Broward College Ranks Sixth Nationally in Conferring Associate Degrees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rankings show success in conferring degrees for high-demand fields and a commitment
to serving minority populations in South Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (September 29, 2016) – Broward College was recently recognized as a top college in the nation for the high number of associate degrees it awards in an academic year. During the 2014-15 academic year, Broward College conferred 5,873 associate degrees, ranking the college sixth in the nation, according to the Top 100 Associate Degree Producers for 2016 report, which is issued by Community College Week.

Broward College also continued its track record of providing outstanding education in high-demand fields, holding its third-place position on the list of Top 50 Associate Degrees - Liberal Arts & Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities. For the first time, the College ranked among the top community colleges for the Top 50 Associate Degrees - Computer & Information Sciences, and Support Services, securing the 37th spot.
The College also was recognized for its success in identifying opportunities to promote one-year certificates which directly addresses critical local and statewide economic needs for current and emerging industries. Broward College rose from ninth to second place, conferring 4,365 one-year certificates.

“These outstanding rankings come on the heels of our recognition as an Aspen Institute ‘Top Ten’ finalist, and further confirm that our commitment to increasing student success has yielded results. Our students are achieving their educational dreams,” said Broward College President J. David Armstrong, Jr. “We are extremely grateful to our faculty who work hard to guide our students, and we are honored to be recognized among the top colleges in the nation for another year.”

Broward College also was recognized for its dedication to serving as an accessible higher education option for students from all backgrounds, ranking fourth in the nation for associate degrees conferred to all minorities. More granularly, the College ranked second in the nation for associate degrees conferred to African American students, and seventh in the nation for associate degrees conferred to Hispanic students.
Recently, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named Broward College as one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million dollars in prize funds. The Aspen Institute previously named Broward College one of the Top 10 Community College in the nation in 2012.
 
Earlier this year, Diverse Issues in Higher Education released a report ranking the college third among public, for-profit and non-profit institutions nationwide, according to a special report in Diverse Issues in Higher Education.

Community College Week is a biweekly national publication specializing in issues related to community colleges for college presidents, chief academic officers, faculty, student-service professionals, librarians and other educators. It includes news and features not provided by other news sources, including analyses of critical academic trends and issues, vital statistics, technology updates and employment opportunities. Every year, they release a report listing the number of degrees and certificates awarded by two- and four-year colleges.

For additional information about Broward College’s Community College Week rankings, visit http://ccweek.com/articles.sec-17-1-top-100-charts.html. For more information, contact Lesli Cartaya Franco at 954-201-7556 or lfranco@broward.edu.