CMC Vice President of Student Affairs Shane Larson selected for the Aspen Institute’s Rising Presidents Fellowship

ASPEN - On May 27, the Aspen Institute announced that CMC Vice President of Student Affairs Shane Larson is one of 40 outstanding leaders from across the country for the 2026-27 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship. Chosen from a competitive pool of more than 125 applicants, these 40 executive and senior community college leaders were chosen for their potential to enact major reforms that deliver much stronger results for students.

Over 15 years, the Aspen Institute's research on high-performing community colleges has consistently shown that high and improving levels of student success are much more likely when an exceptional president is leading the community college. For that reason, the Aspen Institute has been working for a decade to help prepare a new generation of transformational community college leaders through this program. 

Over the coming year, these fellows will: 

• Deeply examine data on available jobs in their community and student outcomes at their colleges 

• Learn about transformational models from 15 years of Aspen Prize research into colleges with high and improving levels of student success through the Aspen Prize process

• Receive coaching and feedback from accomplished college leaders, including sitting and retired presidents who have led transformational reforms 

• Devise a concept for major reform strategy at their institution, receiving critical feedback from peers and experts along the way 

“Our research shows that excellent colleges share a common trait: they are led by presidents who focus on a few transformative initiatives that extend beyond enrollment and even completion numbers, centering instead on whether graduates are prepared for transfer and bachelor’s attainment and success in the workforce or further education,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “I cannot wait to begin working with this impressive set of leaders.”   

"Shane’s selection for the Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is a reflection of his deep commitment to student success and his ability to lead meaningful change that improves outcomes for students," said CMC President Matt Gianneschi. "He is a thoughtful, mission-driven leader who understands both the opportunities and challenges facing rural community colleges, and I’m excited to see him join this national network of higher education leaders.”

Rising Presidents Fellows are chosen based on their commitment to improving student success and advancing economic mobility, their readiness to lead major student-success reforms, and the likelihood that they will assume a college presidency within five years of completing the program. The selected fellows come from 20 states and a wide range of institutions—from small rural colleges to large urban campuses — bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the fellowship. They join a vibrant network of over 500 peers — including over 215 sitting presidents — who are leading colleges that help more students finish college, transfer to four-year institutions and secure good jobs. 

The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is made possible through the generous support of the Burton Family Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, College Futures Foundation, Mellon Foundation and the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research at North Carolina State University.

For bios and photos of all 40 leaders, visit Rising Presidents.