No other college in the nation achieved this. Cerritos College earned double national finalist honors for the 2026 Bellwether Awards, becoming the only institution in the United States recognized in two categories. The achievement cements Cerritos College’s position as a national leader in innovation, equity, and economic mobility.
The Bellwether Awards spotlight the most forward-thinking colleges in the country, those that transform bold ideas into tangible results. Cerritos College advanced in Instructional Programs and Services and Workforce Development for two powerhouse initiatives: the Early College Program, which provides high school students with a debt-free head start, and the General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (GM ASEP), which turns technical training into high-wage careers.
The Early College Program is rewriting what college access looks like. Students can take Cerritos College courses directly on their high school campuses, earning up to two years of transferable credit without paying tuition or purchasing textbooks. Since 2021, enrollment has grown nearly tenfold. Latino participation has climbed to 72 percent, with a 94 percent course success rate and retention rates above 90 percent. Hundreds of first-generation students are graduating from college sooner, saving thousands, and proving that higher education can begin right at home.
The GM ASEP Program fuels California’s workforce. Students split time between campus and paid internships at General Motors dealerships, graduating with industry credentials and real-world experience that translate into jobs on day one. Nearly 80 percent of students graduate on time, and 95 percent secure employment immediately after graduation, often at above-average wages. Every instructor is a GM ASEP alumnus, a living example of success coming full circle.
Together, these programs drive the region’s economy and demonstrate that innovation at Cerritos College truly changes lives. The double recognition builds on prior Bellwether finalist honors in 2024 for student housing and basic needs initiatives, as well as in 2018 for Cerritos Complete and open education resources work. Finalists will present at the 32nd Annual Community College Futures Assembly in San Antonio, Texas, February 22–24, 2026.
“Earning recognition in two categories is more than an award. It’s proof that what we do works,” said Dr. Jose Fierro, president/superintendent of Cerritos College. “Cerritos College doesn’t just prepare students; it propels them. This honor reflects the power of innovation to transform lives and strengthen the communities we serve.”
