The Chancellor’s Student Achievement Award (CSAA) is the most prestigious ACC award earned by a graduating student. Each fall and spring graduation, this award is presented to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence, service to ACC and the community, and commitment to ACC’s values and vision.

Fall 2024 CSAA nominations open on Monday, July 29, and close on Friday, October 11. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to nominate a graduating student. Students can also self-nominate.

The recipient of the Chancellor’s Student Achievement Award will receive a $500 award, a letter of recommendation from the Chancellor, and a plaque. In addition, the recipient is the first student to walk across the stage at graduation and will provide a brief remark to the graduating class.

To learn more about eligibility requirements and submit a nomination, visit austincc.edu/csaa.

Contact csaa@austincc.edu with any questions regarding the nomination process. 

For the first time, five Austin Community College District (ACC) students joined the prestigious 2024 Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA) Public Service Weekend. This year’s conference theme was “Emerging Public Policy Issues in Texas & the American South.” 

The students attended the three-day conference from Thursday, July 18, through Sunday, July 21, at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. The conference aims to empower students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to consider graduate degrees and careers in public service. 

One of those students was Ryan C. (top right in photo above). The 23-year-old philosophy student began his ACC journey in 2023 and plans to transfer to earn his bachelor’s degree next year. 

Learn more about his experience and journey at ACC below.

I heard about the UT LBJ school’s Public Service Weekend from a professor who has been a great influence and has pointed me toward opportunities. I had participated more actively in politics several years ago, but I wasn’t sure if the program would be right for my path forward. However, I decided to apply and was accepted. 

I was surprised but also excited. With the political climate of the U.S. and Texas being so charged, I sometimes felt I was trying to ignore the legislative process and focus on more abstract things. This allowed me to observe more of that process and the mindset of the policymakers behind it.

For the program, we were sorted into teams. We had to get to know and work with some of our student colleagues, and we were given policy subjects—many of them especially tough—on which to write and present a policy proposal, which would be graded by a panel. Throughout the day we were lectured by various experts in their fields. 

One of many highlights for me included an education subject panel with teachers, ISD board members, and education policy advocates. Here, I connected some of the ongoing policy struggles that stripped public schools of more and more resources—and left many children behind or with growing gaps in their education—with some of my experiences in the public system as a child. Areas of policy like this factor into every aspect of our lives. Some of these long-running policy debates had shaped me as a person when I was not even privy to them—getting an insider look, then, is a little like learning more about the conditions that shaped me and my peers … and how educators are fighting for better conditions for the future against the political trends around us.

Throughout the weekend, my team and I researched and debated implementing our policy subject at a federal level. Ours was known for gridlock, so we looked for bipartisan action. We cooperated with other teams and got to hear about their processes. When judged, our feedback was real, applicable, and experienced. None of us expected to become experts on our issue overnight, but the presentations I watched my peers give felt like legitimate, applicable proposals — like we were finding a way through today’s political climate to come up with real solutions.

I expected to feel out of place. But watching my ACC peers—who took on leadership roles, led projects, and asked great questions every lecture—I gradually began to see some of the characteristics of us ACC students at play.

I got to know some very inspiring people who I’m confident are headed to great places. For that reason I want to especially thank Samy Ráez for helping make this opportunity a reality, Dr. Anne-Marie Thomas, and all leadership of the Honors program. For my ACC peers—I’m glad I had this opportunity. By the end of it, you’ve been able to work with some extremely bright people, learn from insiders about the sometimes esoteric political process, and be shown your value and input directly at all stages of our politics. 

As a community college student, I can be my worst enemy: the LBJ PPIA opportunity showed me how to get out of my way. I encourage any of my friends at ACC to apply.

ACC will soon launch a Retiree Association to extend a sense of purpose to former employees and provide opportunities to help them stay engaged.

The college is asking for help from current employees to ensure that it reaches as many retirees as possible to share this opportunity. 

If you are in touch with any ACC retirees:

Share the following information with them, which includes a survey link:

Join the ACC Retiree Association – Stay Connected, Engaged, and Enriched!

• Why Join? Opportunities for social engagement, personal growth, and staying active through volunteer work and speaking engagements.
• Perks Include: Discounts on events, access to a dedicated website for retirees, and special programs tailored to their interests.

Let ACC know you are interested by filling out the Retiree Association survey.

Share your interest:

As a current ACC employee, we would also like your feedback with this brief 2-question poll.

The college is also creating a website for retirees and planning a retiree luncheon for the fall.

The Performance Excellence Program (PEP) period is already halfway over. To date, about one-third of the evaluations have been completed.

PEP is a tool used to provide feedback to all classified, professional-technical, and administrator employees about their job performance, behavior, and professional development goals.

The process starts with the employee filling out a self-evaluation in Workday. After that, the employee’s supervisor initiates a discussion about performance based on the employee’s job profile. The whole process must be completed by August 23, 2024.

New this year is the addition of a rating category which allows supervisors to more accurately reflect the employee’s standing. Also, supervisors are being asked to make their feedback more future-focused, in alignment with ACC’s Theory of Change and North Star goals.

A full FAQ, including details such as who is exempt from PEP and who should be conducting the evaluation when an employee has reported to more than one supervisor, can be found on the Self-Evaluation webpage or the Staff Evaluation for Supervisors webpage.

Those pages also contain numerous resources, such as webinars, LinkedIn Learning Articles, and Job Aids. 

If you still can’t find the answer to your PEP questions, submit an HR Mojo ticket.

Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Instructional Leadership Team is now complete. The existing leadership structure, in place since 2017, has grown from five to seven members. 

“The College expects an instructional leadership team that is focused, collaborative, collegial, intentional, and committed to our mission and our North Star,” says ACC Vice Chancellor of Instruction Dr. Gaye Lynn Scott, who leads the team. “As this team works to develop its goals, objectives, and measures for the coming years, the North Star and the Theory of Change will be our guiding context.” 

She added that the demands on instructional leaders have significantly shifted post-COVID. “The instructional leadership structure must adapt to changing demands and expectations for excellence in all instructional programs and support services, credit and non-credit, workforce and transfer, distance and face-to-face.”

The existing team consisted of Dr. Erasmus Addae, AVC of Distance & Alternative Learning, and Dr. Susan Warner-Sanchez, AVC of Instructional Support Services.  

In addition to filling vacancies for interim Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) positions in College & High School Relations, Academic Programs, and Workforce Education, two new leadership positions were added. Those two new positions, created by repurposing existing vacancies, are the Managing Director of Instructional Operations and the AVC of Health Sciences.  

New members of the team include:

• Dr. Elizabeth Knight, who started as the AVC of Academic Programs in November 2023;
• Mison Zuniga, who assumed the permanent position of AVC of College & High School Relations in the spring;
• Dr. Brandon Whatley, who started in June as the AVC of Workforce Education; 
• David Borden, who recently started as the new Managing Director of Instructional Operations; and  
• Dr. Nina Almasy, who accepted the AVC of Health Sciences position and will start in that new role in mid-August. 

“Collectively, they will lead the work of instruction with a heart for students and a passion for our mission. I’m so pleased to lead and support this group and I know we will do great things together,” says Dr. Scott.

About the New Instructional Operations and Initiatives Managing Director Position
Instruction is a large unit of the College, with faculty, professional-technical, classified, and administrative staff. The Fall 2023 Fact Book shows that ACC had 688 full-time faculty members and 1,098 adjunct faculty members. The College also has hundreds of hourly faculty in Continuing Education and Adult Education, along with coordinators, managers, directors, administrative assistants, lab techs, and instructional deans.  

The resulting operational demands in such a large division need focused attention and support in such areas as data engagement, budgetary oversight, communications, and compliance.  The Managing Director role will help lead the operational responsibilities so that the Vice Chancellor of Instruction can focus on strategic vision and leadership and provide support for innovation and cross-silo initiatives.

About the New AVC of Health Sciences Position
ACC’s Health Sciences programs are multifaceted and complex, each with separate accreditation expectations and all facing constant challenges for clinical placements for all students. The College created the position of AVC for Health Sciences to provide a leader who can develop and implement a strategic vision that reflects a laser focus on external partnerships to support and grow its health sciences offerings and meet the needs for highly-skilled healthcare workers in our six-county service area.

Next Steps

Under the Vice Chancellor of Instruction, the team has started engaging in an exercise to develop its communal “Why” that will guide its leadership work in Instruction. The team will then develop its “How,” which will describe the actions it will take to bring the “Why” to life. Connected to the “How” is the “What,” the concrete manifestation of the “Why.”  

Members will use this exercise to develop a brief statement that reflects the leadership team and its work and serves as its driving force. The exercise will be repeated within each division of the leadership team, and collectively help the team set goals and objectives and stay focused on what matters most: helping our students achieve their goals.

ACC continues to add food and beverage options on campus for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The desire for “sticky campuses” with amenities that allow students and employees to remain on campus has been reiterated in campus conversations, town hall meetings, surveys, and more. 

Eastview Campus
The newest food option on campus is the Eastview Cafe, which opened in spring 2024. It is located in the commons area on the first floor of Building 2000 on the Eastview Campus. Its summer hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Fall hours are still being determined.

Rio Grande Campus
Cafe Rio opened on the first floor of the Rio Grande Campus in January 2023. It serves specialty coffee drinks, breakfast, and lunch. Its summer hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the hours will remain the same in the fall.

Highland Campus
There are two food options located at ACC Highland Campus. 

First, the Grab & Go — located on the first floor of Highland Building 2000 —  has been open since fall 2021. It is operated by the ACC Culinary Arts department and staffed by students. 

It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. The Grab & Go has closed for the remainder of the summer semester but will reopen starting Tuesday, August 27, for the fall semester. 

When it reopens in August, it will feature several new menu items. Breakfast tacos, avocado toast, and a new orange mango smoothie will be available for breakfast. For lunch, an autumn salad, a panini caprese sandwich, a black bean corn salsa quesadilla, and a warm tomato-fennel soup will be added to the menu. Chips, salsa, and guacamole will be available for snacks.

Plans for ACC’s student-run restaurant, Eatery 73 during the fall semester have not yet been determined. Stay tuned for more details. 

Riverside Campus
A new campus cafe will open at the Riverside Campus next. A location has been identified in the commons area on the first floor of Building A. The opening date is dependent on the approval of its food permit application. 

The Eastview, Rio Grande, and Riverside cafes are all staffed by ACC Campus Operations staff. 

As a result of the findings by external auditing firm McConnell Jones, ACC’s Security, Safety, and Operations departments will undergo a reorganization that will allow the college to move forward more efficiently and collaboratively. 

At the July Virtual Employee Town Hall meeting, ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart shared the reorganization plan that realigns elements of operations and safety throughout the college. Prior to the Town Hall, he met with leaders directly affected in the reorganization reporting structure and then with each affected employee group so that the announcement wouldn’t come as a surprise.

“I know that any process around change and reorganization is scary and frightening and uncertain, even when we can say no one is losing their job, no one is losing salary—it’s uncertain, and I wanted to acknowledge that,” said Russell.

He laid out the Guiding Principles for the reorganization:

• Organize for effectiveness, efficiency, and safety, not personalities
• No one loses a job or salary, and we reduce administrative overhead
• Role clarity and accountability
• No ghost promotions or demotions

The auditors met with leaders and employees in each department and asked them to document the responsibilities and functions of each position. They then compared those against the best practices of our peers. The auditors found that there were a lot of people doing hard work, but there are areas where we have omissions, duplications, and misalignments, and we need to adapt.

Based on interviews with ACC employees, the auditors created a roles and responsibilities matrix for the divisions to provide clarity and accountability. Everyone will have access to the full responsibility matrix in the next couple of weeks. 

Below are the changes happening across the Security, Safety, and Operations departments:

• The Community & Public Affairs Office will become the Community & Government Affairs Office. This team will be responsible for formalizing Government Relations responsibilities, will oversee our internal and external events functions under the Director of Strategic Events, and report directly to the Chancellor. 
• The Facilities & Construction and Campus Operations teams will merge under a new area called Facilities Management which will fall under our Finance & Administration area. This department will oversee the following:
  • Mechanical, Engineering & Plumbing Systems
  • Energy & Sustainability
  • Campus Planning & Construction
  • Building Management
• Regulatory Affairs as a function will go away and the team will oversee Safety & Emergency Management. It will focus on emergency, safety, and environmental management activities. Responsibility for fire, HVAC, and electricians will be transferred to Facilities Management. The team will report to the Executive Vice Chancellor of Finance & Administration.
• The Police Department will assume the responsibilities of parking regulation and enforcement with more of a focus on safety and risk management. The department will report to the EVC of Finance & Administration.

Additionally, to help flatten the organization and reduce administrative overhead, the following positions will be eliminated, added, or realigned to improve efficiency and effectiveness:

• The role of Executive Vice Chancellor of Operations & Public Affairs will not be filled when Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm retires from the position at the end of August.
• The role of Associate Vice Chancellor of Campus Operations, Quality Control & Project Management also will not be filled when Sharrion Jenkins retires at the end of July.
• A Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management will be hired, repurposing an open vice chancellor position. The position will report to the EVC of Finance & Administration.
• A Deputy Chief Financial Officer is also a repurposed position and will be responsible for assisting the EVC of Finance & Administration. Direct reports and functions include:
  • Risk Management & Insurance
  • Campus Budgets
  • Auxiliary Services, including Food Operations & Vendor Contracts, Duplication, Book Store, and Golf Course Operations

The changes will go into effect on September 1, 2024.

View the slides from Russell’s presentation HERE. 

What’s Next

The next audits will focus on Business Services—already in progress—and IT. Russell said that not every audit will produce reorganizations like the Security, Safety, and Operations audit has. 

Ultimately, all college operations will be reviewed. Later this year, the college will develop a multiyear plan to prioritize all operations in terms of timing. Findings from all audits and information about the process and plan will be posted on the Internal Audit web page.

“I have been doing arts and crafts for a LONG time. Since I’m so art-focused, I struggled to find a major that I felt would teach me what I wanted to learn while still opening me up for jobs in the future. I was afraid to fall into the starving artist stereotype. As a result, I had a rough time trying to find a college and a major. It’s taken me two years, two colleges, and three majors to find what’s right for me. Finally.”

For ACC graduate Genevieve B., pursuing a degree in architecture was about turning a favorite pastime into a career.

“I have always loved building houses in games such as Minecraft and the Sims 4. It is also a practical application of design that I think I could make a career out of.”

ACC offers two options for students looking to pursue architecture: the Associate of Applied Science degree for students seeking a workforce credential and direct job entry and the Associate of Science degree program. Genevieve completed the Associate of Science degree program, which focuses on creating a transfer pathway for those seeking a bachelor’s degree or higher. 

She is now taking the next steps to make that a reality as one of the first ACC Associate of Science in Architecture graduates. 

“The Architecture Program at ACC was incredible. The professors were not only helpful with learning the material but also helped me outside of class with my portfolio and recommendations.”

For Genevieve, one major roadblock to success in her program was finding the right balance and support system. However, finding the right balance and support system helped her persevere and even turn her weaknesses into strengths. 

“I had never been a math person, but Calculus 1 and 2 were required for my major. I decided to take both as 8-week courses in one semester to get them out of the way. What ended up happening was I got an incredible, unendingly patient professor, Lori Rosenthal. With her help, I discovered that I love calculus, and it changed how I thought about math.”

After completing her program in spring 2024, she was successfully accepted to the University of Texas at Austin’s School of Architecture. 

“I was accepted to multiple programs at the University of Colorado, Auburn, University of Houston, University of Texas San Antonio, and Texas Tech. UT is second only to Rice in architecture, and it happened to be the most affordable for me! So I felt the decision was pretty easy.”

Genevieve wants to make sure others looking to transfer know there is plenty of support to set them on the right path. 

“When I was going through transferring, I met with a transfer advisor every month, if not twice a month. I also had an architecture professor review and refine the portfolio that I needed for my applications. While it was certainly a lot of work, it was a lot less scary with everyone’s help. At ACC, there is help waiting for you. You just have to make the appointment.”

Once she finishes her degree at the University of Texas, Genevieve wants to become a residential architect. 

For more information on transferring, visit austincc.edu/transfer.For information on ACC’s Architecture Program, visit austincc.edu/architecture.

Fall Eco Conference Grant applications are now open for ACC students, faculty, and staff interested in attending the 2024 Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Conference for FREE. This year, the three-day sustainability conference takes place October 27-29, 2024, in Anaheim, California. 

Sponsored by ACC’s Energy & Sustainability Office, three credit-seeking students, one faculty member, and one full-time staff member will be selected for an all-expenses paid trip to attend the educational conference and network with professionals in the sustainability field. Travel expenses provided by ACC include the conference registration fee, group travel, lodging, and meals.

Apply for the Fall Eco Conference Grant HERE.

Grant applications are open through Wednesday, September 11, at noon.

Submitted applications will be evaluated by a selection committee. Grant recipients will be notified of their acceptance by Thursday, September 19, and will need to submit forms to confirm their attendance no later than Thursday, September 26, to avoid forfeiting their grant. 

Recipients will need travel approval from their teacher or supervisor for their absence.

To learn more about the conference, including sessions and content, visit aashe.org/conference.

If you have any questions about the Eco Conference Grant opportunity, email green@austincc.edu for more information. 

With the fall semester drawing near, the demand for classes has continued to increase. Right now, overall enrollment is up more than 20%. With more students enrolling, about 1,500 students are on waitlists. 

The college is working diligently to monitor patterns and adapt to meet students’ needs, including adding more course options where possible. ACC Online presents a flexible and effective alternative for students.

Read about some of the other ways the college is preparing for the enrollment increase.

ACC Online: A Flexible Solution

If you know a student who’s on a waiting list and looking for another option for their required and preferred courses, encourage them to check the online course schedule. 

Online courses offer a way to ensure that education fits seamlessly into their life, providing both flexibility and convenience. Unlike traditional classroom settings, online courses let our students attend classes, complete assignments, and participate in discussions on their schedules. This is particularly beneficial if they’re juggling work, family, or other commitments alongside their education.

The college offers four formats for online learning:

• Asynchronous – All instruction and services are provided online; students log into class at a time that’s most convenient for them. 
• Synchronous – Instruction is fully online with required online meetings during the specified days and times listed.
• Hybrid – Instruction and services are provided partly online and partly face-to-face. 
• HyFlex – Instruction is offered both online and on campus simultaneously, allowing students to attend any particular class in person or virtually.

There are still hundreds of online seats open for the fall semester. Classes begin Monday, August 26. 

For more information, visit austincc.edu/online.

Making the Most of Online Learning

For students considering online courses as a solution to the enrollment crunch, here are some tips you can share with them to help them get started:

• Assess Your Needs: Identify the courses you need and determine if they are available online through ACC Online.
• Research Options: Look into the various online courses and meet with your advisor to learn about your best options.
• Enroll Now: Don’t miss your chance. Once you find suitable courses, enroll soon to secure your spot.
• Stay Organized: Create a study schedule that fits your life and stick to it. Regularly track your progress to stay on top of your coursework.

You are probably aware of the Student Affairs Help Desk, but do you know about everything it does? Faculty and staff are encouraged to download this helpful one-pager detailing all the areas of support the Help Desk team covers. Physical copies are also available at any Campus Manager’s office. 

The Help Desk is dedicated to supporting our students and ensuring their transition to ACC is seamless. Our knowledgeable team is available to assist with a variety of student needs, including topics like: 

• Recruitment
• Enrollment
• Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Advising
• Student Accounting [Bill 2 Pay (B2P)]
• Technology-related issues 

The Help Desk serves as the first point of contact for students seeking assistance in all of these areas. 

Encourage students to reach out to the Help Desk with any questions they might have. Our friendly staff is available to assist students in both English and Spanish via live chat, email, or phone. 

Visit austincc.edu/help to learn more about us.

It’s course evaluation time—faculty’s opportunity each semester to learn from students. Students can provide honest, valuable feedback that can lead to improved teaching methods and course content. 

The college aims to increase the number of students who complete course evaluations. Last semester, approximately one-third of students (34.9%) completed a course evaluation. 

The main summer 2024 course evaluations are open from July 15 to 29. However, survey periods will vary for different sessions. Faculty and students are encouraged to check the Course Evaluation Calendar for specific dates.

Some tips for faculty to help increase course evaluation submission:

• Send a reminder encouraging your students to submit their anonymous course evaluation by the deadline. Also, students will be automatically entered into a drawing for an Amazon gift card after they submit their course evaluation.
• Share the ACC Student Course Evaluation web page that explains how to submit them: austincc.edu/submityourcourseevaluation
• Share this video with your students so they can hear from other students and faculty about why course evaluation is important.
• Make sure the course evaluation link is available in Blackboard’s left-side navigation menu. By default, the “Course Evaluation” link is added to all courses in Blackboard. If for any reason you don’t see it, here’s a video tutorial showing you how to bring the link back. 

Students can submit evaluations by either:

• Using the direct survey link emailed to their ACC address from the Faculty Evaluation Office. 
• Accessing Blackboard, clicking “Tools,” then selecting the “Course Evaluation” link.

Learn more and view the evaluation dates and deadlines on the Student Evaluation web page.

If you have more questions about course evaluations, visit the Course Evaluation FAQ page for faculty.

Being financially successful isn’t about having a huge paycheck. It’s about how you control the money you have, including the money you earn and the money you spend. ACC’s Student Money Management Office partners with University Federal Credit Union (UFCU) to offer tips, advice, and tools that can help students and employees learn about ways they can take control of their money. In this segment, UFCU shares ideas and tips to help you budget for a staycation. 

Budgeting for a Staycation

A Message from University Federal Credit Union

Let’s face it. We all need a vacation. But we don’t have to break the bank to do it. Instead, get much-needed R&R by taking a staycation, where you take a break from work and enjoy yourself at home. But even staycations cost some money, so it’s best to do a little planning to make sure your staycation stays within budget.

Search Free Things to Do in Your Area

Great ways to find local free or low-cost events are to check out a community calendar or local blog that specializes in free fun.

• Enjoy your public library (they loan movies as well as books) or local park.
• Go camping or have a picnic.
• Take a day trip to a nearby town or place of interest.
• Check out guide books for your area and be a tourist in your own city.

There even are apps that offer guided walking tours, famous stories for your area, or historical information.

Make the Most of Your Backyard

Your backyard and even your own home can be a treat when you call a time-out on work and chores and focus on spending time together or on the things that you love to do.

• Enjoy family activities, like backyard games (cornhole, anyone?), movie nights, game nights, scavenger hunts, or dance parties. Or create a play together or have family talent show.
• Unplug and indulge in quality time: have an at-home spa day, start a family book club, or take a walk down memory lane with the family scrapbook, old photos & home videos, or sharing family stories.
• Camp or have a picnic in your backyard or living room.
• Get moving with sports you can do in your neighborhood like biking, skating, badminton, croquet, kickball, or volleyball.
• Learn or practice new skills: explore a new craft, have an at-home science experiment day, or have a family bake-off.
• Go on a free or cheap virtual tour. Many museums, national parks, aquariums, zoos, and art galleries offer fun and engaging content online.

Raid Your Stash

Do you have a box full of party decorations, a closet full of craft and art supplies, a pantry of forgotten foods, or shelves of neglected games? Look through these hidden gems and see if they inspire you to spice up the fun. You can liven up the kitchen or living room for a theme night, or challenge yourself to a creative cooking night and use only the ingredients you have on hand — give yourself bonus points for using the most unusual items.

Budgeting for Your Staycation

A little bit of planning can help you keep your staycation costs down. First, determine the most you are willing to spend. Next, write down the cost of your plans for your staycation. Include the big things like lodging (for campsites or if you are indulging in a nearby hotel stay), activity costs, and food, and little things like gas money and supplies. Add up those costs and check the total — if you are over budget, see if you can whittle the costs down by repurposing what you have at home, borrowing supplies from friends, or finding deals and coupons. Also, see if shifting the timing of your staycation helps you take advantage of lower prices.

Once you know how much your staycation will cost, make a weekly or monthly savings goal, and determine how long it will take to reach that goal. For example, if your staycation will cost $100, and you think you can save $10 a week, plan to save for 10 weeks. Think through the little ways you can cut back to reach your savings goal — maybe you skip lattes while you are saving, or cut back on eating out, or take a break from an entertainment subscription service. Consider opening a special savings account just for your staycation if it helps you set that money aside. Once your staycation is over, you may want to keep that savings account going and put a little bit of money in it each month to be ready for your next vacation.

Always remember to prioritize your health and safety. Depending on where you travel, there might be guidelines you will want to be aware of if you do venture outside your front door. Consider these additional guidelines:

• Know your county’s current COVID-19 regulations, including mask requirements, social distancing guidelines, and limits on public gatherings.
• Look for outdoor fun. See if your favorite activity has an outdoor option.
• Find out how your local businesses are creatively serving customers while following COVID-19 guidelines. Many businesses have expanded delivery and curbside options and have practices in place to help their customers social distance and avoid overcrowding.
• If you plan to connect with family and friends outside of your household, have conversations first about how you will all respect COVID-19 safety guidelines while enjoying time together. Be flexible, and be ready to alter your plans for everyone’s safety.

Want to learn more?

Connect with ACC’s Student Money Management team to access tools designed to support you or to find a schedule of events and workshops that can help you with your personal finance questions. Want more from UFCU? Visit your local branch anytime to chat with a Personal Financial Representative.

Employees have been quick to respond to the ACC Board of Trustees’ approval of a new benefit that grants free tuition at ACC for child dependents. To date, more than 100 employees have submitted applications for the program.

Key points to know:

• Eligibility: The benefit is available to staff, faculty, and adjunct faculty who have been employed at ACC for six months or more in one of these classifications. Time spent as an hourly employee does not count toward the six-month eligibility requirement. Currently, hourly and temporary employees are not eligible for this benefit.
• Age Limit: Students using this benefit must be under 26 years old on the first day of class.
• Coverage: The benefit covers tuition but does not include books and some fees such as lab and course fees. Out-of-district fees are waived under this program.
• Application and Management: A full list of eligible dependents is available on this Google application form. The program will be managed similarly to other voucher programs at ACC. Until it is integrated into the existing voucher system, the Google Form will be used to determine eligibility.
• Registration: Dependents are encouraged to register for classes as soon as possible. The first registration deadline for fall is Sunday, August 25. Classes begin Monday, August 26. There is no limit on the number of hours they can take or the number of eligible dependents per family.

A Free Tuition for Employee Dependents web page, which includes a frequently asked questions section, has been added to the Human Resources website. Virtual information sessions will be offered soon.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to get a college education, and our employees deserve support wherever we can offer it,” says HR Vice Chancellor Kelly Torrico. “We’re proud to see ACC leading the way in contributing to the success of our region’s young scholars and their families.”

For more information, visit the Human Resources website.

Join Austin Community College District (ACC) in celebrating the achievements of Executive Vice Chancellor of Operations & Public Affairs Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm upon her retirement. 

Retirement Celebration

Date: Monday, August 19
Time: 5–7:30 p.m. 
Location: ACC Highland Campus, Building 2000, “Bridges to Success Mural”
RSVP HERE

Dr. Malcolm will retire after 12 years of service to the College and Central Texas community. Her last day with the College will be August 31.

She joined ACC in September 2012 and led the development and growth of the College’s government and public affairs programs and oversaw safety and operations initiatives. She announced her plans to retire in February 2024. Read our interview with Dr. Malcolm where she discusses the highlights of her career at ACC and her plans for retirement HERE.

This campus reception will offer Riverbat faculty, staff, students, and invited guests from the community an opportunity to wish Dr. Malcolm farewell. 

Leave a message for Dr. Malcolm in our Padlet wall below.

Come on down! Austin Community College District (ACC) student, Tavion, is coming back to Austin in a brand-new car after winning the final showcase on “The Price is Right.” He beat out a University of Texas at Austin student to win the big prize!

Check out the video of his journey from getting on stage, to spinning the big wheel, and winning it all.

This week is college week on the long-running game show. Tavion even took the time to give a shoutout to his favorite ACC Mathematics professor, Kimberley Kelton. 

Austin Community College District (ACC) works to remove barriers for prospective students looking to start in fall 2024. The College offers FREE Texas Success Initiative (TSI) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) testing through August 31. 

The TSI is a state-required assessment of reading, writing, and math skills that helps determine which courses you are eligible to enroll in. Not completing this requirement is one of the top reasons students receive an incomplete on their applications. 

The ESOL assessment includes a written exam, computer test, and oral interview to measure your English reading, writing, listening, and speaking levels. 

Prospective students can take advantage of the opportunity by visiting their nearest Testing Center. No appointment is necessary, but new students must submit their application to qualify. By completing the TSI by August 31, students will be eligible to get started this fall.

Getting Ready for the TSI Assessment

ACC provides resources to help students prepare for the TSI Assessment:

• Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA): Required for all incoming college students in Texas before taking the TSI Assessment. This online program helps students understand the importance of the TSI and provides practice questions.
• Additional Prep Resources: ACC offers information on additional resources for test preparation.

Getting Ready for the ESOL Assessment

The first step is to register for an oral interview appointment. Once this is complete, students can go to a testing center. Finally, they can register for an ESOL advising appointment.

For more information and to access TSI Assessment Preparation options, visit austincc.edu/tsi.

ACC’s Student Advocacy Center (SAC) collected $2,368 and 30 pieces of luggage throughout May for the 2024 Foster Care Luggage Drive. 

All funds and donated items go directly to youth currently in foster care to provide them with a dignified way to carry their belongings when they leave their foster residences. This year, approximately 60 foster youth from the Austin area are expected to graduate. 

The Student Advocacy Center would like to thank all faculty and staff who participated in this year’s Foster Care Luggage Drive. The center received luggage from nearly all campuses, as well as monetary donations from nearly 50 ACC staff members.

The donations were delivered to the Department of Family & Protective Services in June.

ACC employees with a family member attending ACC are invited to join the next ACC Employee Parent/Family Group meeting. Employees with family members attending in the fall are welcome as well.

More than two dozen employees have joined the new ACC Employee Parent/Family Group so far to connect with colleagues in a similar situation to share and receive wisdom and advice. 

ACC Employee Parent/Family Group July Meeting
Date: Wednesday, July 24
Time: 12-1 p.m. 
Location: Highland Campus Welcome Center and via Zoom

Register for an invite HERE.

The July meeting will feature Tracy Partin, Recreational Sports & Athletics Programs Manager, to speak about what Recreational Sports and Athletics is offering ACC students this fall.

Learn more about Parent and Family Engagement at austincc.edu/families or contact Theresa Glenn at Tglenn2@austincc.edu.

The Talk About It ACC program, formerly Bae-B-Safe, aims to improve the well-being of young people through equitable access to sexual and reproductive health education and healthcare resources on and off campus.

A collaboration between ACC and Talk About It Campus Conversations, the program hosts ongoing workshops that allow attendees to learn about their health and earn money. The conversations are part of the college’s participation in a nationally grant-funded program called Talk About It. Below is information about the unique programs students and employees can attend. 

SHARP
These 3.5- to 4-hour workshops provide more in-depth and interactive discussions on STI/HIV transmission, how to reduce the risk of transmission, contraception, goal setting, effective communication, and healthy relationships. Participants receive a $75 gift card upon completion.

Thursday, July 18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hays Campus | Register

Friday, August 9, Part 1: 10 a.m. – Noon & Part 2: 1 – 3 p.m. | Zoom | Register

Plan A
Plan A is a 23-minute educational entertainment video. Plan A discusses birth control including abstinence, condom use and negotiation skills, STI/HIV risks and testing, emergency contraception, pregnancy prevention, and healthy communication with partners and healthcare providers. Participants receive a $15 gift card upon completion.

Tuesday, July 23, 3 – 4:15 p.m. | Highland Campus | Register

Tuesday, August 6, 2 – 3:15 p.m. | Zoom | Register

Seventeen Days
These 45-minute to 1.5-hour workshops provide web-based individual self-paced information on STI/HIV transmission, how to reduce the risk of transmission, and effective communication. Participants receive a $25 gift card upon completion.

Seventeen Days is done at any available time for the student. Complete the interest form to be contacted by one of our health educators with instructions on how to log in and get started.

While the target age range is 18-29, anyone is welcome to learn regardless of age. 

In addition to educational workshops, Talk About It ACC connects students with resources and healthcare providers they may need.

Talk About It ACC also will provide STI testing in partnership with Vivent Health and the college’s Student Life teams on the Hays, Highland, and Riverside campuses during the fall semester. Future events are expected. 

To learn more, visit the Talk About It ACC web page.