Isothermal Community College (ICC) was named the 17th best community college in the United States in this year’s Washington Monthly rankings.

The rankings are based on Isothermal’s performance in the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) and U.S. Department of Education measures of student retention and completion.

“The Washington Monthly ranking underscores the fact that Isothermal Community College offers excellent value and exceptional learning opportunities for the people of Rutherford and Polk counties,” said ICC President Walter Dalton.

The rankings measure community college performance in eight areas: active and collaborative learning; student effort; academic challenge; student-faculty interaction; support for learning; first-year retention rate; three-year graduation/retention rate; and credentials awarded per 100 FTE students.

Washington Monthly has published its rankings since 2005.

The ranking list for national universities in the “Best Bang for the Buck” category included the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill at third and North Carolina State University at fourth, with East Carolina University closely following at 11th.

“We are thrilled at being included in such fine company,” said Dr. Kimberly Gold, ICC’s vice-president of Academic and Student Services and Institutional Assessment. “The credit goes to our fine employees who are dedicated to improving life through learning and our wonderful students who recognize that commitment and dedicate themselves to success.

Dalton said the college looks forward to finding new ways to serve the community with affordable educational opportunities.
“This ranking shows Isothermal is truly a place that provides a foundation for success,” Dalton said.

A complete list of the 2013 Washington Monthly Community College Rakings can be found at www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings_2013/community_rank.php.

 

– article submitted by Michael Gavin