fall retention rate of at least three percentage points (First-time full-time students)
- Four-year improvement in the IPEDS Fall to Fall retention rate of at least three percentage points (First-time part-time students)
- Selection as one of the top 150 colleges in the competition for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence
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