Did you know that there are more Spanish speakers in the U.S. than Canadians in Canada? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 41 million Spanish speakers in the U.S., with almost 8 million Spanish speakers in Texas alone.
Austin Community College District (ACC) Continuing Education Division works to support the growing need for interpreters and translators. Registration is now open for the 2024-25 cohort of the Translation and Interpreting Program. It offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in translation and interpreting. The noncredit, three-semester online certificate program provides three specialized tracks: Translation, Community and Medical Interpreting, and Court Interpreting.
The U.S.’s diverse population, international trade expansion, and the digital age fuel a strong demand for translators and interpreters. The Department of Labor forecasts a 24% growth in this field by 2032, with a median annual wage of $57,090 in May 2023. This demand spans education, healthcare, legal, and business sectors.
The program offers opportunities for practical experience, with students volunteering as interpreters at various community events and clinics such as the Texas School for the Blind, Sacred Heart Community Clinic, Foundation Communities Prosper Centers, and ACC’s Ascender to College Mini Majors Day.
For more information, visit https://continue.austincc.edu/register or https://continue.austincc.edu/translation.
Registering for classes can feel overwhelming, but Austin Community College District (ACC) remains committed to providing a sense of belonging for all students. The college will host Registration Week beginning Monday, May 13, to empower students with the support to make informed decisions about their academic path.
During this districtwide event, students can receive comprehensive support, including activities and personalized one-on-one guidance from ACC staff. Registration Week offers helpful and quick access to ACC staff to answer questions about fall registration, applying, and paying for college.
The week culminates with special, full-access registration rallies. There are virtual and in-person options.
Virtual Registration RallyFollowing Registration Week, ACC will host ongoing support for students through Saturday Registration Rallies and at Registration Stations on campus.
Registration StationsRegistration Stations will be at the ACCelerators on the ACC Highland, Round Rock, and San Gabriel campuses. Staff will be ready to assist ACC students in scheduling in-person or virtual appointments to register for classes. Stop by an ACCelerator Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Students can also book a virtual session for support.
Saturday Registration RalliesOngoing support is available throughout the summer semester. The college hosts in-person registration rallies once a month at the Hays, Highland, and Round Rock campuses.
For more information, visit austincc.edu/regsupport.
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 ProgramThe 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:
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 HuangTao 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 MattersAccording 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:
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 DifferenceLorenzo 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 UniversitySapphire 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 HardestAfter 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 DirectorOne 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 youOne 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 ProcessLowery-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 LeadershipMore 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 AuditsThe 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 IndustryWith 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 BustingQ: 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.