NEW TOWN — Dr. Twyla Baker, president of Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College in New Town, is one of 23 community college presidents selected to participate in the third cohort of the Aspen Presidents Fellowship, a unique year-long professional development experience supported by JPMorganChase.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) announced her selection Wednesday, March 25.

During the program, presidents will develop a reform agenda that helps more of their students graduate into good jobs, either directly after community college or following transfer and bachelor degree attainment.

“We know from 15 years of intensive research how the best community colleges equip students with the skills and credentials that lead to good jobs and flourishing lives,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program.

Through the year-long program, fellows will work with highly accomplished community college presidents. Aspen leaders, and each other to analyze local labor markets, their colleges’ outcomes, national models of excellence, and lessons from highly successful presidents. The reform agendas they draft are then pressure-tested during multi-day residential sessions, multiple webinars, and feedback from peers and experts.

This third cohort of Aspen Presidents Fellows represents community college leaders serving students and communities across the country. The fellows lead institutions in 14 states, spanning rural communities, suburban regions and urban centers. They represent colleges with a wide range of missions–from comprehensive and technical institutions to tribal-serving colleges. They join a growing network of 433 fellowship alumni, including 202 community college presidents, committed to strengthening student success and economic mobility in their communities. Aspen supports this network of community college reform leaders through targeted professional development, research briefings and convenings at national conferences.

“I am thrilled and honored to be selected to participate” said Baker. “I look forward to the opportunity to learn within a community of practice and build a network of support amongst likeminded people. I am so thankful to Aspen for the chance part.”

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (NHSC) is a tribally chartered institution founded in 1973 to serve the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation.

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.