MHCC EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION WITH 2026 HEED AWARD

The 2026 HEED Award recognizes colleges and universities for institutional efforts supporting student success, academic excellence and a welcoming campus environment.

By Morgan McCarraher

The Advocate

Mt. Hood Community College has been named a recipient of the 2026 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction, or HEED, Award, a national recognition honoring colleges and universities for their commitment to student success, academic excellence and creating a welcoming campus environment. The award, presented by INSIGHT Into Academia magazine, recognizes higher education institutions across the United States for their efforts to support students, faculty and staff through institutional policies, programs and initiatives.

MHCC was one of only nine community colleges nationwide selected to receive the 2026 award, placing the college among a relatively small group of two-year institutions recognized this year for their ongoing commitment to improving the educational experience and expanding opportunities for members of their campus communities. Unlike awards that focus primarily on academic rankings or individual achievements, the HEED Award examines broader institutional practices, including student recruitment and retention, graduation, faculty and staff hiring practices, and programs intended to support student success. 

“MHCC was one of only nine community colleges nationwide selected to receive the 2026 award.”

Institutions are evaluated on their efforts to create environments where students from different backgrounds have opportunities to participate, succeed and complete their educational goals. For community colleges, these considerations can be particularly

significant. Unlike many four-year universities, community colleges serve a wide range of students, including recent high school graduates, working adults, students returning to education and individuals pursuing career or technical training.

Community colleges also frequently serve as an entry point into higher education for students who may face financial, academic or personal barriers to attending college. The HEED Award recognizes institutional efforts to address these challenges through programs, services and policies designed to support students throughout their educational experience.

MHCC’s recognition places it alongside institutions from across the country that have demonstrated exemplary commitment to student achievement and campus belonging. Among the other community colleges recognized in 2026 was Clark College in Vancouver, Washington, another institution serving students in the greater Portland metropolitan area.

The recognition also highlights the role community colleges play within the broader higher education system. While universities often receive national attention for research, athletics and academic rankings, community colleges provide educational opportunities and workforce training to millions of students across the country.

For MHCC, the award represents recognition at a national level of the college’s institutional efforts to support its campus community. However, receiving the award does not necessarily establish how effective individual programs have been or how students experience them. Those questions require examining specific initiatives, student outcomes and the experiences of those attending the college.

The 2026 HEED Award nevertheless places MHCC among a select group of community colleges recognized for their work in student success and campus belonging, bringing national attention to the Gresham institution and its role in higher education.