Renton Technical College is among 200 higher education institutions nationwide to qualify for a new U.S. Department of Education award program recognizing inclusive excellence.

The Department of Education used publicly available data to measure performance on key indicators related to equitable access, success, and post-college outcomes for students of color and low-income students at public and nonprofit institutions across the country.

RTC has a chance to participate in the next phase of the department’s Postsecondary Success Recognition program selection process. The program is part of the Biden administration’s Raise the Bar initiative, which aims to increase postsecondary completion rates, close completion gaps, and ensure all students earn valuable credentials. The initiative seeks to honor higher education institutions based on how well they prepare graduates for the workforce and fulfilling lives rather than their exclusivity.

RTC hosted the first of four summits across the country as part of the Raise the Bar initiative in July 2023. 

“We believe that educational access and success build a more equitable and just society,” RTC President Yoshiko Harden said. “This initiative aligns with our goals to be the place where all students find their place and to transform the workforce.”

Eight other community and technical colleges from Washington are eligible along with RTC: Bates Technical College, Bellingham Technical College, Columbia Basin College, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, North Seattle College, Pierce College, Walla Walla Community College, and Yakima Valley College.

“Imagine a world where schools with the most Pell Grant recipients are ranked highest in U.S. News and World Report, where ‘prestige’ is defined by preparing graduates well to enter the workforce and lead fulfilling lives and careers—sometimes right in their own communities," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. ”Instead of giving schools high marks for the number of students they turn down, we want to recognize schools doing the most to lift students up.”

Winners will be announced in 2025.