Central Ohio Technical College named Leader College by Achieving the Dream

Central Ohio Technical College has been recognized as a Leader College by Achieving the Dream, a national nonprofit organization that focuses on helping community colleges become hubs of accessible learning that will enhance their communities through advancement and economic mobility. The college has been part of the Achieving the Dream Network since 2021. It became a Leader College for the first time on February 20, 2025, and will hold the title for three years.

According to an article on Central Ohio Technical College’s website, John M. Berry, PhD., the college’s president, was quoted as saying of the honor, “As with any award or special recognition, this Leader College distinction reflects the hard work of our faculty and staff to improve student success and reduce equity gaps on our campus. COTC continues to shed light on Ohio as a place to receive a quality education and prepare for a career.”

The requirements to be designated as a Leader College include demonstrating a 3% or more increase in at least two student success categories and a narrowing achievement gap between different student demographics. Central Ohio Technical College exceeded these goals.

The school demonstrated a 6% increase in credit completion in the time period of Fall 2020 to Fall 2023, doubling the necessary 3% increase to be seen as a Leader College. In achieving this goal, the school credits its new Student Success Center, its focus on math and English course success, and its focus on providing quality learning experiences for students.

Central Ohio Technical College was also able to improve its persistence rate from Fall 2019 to Fall 2022 by 3% and increased completion of first-level English courses by first-generation students and improved retention rates of students older than 25.

Fifteen colleges around the country earned the Leader College distinction, with 10 of them, including Central Ohio Technical College, achieving the recognition for the first time.

In a press release from Achieving the Dream, Dr. Karen A. Stout, the organization’s president and CEO, was quoted as saying of the colleges that have achieved recognition, “We are proud to recognize our 2025 Leader Colleges and Leader Colleges of Distinction for their extraordinary commitment to student success. These colleges exemplify excellence within the ATD Network, achieving measurable gains in student outcomes and fostering impactful change within their institutions and communities. Their dedication to using data-informed approaches to create meaningful opportunities for students and their communities serves as a powerful example for all institutions of higher education and especially for those in the ATD Network.”

For more information about Central Ohio Technical College, visit the school’s website.