Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national organization dedicated to advancing community colleges as accessible hubs for learning, credentialing, and economic mobility, has recognized Chattanooga State and Southwestern Oregon community colleges with its highest honor, the Leah Meyer Austin Award, for their dedication to student success, institutional transformation, and equity through impactful changes in student outcomes.
The announcement was made Tuesday at ATD’s annual DREAM conference in Philadelphia, attended by over 2,000 community college leaders, faculty, and higher education professionals.
ATD partners with more than 300 community colleges nationwide, offering tailored guidance and resources to improve teaching, advising, and support services, ensuring every student can access education that leads to a meaningful career. Established in 2008, the Leah Meyer Austin Award honors institutions that excel in fostering student success through data-driven decisions, continuous improvement, institutional change, stakeholder engagement, and equity.
Chattanooga State Community College, an ATD Network member since 2016, has progressively enhanced its student support strategies, including a shift from 15-week to seven-week terms, a more personalized advising model, and expanded access to affordable learning resources. With additional reforms in gateway courses, including co-requisite support and embedded tutoring, these changes have led to significant increases in student retention and credit completion.
“We are deeply honored to receive the Leah Meyer Austin Award from Achieving the Dream,” said Rebecca Ashford, EdD, president of Chattanooga State Community College. “This recognition is a testament to the bold, innovative work our faculty and staff have done to remove barriers and create real opportunities for students to thrive.”
Southwestern Oregon Community College, an ATD participant since 2012, has prioritized support for adult and part-time learners, tailoring its advising, orientation, and online services to meet the needs of these students. Along with basic needs assistance programs, co-requisite coursework, and mandatory advising, among others, these adjustments have led to notable gains in completion rates.
“This recognition reflects an unwavering commitment to student success by every single employee of our college,” said president of Southwestern Oregon Community College, Patricia Scott, EdD. “We know our students. We know they have diverse needs and complex lives. We have proven that by putting students first and adapting our programs and services to their individual needs, they will succeed.”
Chattanooga State and Southwestern Oregon community colleges are the 23rd and 24th recipients of the Leah Meyer Austin Award.
