Dr. Fierro Selected for Inaugural Cohort of Aspen Institute’s New Presidents Fellowship for Community College Excellence

President Fierro has been selected by the Aspen Institute to join the 2020-21 inaugural class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship, an initiative designed to support community college presidents to accelerate transformational change on behalf of students.

Dr. Fierro is one of 25 Aspen Fellows selected from more than 100 applicants for this opportunity, which is fully funded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and run by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. These Community College leaders, will engage in a seven-month fellowship beginning in June 2020.

“I’m excited and humbled to be selected to be part of the inaugural class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship. The Aspen Institute is by far one of the most innovative organizations leading the development of some of higher education’s greatest minds in scholarship and student success strategies. Having the opportunity to participate as a new Fellow will be an incredible experience to learn more ways to address the complex barriers to student success facing our students at Cerritos College. I’m happy to be part of an amazing class of professionals and thought leaders,” said Dr. Fierro.

The fellows, were selected for their commitment to student success and equity, willingness to take risks to improve outcomes, understanding of the importance of community partnerships, and ability to lead change.

“We know more than ever before about how community colleges can improve outcomes for students, both in and after college,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “And the urgency for them to do so only increases—especially for students of color and low-income students. These fellows have shown they are fully, urgently committed to excellence and equity, and we look forward to working alongside them.”

According to the American Council on Education, only 36 percent of community college presidents are female, and 20 percent are people of color. The incoming class of Aspen fellows is 48 percent female, and 40 percent are people of color. Their institutions span 15 states and vary widely, from a rural college with fewer than 2,000 students to a statewide system that educates more than 150,000.

JPMorgan Chase is funding the Aspen Presidential Fellowship as part of New Skills at Work, a five-year, $350 million investment to support community colleges and other pathways to great careers and economic mobility.

For a bio and photo of Dr. Jose Fierro and a list of the 2020-21 class of Aspen Presidential Fellows, visit: https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/meet-the-aspen-presidential-fellows-new-presidents/.