Delaware Tech earns national recognition for promoting student success
Delaware Technical Community College has once again been designated a Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream, a national reform-driven network of community colleges committed to advancing those institutions as accessible hubs of learning, economic mobility and workforce preparation.
“We are very proud to be recognized for the second time as a Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream,” said Mark T. Brainard, president of Delaware Tech. “Since joining the ATD network in 2018, we have worked harder than ever to help more students reach their academic and career goals, and we appreciate this national recognition of our ongoing commitment to student success.”
Delaware Tech was recognized as an ATD Leader College in 2022 and as a Leader College of Distinction in 2024. As part of the ATD network, Delaware Tech has taken numerous steps to promote student success. Among them is a redesign of the college’s remedial education program to prevent students from taking many as three developmental math or reading classes before being able to start college-level courses in their major. The college also established a robust professional development program for all employees that provides expert training, peer-to-peer workshops, professional learning communities and more. In addition, Delaware Tech has worked with ATD coaches to establish an action plan to strengthen student support services such as food pantries, a laptop-lending program, mental health counseling and an emergency fund for students experiencing financial hardship.
ATD created the Leader College of Distinction designation in 2018 to recognize institutions that have demonstrated sustained excellence in advancing student success outcomes over time. Leader Colleges of Distinction must demonstrate sustained and expanding success in early momentum metrics, such as course success rates and student retention, as well as in milestone momentum outcomes, such as rates of completion; a strong culture of data-informed, continuous improvement; and evidence that effective practices are institutionalized. These colleges advance student success strategies that respond to their local context with emphasis on students who are missing or left behind.
“The 2026 Leader Colleges of Distinction demonstrate sustained commitment and measurable progress in advancing student success,” said Dr. Karen A. Stout, president and CEO of Achieving the Dream. “By using data to guide decisions and continuously strengthen their practices, these institutions are producing real gains in student outcomes, strengthening their practices and deepening their impact in the communities they serve. Their leadership sets a powerful example for colleges across the ATD Network, reflecting the focus, discipline and follow-through required to achieve lasting institutional change.”
