We’re celebrating the future of healthcare! Austin Community College District’s (ACC) latest completion ceremony honored 18 students from Eastside Early College High School (ECHS). 

More than 75 people attended to congratulate the students’ success and perseverance. Susan Roberts-Bradley, Clinical Nurse Resource Manager at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center, served as the keynote speaker.

About the Program

The ceremony was part of the Future Healthcare Heroes grant initiative, a partnership between ACC’s Health Sciences Division, Eastside ECHS, HCA Healthcare—Healthier Tomorrow Fund, and St. David’s HealthCare. 

The initiative aims to identify and nurture rising juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers in healthcare after high school. 

Over a six-month period, the Eastside ECHS Future Healthcare Heroes received:

• Information from over 50 speakers, 
• Obtained a Basic Life Support certification and a Stop the Bleed certification,
• Connected with a designated healthcare professional mentor who provided guidance and support,
• Developed their own Healthcare Career Resource Handbook, 
• Toured ACC’s Health Sciences Departments with faculty interaction,
• Attended a comprehensive Health Career Fair at St. David’s Institute for Learning, 
• Attended a session at ACC’s Welcome Center, 
• Participated in hands-on demonstrations at the ACC Highland Campus Sim Lab,
• Practiced suturing and venipunctures, monitored stats on babies and adults, and learned patient care basics.

As a testament to their dedication, students who completed these activities were eligible for a stipend as part of the grant program.

What the Students Say

-There was always something new. Seeing and listening to every speaker really made me more passionate to pursue something in the healthcare field. I was able to find a path that was just right for me.

-The Future Healthcare Heroes program helped me and my peers to see how many options we have, and through this program, some of us have found our future careers. 

-Each speaker we were able to meet had different stories and pathways. They revealed that everyone has their unique way to grow as a person, and there is no straight path because everyone’s is different. This program allowed me to know more of who I want to be in the future. 

-I am thankful for this grant opportunity that helped us expand our knowledge of healthcare careers.

-Thank you to everyone who was a part of this program allowing us students to have the amazing opportunity to look at careers for our future. I especially want to thank all of our amazing speakers who were willing to talk about their amazing careers.   

-Being part of Future Healthcare Heroes – HCA was a transformative experience for me. We had the opportunity to see what being a nurse is like in real life. That experience changed me because I was able to see that I can become a nurse too, that it is not an impossible job.

This regular feature recognizes the achievements, activities, and accolades of Austin Community College District (ACC) faculty and staff. To submit news or suggestions, see the contact information below.

ACC Jewelry Professor Sugar Gay Isber was featured on Studio512 during a Valentine’s Day Jewelry segment. Watch it here.

Dr. Gary Moreno, ACC Latin American Cultural Center Director and History Professor, received the prestigious Edwin Lieuwen Award for Outstanding Teaching and Promotion of Latin American Studies at the 71st Rocky Mountain Council for Latin American Studies in Salt Lake City. He was selected for his engaging instruction and unwavering support of the broader Latino communities of Central Texas.

ACC’s Office of College Relations & Marketing was recognized with a National Gold Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) in the Digital Newsletter category for the semi-monthly FacStaff Digest. 

Dr. Garrett Groves, ACC Vice Chancellor of Strategic Initiatives, and Dr. Manny Gonzalez, ACC Board of Trustees Secretary, were two of 39 leaders selected to take part in the 10-month 2024-25 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship leadership program through the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. The fellows will work closely with highly accomplished community college presidents and thought leaders to learn from field-leading research, examine demographic and labor market conditions in their communities, assess student outcomes at their colleges, and advance a clear vision for excellent and equitable outcomes for students while in college and after they graduate. One of those leaders is ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, who was selected in September 2023 for the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence. Read more here.

Do you know a student, faculty, or staff member who has accomplished something notable outside the classroom or in their community? We want to hear about them. Contact Victoria Garza Gonzalez, ACC internal communications coordinator, at victoria.garza@austincc.edu.

Throughout Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI), Austin Community College (ACC) sits down with faculty and staff to learn about their AAPI heritage and discuss what the month means to them.

To view AAPI activities, talks, and workshops happening at the college throughout the month, visit ACC’s AAPI Heritage Month webpage.

Tao Huang

Tao Huang (she/her) is an adjunct Government professor who started teaching at ACC in 2012.

Why do you believe it’s important for the college to commemorate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month?
As an institution, commemorating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month says “you belong here” and “we see you.” It’s an acknowledgment as well as a welcoming gesture. It’s like a fist bump, high five, hug, or a simple nod. It’s a tangible way of saying “we accept who you are.”

What is your heritage and what is your favorite way to celebrate it?
I came straight to Austin for my Ph.D. from Taiwan in 2005. I’m fluent in Mandarin writing, reading, listening, and speaking. My favorite way of celebrating my AAPI heritage is to learn to cook and enjoy the cuisines of the Taiwanese streets and my mom’s kitchen. It creates opportunities for my mom, sisters, and me to exchange our secret ingredients. There’s nothing more welcoming than introducing a culture with yummy food. In addition, I still hum Mandarin pop songs stuck in my head from my late teens and early twenties.

What is one personal accomplishment you are most proud of?
I’m most proud of my humility and resilience. This sounds funny, and it’s true. While pursuing my doctoral degree, finding confidence and willingness to learn was always an act of balance, especially when I was trying to find my place in a different culture. To this day, I’m glad I put myself out there and was willing to be vulnerable with those kind, encouraging, wise, and intelligent people who surrounded me and kept me in their thoughts and prayers.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received OR the most valuable life lesson you’ve learned?
The advice I still apply is “Remember where you came from.” When I came to Austin by myself, one of my sisters told me: “You don’t need to finish the degree. Come home when you want to come home. The door is always open for you.” That is my safety net. I know my family will always stand by me whatever my decision is. Remembering where I came from means I know why I am here. That remembrance keeps me grounded and gives me the courage to press forward. 

What advice would you give to our Asian American & Pacific Islander students?
Keep learning. Be curious. There is so much to learn, just like the vast ocean! A learner’s mind is open and humble. That curiosity brings people closer and makes whatever journey we are on a bit more enjoyable.

How do you work to support the AAPI community?
I absolutely enjoy teaching students from so many different backgrounds. It’s a gift to be able to learn from them. I support my students by making myself available to them and listening to their stories and thoughts. I also volunteer at my local ethnic church to serve the next generations. That is one of my ways of thanking those who invested in me.

More profiles coming soon.

Nominate yourself or a colleague you think we should interview for the ACC Talks AAPI Month series. Contact Victoria Garza Gonzalez at victoria.garza@austincc.edu. 

Graduation season is in full swing at Austin Community College District (ACC). The college celebrated the first cohort of the AVANCE to College Program––a program to support parents who want to attend college––on Wednesday, May 8, at the Riverside Campus.

AVANCE is a special program in partnership between ACC, AVANCE-Austin, and WorkForce Solutions Capital Area that supports historically marginalized communities. Parents get access to college courses at ACC, special resources, and unique educational opportunities to help them advance in their careers. Their children also benefit from early childhood instruction. 

This two-generation approach fosters long-term success and economic mobility for predominantly Latino families, addressing their unique needs and promoting school readiness and family growth.

For more information, visit https://avanceaustin.org/programs/avance-to-college/. 

Why It Matters

According to national statistics, 1 in 5 college students have children. In the last legislative session, state lawmakers passed multiple bills to provide more support to students with children. In addition to the AVANCE program, ACC and six other colleges and universities nationwide were selected to participate in the FamilyU program. It’s designed to help the college evaluate and improve institutional support for students who are parents in four competency areas—data, policy, culture, and people. The college also offers:

• A designated liaison officer to assist parenting students.
• Special protections for pregnant and parenting students.
• Early registration opportunities for parenting students.

View photos from the event in the Flickr album below.

Austin Community College District (ACC) honors our students’ incredible achievements at the upcoming Spring 2024 Commencement. More than 3,000 are invited to the ceremony at 4 p.m. Friday, May 17, at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. 

One of those students is ACC’s Chancellor Student Achievement Award winner Theodore Coutois. Hear more about his journey below.

Written by Theodore Courtois

As a first-generation and nontraditional student, I am proud to graduate this semester with my Associate of Science degree in General Studies with Honors. I have been supported in reaching this personally significant milestone by the meaningful connections, strong guidance, and invaluable resources I have found here at Austin Community College. I have been an Aerospace Engineering major in the making since I first discovered the incredible engineering opportunities that ACC offers, and I would not be heading off to Arizona State University to pursue that passion without the faculty and advisors’ drive to cultivate student potential. The phrase “ad astra per aspera” or “through hardship to the stars” is a common adage in pursuing space exploration. I am so thankful that I have been surrounded by loving and encouraging Riverbats have empowered me to grow beyond my own hardship.

A large part of that personal growth has originated in my involvement with Student Life organizations and the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society. The opportunities afforded me through extracurricular activities opened doors that made larger achievements possible. I will always remember the pride and excitement I felt when I was invited to join PTK. That recognition of my dedication to my coursework gave me the confidence I needed to apply to the Honors Program. Here, I learned about the Honors Student Organization where I took on a leadership role as Treasurer. While serving in that role, I found my enthusiasm for student leadership and eventually took up the mantles of President of the HSO and North Region Vice President of the Alpha Gamma Pi chapter of PTK. These experiences developed me as a leader and allowed me to serve the ACC and greater Austin communities. I wanted more to combine my passion for leadership and space.

After exhaustive research on founding a student organization, I became the Founding President of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) at Austin Community College. This new organization competed in a space research competition and developed a program for students to earn their high-power rocketry certification. Now, a year and a half later, the SEDS ACC Rocketry Team is competing in the Spaceport America Cup, the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket engineering conference and competition, as one of only three community colleges to qualify along with over 150 universities from around the world including Yale, Stanford, and MIT.

After building a strong foundation in leadership at Austin Community College, I was ready to take on a new challenge. My sister had recently participated in two incredible NASA opportunities: the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) and the NASA Lucy Student Pipeline Accelerator and Competency Enabler (L’SPACE). Eager to follow her example, I applied for both programs for spring 2023 and received the news that I had been accepted in January. In addition to a full-time course load of 16 credit hours, I embarked on my first NASA experience that semester. I served as the Project Manager for the NCAS MARTEMIS (Mars Arctic Rover for Thermal Exploration, Mining, and Ice Sampling) Mission student team and as Project Manager and Safety Officer for the L’SPACE MACHMIRE (Mars Climate History Micro Rover Expedition) Mission student team. Having the opportunity to learn from NASA professionals rocketed my career trajectory out of this world. With the skills I gained from these experiences, I earned positions as a NASA L’SPACE Program Mentor and a NASA LUCY Mission Intern. Just as my first NASA experiences bolstered my confidence and abilities, these new experiences launched me to new heights. I now serve as the Project Manager of NASA-funded Project Skyfall, a team working to develop innovative new technology for orbital debris mitigation, and as a member of the Board of Directors for SEDS-USA, helping expand space industry opportunities to diverse students nationwide. 

Coming from my background, it was difficult to believe that these accomplishments were within my reach, but I kept going because of the work ethic and determination ingrained in me by my mom and modeled for me by my sister. They continually inspire me and teach me time and again to never give up. As a direct result of their influence, I will be the first person in our family to receive any degree in higher education. 

With each step I take across that stage, I carry so many people with me. I take a step for my mother, who had to leave nursing school and work multiple jobs to support me and my sister; a step for my late father, who will never have the opportunity to see the man that I have become; a step for my brother and a step for my aunt — neither of whom were given nearly enough time in this world. These steps I leave behind me as a testament to the indomitable human spirit.

Similar to the influence of my family, I would not be where I am today without the meaningful mentorship, personal support, and academic guidance that I received from both HSO Advisor Jana McCarthy and Chair of the Honors College, Dr. Anne-Marie Thomas. 

During my final year at Austin Community College, I unexpectedly found myself unhoused and facing great personal obstacles. When I was at my most vulnerable and uncertain, Jana helped me to find peace and stability in my accomplishments and the path that I had built for my future. She helped me remember that I, too, deserved the grace that I gave others. Struggling to maintain my academic path, Dr. Thomas provided endless encouragement through kind words of support and persistent optimism about my future. My persistence in achievement can be attributed to the work of both of these phenomenal women in identifying, developing, and broadcasting opportunities tailored to the needs of students in the ACC Honors Program. From being able to speak at the Community College Humanities Association 2023 National Conference to an enriching journey focused on restorative practices in the University of Texas Youth and Community Studies Fellowship, the Honors Program at Austin Community College provides limitless opportunities for growth and development.

Reflecting on my ACC experience, I know that this was the right place for me all along because of the intellectual and social exploration students have access to in this environment. I started my journey as an Education major but found my way to my true passions because this is a place where we can try anything. If inspiration takes us down a different path, we are all encouraged to try again, and inspiration can be found here in abundance. My inspiration came from the teachings of Dr. Antonia Chimonidou and Professor Purna Murthy and the countless questions they each answered to satiate my curiosity during my conceptual physics courses.

If you come here knowing exactly what you want to study and you can see a clear path for yourself, Austin Community College is the right choice because of the quality of education, number of degree options, strong academic programs, available internships, connections to four-year universities, and affordable tuition. If you are uncertain or even have no idea what you want to pursue, ACC is the right place for you because students are given the time, space, and resources needed for self discovery. No matter your path, along the way you will find a diverse student population bringing ideas and insights from all walks of life — each person honing their own unique passion and taking advantage of the broad spectrum of opportunities available to each and every Riverbat.

To anyone thinking of applying for college, give yourself the opportunity to follow your dreams and then pursue them relentlessly. You are worth investing in your future, and you belong here. There has not been a single moment since clicking on that “Apply Now” button that I have not been thankful for that choice and excited about the endless possibilities that await. 

Though I am moving on to the next phase of my journey to pursue my Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace (Astronautics) Engineering at Arizona State University, I do not leave Austin Community College behind. I will always be a Riverbat and carry my experiences at ACC in every future endeavor. For me, community college has not just been a stepping stone to a four-year university; Austin Community College has been the launch pad for my exploration beyond the bounds of Earth’s atmosphere. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to accelerate to escape velocity.

Austin Community College District (ACC) honors our students’ incredible achievements at the upcoming Spring 2024 Commencement. More than 3,000 are invited to the ceremony at 4 p.m. Friday, May 17, at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. 

We asked some of our students graduating this spring to share their journeys with us. Read their stories below, which have been edited for brevity.

Lorenzo Celli-Vargas | Motivated to Make a Difference

Lorenzo Celli-Vargas is a shining example of the transformative power of education. Lorenzo’s journey began in high school, where he took dual credit courses at ACC. His path led him to ACC through the college’s partnership with Capital IDEA, a program that offers personalized assistance and support to eligible students. Read his full story here.

My name is Lorenzo Celli-Vargas. I am in level four of Austin Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing Program and set to graduate this May. I was born and raised in Austin, and I’m proud to call myself an ACC nursing student. Being a nurse has been my dream since high school. My passion for health and wellness and the drive to care for others is what motivated me to pursue this career. I am so happy to finally be taking the next step in making my dream come true, and I am grateful for the education I received at ACC.

During my time at ACC, I served as a student representative for the nursing curriculum committee and participated in the Associate Degree Nursing Student Association (ADNSA), which I had the honor to lead as its president this past year. These experiences allowed me to hone my leadership and communication skills, which I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I worked closely with ACC faculty and my fellow students across all three nursing campuses and made a difference in my local community by leading and participating in community service projects. It’s been an honor serving ACC nursing students and the local community, and I’m eager to continue doing so in and out of my profession.

Thank you to my parents for loving me through thick and thin and always being there for me. Thank you to my classmates, whom I now call friends, for having my back in tough times. Thank you to the wonderful professors I had who always believed in my success. Thank you to Capital IDEA for making my dream come true. And one last thank you to Sydney Pruitt for allowing me to share my story with you! 

Sapphire Hunter | From Early College High School to Northwestern University

Sapphire Hunter is a student at Manor Early College High School. She will earn her high school diploma and associate degree this spring. Read her full story here. 

Throughout all four years of high school, I have been an active student. I served as a National Honor Society parliamentarian for two years and participated actively in organizations, such as the Coding School and Code2College, engaging in numerous volunteering projects and activities. Furthermore, I have been a four-year varsity cheerleader and a three-time All-American Universal Cheerleaders Association nominee.

Upon graduation, I plan to attend Northwestern University, where I will study Computer Science at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. This summer, I will be a Software Engineer intern at YETI. I aspire to utilize my talents to mentor young girls in the STEM field, progressing from obtaining a bachelor of science to a master’s degree and eventually pursuing a law degree specializing in intellectual property. My goal is to trailblaze as a software or computer engineer and a legal attorney dedicated to protecting users and companies as technology advances. I envision being a part of spaces such as Formula One or prominent companies, contributing my expertise, and making a meaningful impact in these dynamic environments.

I would like to acknowledge Meaghan Pike-Dean for not only enhancing my writing skills and preparing me for my future advanced English classes but also for helping me succeed in crafting compelling college admission essays. She made the classroom welcoming, fun, and was extremely supportive of all her students! 

Erin Loftus | The First Step is Always the Hardest

After starting at ACC in 2022, Erin Loftus will complete an associate degree in Anthropology. Learn more about her journey and plans to transfer to continue her education at the University of Texas-San Antonio. 

Why did you choose ACC? Affordability, location, and friendly staff. 

How does it feel to be graduating? I’m blessed to graduate. I’m super excited for the next phase of my academic career. 

What was your favorite part of ACC? My favorite parts about ACC were the amazing professors I had, the amazing students I got to meet and study with, and the amazing campus and resources they provide. I love the online library and writing workshops ACC offers. 

Any faculty or staff you want to recognize supporting you? Professor Wendy Lym is the BEST! I wish I could take her with me to grad school!

What is next for you? I’m going to complete my bachelor’s in Anthropology at the University of Texas-San Antonio and apply to law schools this upcoming year. 

Employees have been asked to help evaluate ACC Cabinet leadership and the Chancellor. The online survey is meant to provide a baseline so that they know how, where, and what can be improved.

All faculty and staff should have received a unique survey link in an email sent out from ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart on April 29.

At the May Virtual Employee Town Hall, the Chancellor assured employees that only he and one other employee in the Office of Institutional Research and Analytics who signed an NDA will have access to view survey responses. Individual responses will remain anonymous so that no one can tie a survey or specific response to an individual.

The Chancellor will review the feedback and present cabinet members with a thematic analysis, talk to them about overall numbers, and may share selected comments with unidentifiable information.

Employees have until May 17 to complete the survey using the link in the email they received.

If you have any questions about the survey, contact Kimberly Anderson at kimberly.anderson@austincc.edu.

Over the last few months, Austin Community College District (ACC) welcomed a new Director of Talent and three HR Business Partners. Meet the people who have taken on these positions.

From ACC Human Resources’ HappyHR Newsletter

Introducing ACC’s inaugural Talent Director 

One of the things you’ve been asking for is enhanced career and succession planning. HR’s latest hire is tasked with doing exactly that.

Welcome Wade Trost, our new Director of Talent. He will lead our existing Professional Development team in providing high-quality career transformational goods and services to all ACC staff through consultation, skill, and behavioral-based education. He will focus on fostering employees’ talents and creating new opportunities for self and professional growth.

Wade has nine years of combined experience in the professional services industry working for Ernst & Young in a variety of roles including talent acquisition, learning and development, and employee relations. Prior to that, Wade worked in banking in roles focusing on customer engagement and portfolio management.

At home, Wade enjoys time with his “fur son” Cooper and the rest of his family and friends. He’s an avid movie, theater, and music goer, and loves baking and helping others.

Wade holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Texas State University. He is also a Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)-Certified Professional and is currently working toward his coaching certification through Coach Diversity Institute.

HR Business Partners are here for you

One of the goals of bringing on board business partners is to personalize and connect with you. Erica Breedlove, Aly Wang, and Donald Jackson spent their first 90 days as HR Business Partners developing and defining their new roles. They’ve studied the landscape at ACC, researched potential improvements, met with key leaders, and produced an operational plan. Now, it’s time to take the show on the road!

Each has been assigned a region and a collection of ACC departments to focus on. But all three will be working closely together as well, connecting daily to ensure consistency in approach and service level across divisions and campuses.

Donald Jackson | South Region (Hays, Riverside, South Austin)

Donald Jackson has more than 15 years of experience as a Human Capital professional, most recently as an HR Manager for the City of Austin. He is a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and his background includes stints as HR Director for the Department of Veteran Affairs and adjunct college professor. Donald holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a BS in HR Management, and professional certification from the Society for Human Resource Management. During his free time, Donald enjoys traveling, attending live entertainment events, and spending time with family.

Aly Wang | Central Region (Eastview, Elgin, Highland, Rio Grande)

Aly Wang was part of the HR leadership development program at Baker Hughes before coming to ACC. That position gave her opportunities to work with a variety of HR teams such as talent management, HR technology, and talent acquisition. Aly has a master’s degree in Human Resources from the University of Minnesota at Twin Cities and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Texas-Austin. She enjoys exploring coffee shops, going to parks, and spending time with her family.

Erica Breedlove | North Region (Cypress Creek, Northridge, Round Rock, San Gabriel)

For many at ACC, Erica Breedlove needs no introduction. She has served the college as its Employment and Outreach Services Manager for more than 23 years, helping both employees and new hires with their employment needs. She also has worked as the Director of Workforce Development at the Austin Area Urban League and as an Account Executive/Recruiter with Spherion. Erica has a master’s in Organizational Change and Leadership and a bachelor’s in Human Resources Management. She volunteers with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and enjoys good food, 90s R&B music, and candid conversations with family and friends​.

All three business partners have been meeting with their assigned dotted-line supervisors, the vice chancellors over their assigned areas of responsibility. They’re also undergoing on-the-job training to ensure consistency in our business practices. Erica continues to assist “Home Office” HR while transitioning from her role of Employment & Outreach Manager.

When you see Erica, Aly, or Donald on campus, stop and say hi. We can’t wait to hear about your unique ACC experience! A web page with more information about the business partners is coming soon.

If you miss them in person, send them a meeting request through the HR Mojo ticketing system or email hrsupport@austincc.edu. 

Get the latest HR news in the bi-weekly HappyHR newsletter. Links to the current and previous newsletters can be found on the HR News web page. 

The Riverbats Employee Bravo Awards program recognizes employees whose actions reflect exemplary customer service as demonstrated by excellent communication, collaboration, or responsiveness in support of the mission, vision, and values of ACC. 

ACC congratulates the following Riverbats Bravo award recipients for April 2024.

Highland Campus
Asha Vasudevan Pillai
John Zehr
Kiran Paragsingh
Swetha Karri

Hays Campus
Isiah Edwards

Northridge Campus
Katherine Brady

Rio Grande Campus
Angelica Huerta
Richelle Van

Round Rock Campus
Kendall Dingee

Riverbats Employee Bravo Award Program winners are eligible for the Riverbats Excellence Award given during the fall and spring semesters to one employee from each campus.

Visit the Riverbats Employee Bravo Awards Program webpage to learn about the program, view award criteria, or access a nomination form. 

For more information, contact Gabriela Guerrero at gguerro@austincc.edu.

ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart held his May Virtual Employee Town Hall on Friday, May 3. More than 600 employees logged in to join the discussion.

This month’s town hall focused on the college’s Theory of Change process steps, audit updates,  leadership evaluations, and how ACC is supporting the semiconductor industry. The Chancellor spent time at the end to address rumors.

Below are highlights from the discussion, with links to read more about some of the topics.

Theory of Change Design Process

Lowery-Hart started the discussion by asking attendees to reflect and share how their job ultimately helps students.

He said he was overwhelmed by the number of people willing to dive into the college’s bottom-up innovation process for the Theory of Change (TOC). There were well over 800 nominations to serve on the design teams, with 405 individuals completing the innovation assessment and paperwork.

The Theory of Change Steering Committee, originally the Strategic Plan Planning Committee, is tri-chaired by Lowery-Hart, Provost Dr. Monique Umphrey, and ACC Professor Dr. Samantha Croft. As the next step, the committee will have a retreat May 14-15. There, they will learn about design thinking, change management, how to lead transformation and change, and how to use data. The committee will establish charges for each of the design teams and will start the process of selecting members based on the nominations received. 

The design teams will begin their respective work in three phases. They will look at our current structure to discuss where it’s working and identify its strengths and limitations.

The size of each team is still to be determined, but Lowery-Hart said that the committee will be intentional in designing the process to engage all employees who were nominated. He also stressed that there will be radical transparency and multiple opportunities for engagement for all employees throughout the process.

“I don’t want the design process to happen in isolation,” he said. “As the teams go through the process, there will be agendas for each meeting, minutes that will be posed, and opportunities for you to engage, give feedback, ask questions, share fears and concerns, and share your excitement and hope.” 

He also asked for radical simplicity moving forward: “The more processes and rules that we have that could be simplified, the harder we’re making it for each other and for our students to navigate our work.”

Upward Evaluations of ACC Leadership

More than 20% of employees have either completed or started filling out the upward evaluation survey that Lowery-Hart sent out via email on April 29. He said the survey will provide a baseline so that he and ACC Cabinet leadership know how, where, and what can be improved. 

If you’re unsure about who a particular cabinet member is or if you feel like you don’t have enough information to rate them, Lowery-Hart suggests marking “I don’t know” in the submission field.  

The Chancellor assured employees that he and one other employee in the Office of Institutional Research and Analytics who signed an NDA are the only ones who can view the results.

He will present cabinet members with a thematic analysis, talk to them about overall numbers, and may share selected comments with unidentifiable information.

Employees have until May 17 to complete the survey using the link in the email they received.

Updates on Audits

The Chancellor said that he received verbal reports from the external auditing firm on the safety and operations audits that are currently underway. He expects to receive the full, official reports by the end of May or in early June.

To date, the safety audit has assessed where we are, examined our process and structure, and identified helpful training opportunities. 

Lowery-Hart said this will be the summer of safety. The college will talk a lot about safety procedures and protocols and undergo training. 

The operations audit contains a matrix that includes the duties in operations that need to be executed for the college to operate. The auditors cross-applied that to job descriptions and organizational structure and identified some holes that may explain why some things aren’t being completed.

“We just really need clarity on roles and responsibilities, and then when we have that clarity, we can build in some shared accountability,” he says.

Once that report is complete, the Chancellor will review it with operations leadership and work through what structures need to be in place.

This summer, the audit firm will start reviewing ACC’s purchasing and accounts payable areas. Lowery-Hart hopes to have those audits completed by the fall. 

ACC’s Role in the Semiconductor Industry

With the significant investments being made in the semiconductor industry regionally and nationwide, the Chancellor wanted to prepare employees for upcoming conversations on what role ACC may play. 

He started by praising Associate Dean of Advanced Manufacturing Programs Dr. Laura Marmolejo; Design, Manufacturing, Construction & Applied Tech Interim Dean Troy DeFrates; and their teams for their work in building a world-renowned semiconductor program at the college over the past decade. He also thanked Instruction Vice Chancellor Dr. Gaye Lynn Scott, Provost Dr. Monique Umphrey, and Strategic Initiatives Vice Chancellor Dr. Garrett Groves for their leadership, and he shared that Dr. Brandon Whately will be returning to ACC as Associate Vice Chancellor of Workforce Education. 

Lowery-Hart said our semiconductor workforce training program is “the envy of the world, and that we have institutions from all over the world and the country coming to us to learn how to do it effectively and correctly.” 

According to the Chancellor, the work will be incredibly important not only to our region but our country and the world, and he is expecting more announcements over the next six months.

“We have the nation’s premiere workforce training program, yet a lot of the semiconductor work is not happening in our service area,” he said. Samsung is building out its new campus in Taylor, which is in Temple Community College’s service area and the Hutto Independent School District, which means we will need to partner with entities that we’ve typically not partnered with before. 

Additionally, he said we are already working with community colleges in Arizona, Ohio, New York, and Florida to build a national ecosystem to share resources, curriculum, and opportunities—allowing entities to invest in the network. 

Lowery-Hart said they don’t yet have clarity about what it all means for ACC, but he will keep employees informed.

Rumor Busting

Q: Which Continuing Education (CE) programs are covered by the Free Tuition Pilot Program? 
A: We are waiting for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to define the specific CE programs eligible under House Bill 8. 

Q: When will General Assembly be?
A: It will be held in person on Friday, November 8. The college will close down so that all employees can attend. An exact location hasn’t been determined. 

Q: What will our next bachelor’s degree offering be? Have we considered one in social work or psychology?
A: We offer four bachelor’s degrees now, and we are allowed five. So, ACC can only add one additional program to our catalog. It is a laborious process to get done. We need to do a lot of analysis on the gaps in our regional education, which is why a lot have been workforce-specific. As a college, we have big things ahead of us that need to get done before we have those conversations.

Q: The University of Texas fired 60 employees that had previously worked in DEI programs following a letter from Sen. Creighton related to Senate Bill 17.  How would you react to a similar letter? 
A: We have made a good faith effort to honor the requirements of SB17, and are responding to the State Auditor and Legislature. We will not eliminate any employees. We have already made all of our SB17 transitions. 

Q: Will upward evaluations be implemented at every level?
That is the plan. We’re still working on the implementation and system but we want to get to that goal as soon as possible. More to come.

View the entire Q&A transcript and watch the recording on the Virtual Employee Town Hall web page.

You are invited to celebrate the culmination of all the hard work and dedication of our students at Austin Community College District’s (ACC) 2024 Spring Commencement Ceremony. This semester, more than 3,000 students are invited to walk the stage. Additionally, with more than 3,700 students invited to fall commencement in December, the academic year total is more than 6,700 graduates. 

This event marks the college’s official 50th commencement, with the first ceremony taking place in May 1974.

“This is my favorite event of every semester. I am encouraged by the success and admire our students’ strength, brilliance, and perseverance to get here,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “The future of learning and workforce is at a community college because we provide the skills you need to get a career and earn a family-sustaining wage. Our job is to help these students finish what they started to get there. It fills me with immense pride knowing we are already seeing the work pay off to support more students completing what they started and taking those next steps.” 

All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend commencement to help cheer on our graduates. You can also show some virtual love to our spring 2024 grads on our online message board below, which will be shown during the commencement ceremony.

2024 Spring Commencement Ceremony
Date: Friday, May 17
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Avenue of the Stars

ACC’s celebration honors those who have completed an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, workforce certificate, or high school equivalency program. The ceremony will include special guest Texas State University President Dr. Kelly Damphousse.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/commencement.

The Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees unanimously certified a petition from residents living within the territory covered by Lockhart ISD (LISD) who are interested in putting an ACC annexation item on the ballot this November. The board voted during its regular meeting on Monday, May 6, 2024. 

Community members seeking annexation were required to collect signatures from at least five percent of local registered voters in order for an annexation election to take place, per Texas Education Code.

Community members submitted 1,013 signatures from voters living within the territory to be annexed, exceeding the five percent of registered voters required (744).

Proposed Service Plan

The college presented a proposed service plan for Lockhart ISD. The plan includes three distinct phases of potential facility development in the community. 

• Phase 1: ACC will work with LISD to provide services on LISD property during evenings and weekends when LISD property is not otherwise in use. The college will offer expanded career and technical workforce offerings as well as collaborate with the school district on the implementation of an Early College High School.
• Phase 2: ACC will work with the local community to develop and occupy a 15,000-square-foot to 20,000-square-foot workforce and general education space located in close proximity to Lockhart High School.
• Phase 3: ACC will purchase land and develop a permanent facility in the territory to be annexed after consultation with local community, economic, and educational leadership to ensure that the permanent facility meets the emerging and projected needs of the region.

Should voters decide to join the ACC District, homeowners living within Lockhart ISD  territory would pay a property tax currently set at $0.0986 per $100 assessed property valuation. The total tax rate includes a maintenance and operations tax rate of $0.0854  (which cannot be increased without voter approval). The college offers a standard $5,000 homestead exemption. Senior citizens and homeowners with disabilities receive an additional $75,000 exemption for a total exemption of $80,000.

In exchange for paying the property tax, ACC District residents have access to much lower tuition and fees. Currently, in-district students pay $85 per credit hour in tuition and fees, compared with $286 per credit hour for out-of-district students (effective 2024-25). High school graduates and GED® completers would benefit even more thanks to the recently approved ACC Free Tuition pilot program. The program covers tuition and general fees for up to five years at ACC. Currently, since Lockhart ISD is considered out-of-district, those students are still responsible for the out-of-district fee of $201 per credit hour. 

Residents also receive access to more comprehensive programs and services, including:

• ACC student support services, including advising, admissions and records, academic counseling, career counseling, financial aid, and student life.
• ACC customized training to assist businesses and organizations in their employee training.
• ACC degrees and/or certificates in transfer, career pathways, and Continuing Education noncredit.
• ACC support programs such as English-as-a Second Language (ESL), GED®, and Adult Basic Education offerings to prepare people for entering college credit programs.
• Credit or noncredit entry-level, and reentry job-training programs at ACC that can be completed in one year or less.
• Eligibility to vote in elections of the ACC governing Board of Trustees.
• Eligibility to run for the ACC governing Board of Trustees.

If approved, residents living within the Lockhart ISD territory will receive in-district benefits immediately. 

Specific questions about the Service Plan may be directed to 512-223-7071.

Next Steps

Lockhart ISD residents may learn more about the annexation and proposed service plan at a public hearing hosted by the ACC Board of Trustees on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the Lockhart Independent School District Performing Arts Center (906 Center Street, Lockhart, TX, 78644) at 5:30 p.m. 

The hearing will be livestreamed on the college’s website and will be rebroadcast on ACCTV.

While ACC encourages communities to explore the benefits and costs of joining the district, the college does not advocate for or against any such initiative. The law does allow the college to respond to questions and provide facts about annexation; however, the decision on whether to join the ACC District rests solely with the voters within those territories. 

For more information about the annexation process at ACC, visit austincc.edu/annexation. 

The Academic Support Services division of Student Affairs is now accepting proposals for its annual professional development conference: “Empowering Academic Support Services: Nurturing Belonging, Fostering Persistence, and Amplifying Student Success.” 

The virtual conference will take place Monday, August 22, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. This professional development opportunity for academic support champions—including tutors, academic coaches, and supplemental instruction leaders—will offer workshops, panel discussions, and multimedia presentations that explore the college’s four values for promoting change: Courage, Compassion, Joy, and Yes. 

ACC staff and faculty are invited to submit proposals for sessions that illustrate how tutoring, peer leadership, and academic coaching can nurture belonging (Compassion), foster persistence (Courage), and amplify student success (Joy), as well as session proposals focused on modeling leadership excellence (Saying Yes).

Proposals may be submitted HERE through Friday, May 10.

This year, Austin Community College District (ACC) hosted the inaugural Prosper Tax Center in the ACCelerator at Highland Campus to provide free tax preparation assistance to hundreds of Central Texans and paid job-training opportunities to ACC students.

By the time the site shut down for the tax season on Wednesday, April 15, 2024, the team had prepared 421 tax returns. The goal for the site, which opened in February 2024, was 250 returns.

“That’s phenomenal for a first-year site of our size,” says Karen Serna, Student Financial Wellness and Financial Aid Outreach Director. “Additionally, taxpayers contributed $63,227 of their refunds towards savings—that means they used form 8888 to split their refund and send a portion to savings.”  

Serna estimates that about half of the users were affiliated with ACC—either current students or faculty/staff—while the other half were members of the broader community.

“What was particularly fun to see was the connection many community users had to ACC. It was common to find that they were family members of our students. I especially enjoyed seeing students bringing in their parents and other relatives to get their taxes done. It highlighted the sense of community that defines ACC,” says Serna.

The college partnered on this initiative with Foundation Communities’ Prosper Tax Help program team, which has provided free tax preparation in the Austin area for over 20 years. Their team of volunteers and staff with deep expertise—including retired accountants, ex-IRS employees, and former and current accounting professors—provided training to the ACC students hired to support the site.

Student Employment Opportunities

“One of the most rewarding moments for me personally was when we introduced the employment opportunity to our students. I was anxious about how the students would receive this opportunity,” says Serna. “The response exceeded my expectations, which was a clear indication that our students are eagerly seeking on-campus employment that aligns with their area of study and provides them with real-world experience.”

113 students applied for the 11 positions. 

“60 of those applicants were business or accounting majors, which speaks volumes about the relevance of this program to their academic and professional growth,” says Serna.

The students received training from the Prosper Tax Help training team and had to pass several IRS certification exams. They learned to navigate tax issues, collaborating closely among themselves. 

Often, a Prosper Tax Help staff member would be present at the site to ensure quality control and offer ongoing training, which enhanced the students’ skills and confidence. Whenever the students encountered obstacles, they could reach out to Prosper Tax Help’s training and leadership teams for guidance. 

Key to Success

Serna attributes the collaboration and level of engagement across various college departments and with our community partner as vital to the success of the initiative:

“The success of our tax help site is attributed to the remarkable collaboration across various departments and with our community partner. The planning involved numerous stakeholders within Austin Community College, including colleagues from Instruction, College Relations & Marketing, ACC GROW, the ACCelerators, Student Affairs Communications, and notably, our external partner, Foundation Communities. This was truly a team effort; everyone contributed.”

As for next steps, the teams will gather feedback and document challenges and successes over the next couple of months. ACC will meet with Foundation Communities in May to discuss the feasibility of a site next year.

Thirty-seven renowned companies attended the second annual Architectural & Engineering CAD Career Fair on April 5 at ACC Highland Campus. The career fair was a collaborative effort of the Architectural & Engineering CAD (A&E CAD), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Geospatial Engineering (GE) departments.

The Career Fair is a hub of innovation, networking, and opportunity for participants. Companies participants included Architecture, BIM, Civil Engineering, Land Surveying, Mechanical Engineering, GIS, and Electronic Semiconductor Layout and Design.

Participants not only had the chance to network, but also received invaluable support from ACC’s Career Services. The ‘Prepare for the Fair’ session, a key component of this support, offered guidance on resume writing and interview preparation, equipping participants with the tools they need to succeed. 

But perhaps the most telling measure of our Career Fair’s triumph lies in the feedback we’ve received from attendees themselves.

Feedback from students:

 “The career fair was great. Thank you for providing students such a big opportunity to see all the related companies on campus. Last week, I interviewed with LJA Company and GarzaEMC, and this week, I have an upcoming interview with Dashiell.”

“It was super exciting and is influencing my coursework. I’m very excited. Thank you! The experience was incredibly helpful and I gained much more understanding of the different disciples. Everyone was so excited about drafting!”

MMR, Pape-Dawson Engineers, KT Civil, Mahoney Engineering, SAM Companies, Walker Partners, Kimley-Horn, and others sponsored the event.

Learn more about opportunities by visiting A&E CAD, GIS, and GE and explore all that our programs offer.

As the curtains draw on another Austin Fashion Week, the spotlight shines brightly on the collaboration between the city’s premier fashion event and designers-in-residence at Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Fashion Incubator. ACC Fashion Incubator’s designers took center stage, showcasing their works, during a show at the Domain in April. 

“We are super excited to showcase the talent of our cohort, alumni, and fellows at Austin Fashion Week,” says Nina Means, ACC Fashion Incubator director. “This collaboration provides our designers with a platform to gain exposure for their brands. They have put in a lot of time and effort into their work, and we’re all eager to see it on stage.”

Attendees of Austin Fashion Week were treated to cutting-edge designs and artistic expressions of the ACC Fashion Incubator’s designers. The showcase featured a lineup of brands including Banbury Saints, Design Girls World, Florezco, Faire Sauvage, J. Marz Designs, Lost Generation, Onyx D’or, Sleep, Never, Sticky Gold, and Universo Uno. 

The partnership between Austin Fashion Week and the ACC Fashion Incubator highlights the shared commitment to nurturing emerging talent within the fashion industry. Through this collaboration, the Fashion Incubator provides aspiring designers with invaluable resources, mentorship, and opportunities to catapult their careers onto the global stage.

“Austin Fashion Week has grown into the fourth largest fashion week concept in the United States through incredible partnerships with emerging designers across Texas and beyond,” says Matt Swinney, Fashion X Texas CEO. “Not the least of which are the incredibly talented designers that have been through the ACC Fashion Incubator. This group, in particular, is well-poised to make a significant impact on the fashion industry globally, and having them debut collections during Austin Fashion Week is truly remarkable.”

The Fashion Incubator provides small business and emerging entrepreneurs access to cutting-edge resources to help turn their fashion ideas into profitable products. The 12-month program covers an intensive curriculum including concepts of commercialization, product development/production, small business practice, and marketing. 

For further information, visit austincc.edu/fashionincubator.

In 2024, approximately 60 foster youth from the Austin area are expected to graduate. When they age out of the system, they must pack up their belongings—often in a large plastic bag—as they move out and onto their next chapter of life.

Austin Community College District (ACC) works to provide these youth with a fresh start through the annual Foster Care Luggage Drive, and you can help.

We’re collecting new or gently used rolling suitcases to provide foster youth. Donations will be accepted throughout May in multiple ways: 

• Monetary donations will be taken through the Market Place website. A $45 contribution can fully purchase one carry-on rolling duffel bag; however, all donations will help. 
• You can also donate a new or gently used bag. Donations are accepted at any ACC Student Advocacy Center — there’s one located on each campus. 

This year’s goal is to raise $3,000 and collect 60 pieces of luggage by Friday, May 31, to support those students. 

Organized by the ACC Student Advocacy Center, all donations benefit the Department of Family and Protective Services Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program.

ACC provides wraparound services for foster youth. Any student who has aged out of foster care can receive case management, academic advising, and guidance. 

Additional support for students through the Student Advocacy Center includes:

• Child care and textbook scholarships, 
• Community resources for housing and basic needs, 
• Food access,
• Alumni support, and more.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/luggagedrive.

ACC invites all faculty, staff, and students to a Campus Conversation to learn about ACC’s budget process.

In this campus conversation, ACC’s Executive Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administration, Neil Vickers, will discuss the college’s annual budget development process. Join us to learn more about how ACC’s budget comes together each year, from evaluating our revenue streams to planning for our expenses. 

Campus Conversation: Understanding the Budget Process

Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024 
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. 
In-Person: ACC Highland Presentation Hall (Building 2000)
Virtual: Watch & learn through livestream

For those who can join in person, there may be time for a brief Q+A toward the end of the conversation. Virtual guests can leave comments in the livestream chat window. 

For more information, visit the ACC Campus Conversations web page.

ACC hosts its first THRIVE! Gala on Wednesday, April 24, at SKYBOX on 6th. The gala honors the transformative power of the student journey. ACC’s Student Experience & Outcomes new initiative recognizes students who attain noteworthy outcomes while navigating insurmountable odds.

View the photos in the Flickr album below.

ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart hosts monthly Virtual Employee Town Hall Meetings to stay connected with faculty and staff. The May Virtual Employee Town Hall takes place Friday, May 3, at 9 a.m. via Zoom.

The conversation provides us with an opportunity to discuss our Theory of Change process, share updates on the safety audit, talk about our bottom-up leadership training, learn more about how ACC is supporting the rapidly growing semiconductor industry in Central Texas, and dive into rumor-busting.

Date: Friday, May 3
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Join us on Zoom
(Space is limited. The meeting is recorded and a link will be shared.)

Each Town Hall Meeting is held via Zoom and features updates from the Chancellor about what’s happening across the district. The Chancellor is joined by cabinet members who can assist with answering questions.

During each meeting, participants will have an opportunity to share comments, questions, and ideas or concerns in the virtual chat box.

A recording and a recap of the conversation will be posted on the Town Hall Meetings web page.