Gonzales, LA — River Parishes Community College (RPCC) is proud to announce its selection by the U.S. Department of Education as one of 200 colleges recognized for exceptional efforts in promoting degree completion. This recognition places RPCC among an elite group of 100 two-year colleges and 100 four-year universities eligible to compete for the Postsecondary Success Recognition Program.
The program aims to celebrate institutions that serve as engines of economic mobility, helping students obtain affordable credentials that prepare them for successful participation in the workforce, their communities, and our democracy. The Department evaluates candidates based on their commitment to providing access to affordable education, particularly for underserved populations, and their success in guiding students toward meaningful career pathways.
“We are honored to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for our commitment to enhancing degree completion and promoting economic mobility,” said RPCC Chancellor Quintin D. Taylor. “This acknowledgment reflects the hard work of our faculty, staff, students, and industry partners, and underscores our dedication to providing accessible and valuable education to all students. Together, we are shaping the future of our community and empowering our students to achieve their dreams.”
Notably, RPCC is the only two-year college in Louisiana selected for this opportunity, and one of only two institutions from the state recognized across both categories. This prestigious acknowledgment underscores RPCC’s dedication to fostering educational equity and supporting the diverse needs of the student population.
RPCCs recognition by the U.S. Department of Education comes as a result of dedicated, campuswide initiatives that have driven significant improvements in student outcomes, particularly among underserved populations. The college’s commitment to student success is evident in initiatives like the Westbank Workforce Training Center, which offers evening welding and high school equivalency classes for the Donaldsonville community, and the Donaldsonville Early College Technical Academy, providing Donaldsonville High students dual enrollment in fields such as Process Technology and Welding.
Additionally, RPCC’s overall cohort completion rates have increased 21 percentage points since 2019. Programs like these exemplify RPCC’s efforts to provide meaningful workforce pathways and career readiness for students, furthering its mission to strengthen the economic mobility of the river parishes region.
Institutions meeting the initial eligibility requirements have been invited to apply for the Postsecondary Success Recognition Program. The application process will gather additional information to better understand how these institutions are using data and evidence-based practices as part of an intentional, campus-wide strategy to ensure all students are earning credentials of value, including underrepresented students. The Department will select a panel of expert peer reviewers to score applications and conduct thorough vetting of finalist institutions, with winners being announced in early 2025.
For additional information on the Postsecondary Success Recognition Program, please visit [https://blog.ed.gov/2024/10/raising-the-bar-on-college-excellence-and-equity-update-on-thepostsecondary-success-recognition-program/].
For more information about RPCC, please visit www.rpcc.edu.