March 4, 2026
Tallahassee State College has been recertified as an Achieving the Dream (ATD) Leader College of Distinction, a national recognition awarded to community colleges that demonstrate sustained excellence in advancing student success and closing equity gaps.
ATD is a national nonprofit organization that partners with more than 300 community colleges nationwide to help institutions improve student outcomes and strengthen their capacity to support learners from enrollment through completion and career success.
Leader Colleges of Distinction represent the highest level of recognition within the ATD Network. Colleges earning the designation demonstrate strong and sustained progress in improving key student success outcomes, including retention and completion, while building a culture of data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
“Tallahassee State College is deeply committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed,” said Dr. Jim Murdaugh, President of Tallahassee State College. “Being recertified as a Leader College of Distinction reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff and our continued focus on implementing strategies that help students achieve their academic and career goals.”
Tallahassee State College has been a member of the ATD network since 
and has long been recognized as a national leader in student success. The College was named an ATD Leader College in 2009 and first earned the Leader College of Distinction designation in 2022, becoming the first college in Florida to receive the honor. In that same year, ATD awarded Tallahassee State College the prestigious Leah Meyer Austin Award, one of the organization’s highest honors, recognizing institutions that demonstrate outstanding and sustained improvements in student outcomes.
“The 2026 Leader Colleges and 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.”