This year, three Austin Community College District (ACC) Honors Program students have been selected to attend the 2024 Summer Scholars Program at the Chautauqua Institute in New York. Liana Lopez, Jessica Ortiz, and Benjamin Kajs are three of 12 students selected from different states and backgrounds.
The Summer Scholars Program is an all-expenses-paid, weeklong educational, cultural, and social capital enrichment experience. Throughout the week, participants will attend lectures, visit art exhibits, see performances, participate in post-lecture dialogues, receive specialized training, and more.
“I’m most looking forward to experiencing exposure to social and intellectual diversity. Professionals from various backgrounds and occupations will be together to share their knowledge and perspectives—I can’t wait to absorb every second of my time there. This program will truly be life-changing for me and, without a doubt, for many other students as well,” says Benjamin, ACC English student.
“I am most excited to network with professionals in my field of interest and to connect with my fellow summer scholars!” says Liana, ACC Creative Writing student.
The program is open to Honors students nationwide. At ACC, it is only open to members of the Honors Program. Students must take at least one Honors course to be eligible to apply.
Involvement in extracurricular activities was one of several requirements for the Summer Scholars Program and can give students a leg up when it comes to building their resume and pursuing leadership opportunities.
Visit austincc.edu/honors to learn more.
Austin Community College District (ACC) has been recognized by Forbes as a 2024 Best Employer for Diversity and one of America’s Best Midsize Employers. These prestigious awards are presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.
The rankings were determined through an independent survey from a sample of over 170,000 U.S.-based employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people within the U.S.
2024 Best Employers for DiversityThe 2024 Best Employers for Diversity were identified in April. ACC ranked 17th among educational institutions nationwide and 170th among the more than 1,300 companies that were researched and assessed for the list.
The evaluation was based on three different criteria:
This is ACC’s first year on this list. See the other companies ranked on the full 2024 Best Employers for Diversity list.
America’s Best Midsize Employers 2024Forbes also recognized ACC as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers for 2024 in February. ACC ranked 81st among 400 organizations nationwide with 1,000 to 5,000 employees and 19th among educational institutions.
This year, hundreds of midsize organizations with 1,000 to 5,000 employees were ranked according to their dedication to company culture based on employee survey feedback.
Survey respondents evaluated employers based on a range of criteria, including work-life balance, compensation, gender pay equity, training programs, opportunities for career advancement, diversity, and health benefits. They also indicated their likelihood to recommend their employer and evaluated other companies in their industry.
ACC previously received this award in 2016. See the other companies ranked on the full America’s Best Midsize Employers 2024 list.
“What I think makes ACC a great place to work, no matter where or how we serve, is that we all go home at the end of the day knowing that we brought positive change to a student’s life that day,” says Kelly Torrico, ACC Vice Chancellor of Human Resources. “We take pride in protecting this place of joy by showing compassion at every opportunity, and courage when it counts the most. What an honor to be a Riverbat!”
ACC student Gillian Renner created the winning design for the 12th annual Eco Bag Design Contest. The 2024 design is now available for purchase online and will be displayed on each campus for one year.
“I was inspired to showcase native Texas species on the threatened and endangered lists provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. There were so much more than I had expected, I resolved to fit as many as I could,” says Gillian. “Finding ways to make our lives more sustainable is so important because not only does it help us out in the long run, but it also helps ensure that our unique native plants and animals live and thrive. I am so happy to have won the EcoBag design contest this year. Creating art for a bigger cause inspires me to keep creating.”
Gillian, who is pursuing her English degree, says the original design actually listed all the native species pictured, but she had to edit it after the list became too long.
More than 1,000 Riverbats voted in the design contest this year, helping to select the winning art.
This year’s theme was “Planet v. Plastic.” Gillian’s design features endangered species native to Texas due to loss of habitat or pollution, such as plastic.
The second-place design winner was Donna Toutin.
The contest is sponsored by ACC’s Office of Energy & Sustainability. For more information about the office and ACC’s environmental efforts, visit austincc.edu/sustainability.
To order a bag, click here.
You’re invited to view the work of our service-learning students at the Austin Community College District (ACC) Service-Learning Student Showcase. The event will be held on Wednesday, May 1, at the ACC Highland Campus.
Service-learning connects students with opportunities to engage in real-world experiences linked to their coursework. This showcase celebrates student collaborations with professors, classmates, and community partners over the semester. The event impacts the sense of belonging for our students, which is crucial to retention and completion.
The event is open to the entire ACC community. RSVP is required for those who wish to attend this event.
ACC Service-Learning Student ShowcaseDate: Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: ACC Highland Campus, Building 2000, Room 1550
RSVP Here
About the Keynote Speaker | Betsy Kirkpatrick, RN, CIC
Since 2015, Kirkpatrick has served as Senior RN at Austin Public Health Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit. Before joining Austin Public Health, she was employed at St. David’s Medical Center for 33 years.
Kirkpatrick is a proud graduate of ACC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program (2009-2010). She previously graduated from ACC’s Vocational Nursing Program (1975-1976).
For more information, visit the ACC Service-Learning website. For any questions, please email showcase@austincc.edu.
At Austin Community College District (ACC), an estimated 28% of our student population is also parents. Support for this group is critical and can impact their success on campus and within their family.
ACC faculty and staff are invited to join Kristen Hennesey, a current nursing student, parent, and Family U Fellow, for the Balancing Act: Student Parents in Higher Education workshop. This session is designed to illuminate the student-parent experience, identify common struggles and barriers, clarify institutional and federal policies, and offer ideas for building an inclusive environment for all ACC student parents.
Balancing Act: Student Parents in Higher Education WorkshopDate: Friday, May 10
Time: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Rm 1550
Hosted by the Student Advocacy Center, the special workshop offers both in-person and virtual options. For more information and to RSVP, please fill out this form.
Early voting for May local elections in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, and Lee Counties starts Monday, April 22, and runs through Tuesday, April 30. Election Day is Saturday, May 4.
ACC students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to vote. Make your plan to vote today by visiting the ACC Votes website, where you can find information about what is on your ballot and polling locations in your area.
Employees may take up to two hours of administrative leave to do so and must work with their supervisor ahead of time to schedule the time off needed.
ACC Administrative Rule 6.09.005 | Non Accrued Paid LeaveVII. Voting Leave
Contact Cassie Fitzgerald at sarah.fitzgerald@austincc.edu or (512) 223-7071 if you have questions or need any assistance.
Austin Community College District (ACC) invites students, employees, and the community to Take Back the Night. Every year, the college recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month through Take Back the Night (TBTN), a worldwide movement that started in the 1970s to shatter the silence on sexual assault and domestic violence.
ACC’s Take Back the NightDate: Tuesday, April 30
Time: 2 – 4 p.m.
Location: ACC Highland Campus, Building 4000, Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Center
TBTN will provide participants the opportunity to listen to survivor stories; share their experience, if they choose; learn about available resources; and participate in a trauma-informed mindfulness exercise facilitated by YWCA of Greater Austin.
The event is sponsored by ACC’s Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance and ACC’s Mental Health Counseling team.
If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic violence or sexual assault, you can reach out to the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance. Below are additional resources available to students and employees.
Austin Community College District ResourcesSAFE Austin
Phone: 512-267-7233
Text Line: 737-888-7233
Chat: safeaustin.org/chat
*Se habla Español, deaf, deaf-blind, deaf-disabled, and hard of hearing assistance available.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: 1-800-799-7233
Text: “START” to 88788
Chat: thehotline.org
*Se habla Español
Visit the Title IX Awareness Programs website to learn more about Take Back the Night and other programs aimed to bring awareness to sexual assault and domestic violence.
Agreement eliminates barriers and saves students time and money to complete degree
Austin Community College District (ACC) and Texas State University (TXST) are creating new ways for students to transfer from community college to a four-year university.
Starting this fall, ACC and Texas State will launch the Bats to Cats program — a formal agreement was signed Thursday, April 18, at the ACC Round Rock Campus.
“A majority of our students come to ACC with the intent to transfer, but the process can be frustrating because it isn’t always seamless. Students can lose credits or have to take different classes once they transfer. None of us want that for our students. This collaboration between ACC and Texas State is doing something big to remove some major barriers. These kinds of partnerships change lives,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “Getting here took a lot of time, energy, and communication. I am thankful for all the work and people who made this partnership possible. By allowing ACC students to receive guaranteed admission to Texas State, they can save time and money, and find a way to a family-sustaining wage.”
The Bats to Cats program comes approximately two years after the launch of the Transfer Student Success and Equity Intensive. The intensive offered an opportunity for both institutions to examine the biggest barriers in transfer and develop solutions.
Bats to Cats was specifically designed to increase the number of transfer students, increase student belonging, and save students time and money. While about 60% of ACC students report that they intend to transfer to a four-year university, only 25% actually achieve this goal within three years.
“Texas State University is proud to partner with ACC on the Bats to Cats program, and we look forward to the difference it will make in so many lives,” says TXST President Kelly Damphousse. “As the product of a community college myself, I was drawn to this initiative because TXST wants to be part of the solution to build a direct, seamless, affordable, and efficient pathway from community college to a four-year university. Bats to Cats is a win-win for students and for Texas, as it increases the number of highly skilled and career-ready professionals entering the workforce.”
Bats to Cats At A GlanceThe new transfer program provides a clear path for guaranteed admission so students can start at ACC and get to Texas State. Eligible students may apply for the program beginning in fall 2024 with the intention of transferring to TXST in summer 2025, fall 2025, and other future terms.
Students in Bats to Cats benefit from a smooth transfer process. ACC sends transcripts to TXST automatically each semester. TXST counselors ensure eligibility and offer support. The program provides clear transfer guidelines to maximize credit transfer. Participants gain automatic TXST admission for their chosen semester, facilitating early access to advising and registration.
“This is a full circle moment for me. I couldn’t afford university right out of high school, so I wanted to go to the best community college I could to prepare me and enrolled at ACC. Education is an investment. Transferring is a testament to resilience. Transfer students are determined to continue our education, regardless of challenges in our lives. We should celebrate them and the diversity they bring to the table and make the transition as seamless as possible,” says Crispina Harris, ACC Transfer Student to Texas State. “What is hard about being a transfer student, you are forced to be comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. We don’t get the freshman experiences others who go straight to university get. Having a program like this lets you build those relationships you might miss as a transfer student.”
The Need for Guaranteed Admissions ProgramsAbout 36% of ACC students transfer yearly to work toward their four-year degree. TXST remains the most popular choice for ACC students. According to college data, about 12% of ACC students transfer to Texas State — that’s almost double the number of students who choose the University of Texas at Austin.
What It Means for StudentsStudents can receive targeted and personalized support to help them start strong, enroll full-time, meet their basic needs, and complete what they started. The program can save students time and money.
For more information, visit austincc.edu/transfer.
In response to the student body’s feedback, Austin Community College (ACC) launches a new resource tailored exclusively for students. ACC’s new Student InfoHub is a news platform that keeps students informed, engaged, and connected, crafted with the student experience in mind.
The ACC Student InfoHub community hub is designed to empower and inform students.
Here’s what students can expect:
Regular Updates: Encourage students to bookmark the page and make the Student InfoHub their go-to destination for news about college initiatives, leadership decisions, and updates from the Board of Trustees. The platform is regularly updated to ensure students are always in the know.
Stay Updated: Stay in the loop with the latest news and developments directly affecting students. Whether it’s big decisions, key dates, campus events, workshops, performances, or exhibits, find everything happening at ACC.
Get Involved: Students can find ways to make their mark beyond the classroom. Discover opportunities to engage with the college community, from clubs and organizations to volunteer programs.
Meet Your Peers: The Student InfoHub celebrates the diverse achievements and stories of students across the district. Read about students making waves at ACC.
Explore Visual Stories: Students can find their community through an ACC experience with photo slideshows showcasing student life, activities, and events from across the district.
The Student Voice Matters: The Student InfoHub provides a platform for students to share thoughts and suggestions. Their input helps shape the content and direction of the platform.
The college also will continue to share resources and academic needs with students through the Riverbat Echo Newsletter and the Current Student webpage.
Students will continue to have direct access to all the support services and resources they’re used to finding on the ACC Student Page and are encouraged to subscribe to the weekly Riverbat Echo newsletter for tips, advice, and friendly reminders.
Bookmark and check out the latest news at austincc.edu/studentinfohub.
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 March 2024.
Elgin Campus
Cassidy Reid
Theresa Zelasko
Eastview Campus
Sean Loraas
Highland Business Center
Marc Jimenez
Miles Stark
Hays Campus
Isiah “Ike” Edwards
Highland Campus
Melissa Dugan
Charlene Knight
Amber Orr
Marilee Walker
Northridge Campus
Stephanie Ruiz
Riverside Campus
Bryna Hoang
James Loomis
Service Center
Belinda Alvarado
Dennis Kemper
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.
Participants will learn the best practices for transformational leadership
Two Austin Community College District (ACC) leaders were selected by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program for the 2024-25 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship. 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 a 10-month leadership 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.
“Working with the Aspen Institute Colleague Excellence Program has been central to my leadership development in the past decade. The training and skills they provide are critical to providing the skills needed for the continued success of our students,” says Dr. Lowery-Hart. “I am so proud of both Dr. Groves and Dr. Gonzalez. I look forward to working with them throughout their fellowship and sharing the lessons I have learned to help shape them as the wonderful leaders I know they will be.”
Through lessons learned from years of research, the Aspen fellowship aims to identify and train the next leaders in higher education, guiding institutions toward greater levels of student success and equity. Many sitting leaders are expected to retire in the next decade, creating vacancies. The fellowship will train select leaders with the skills and knowledge to achieve better student outcomes.
“With so many community college presidents taking or nearing retirement, Aspen has a heightened sense of urgency to develop new leaders who are committed to systemic change,” says Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “Community colleges have a unique opportunity to advance the talent communities need and enable the economic mobility that draws so many students to higher education. I am confident that these fellows can realize that promise—and in turn, advance the entire field—by taking the lessons from the highest performing colleges and preparing to bring those lessons to their first presidencies.”
Rising Presidents Fellows aspire to enter a college presidency within five years of completing the fellowship. As fellows, they join a network of over 350 forward-thinking peers—175 of whom are sitting college presidents—who are applying concrete, grounded, and innovative strategies to meet student success challenges in their colleges.
Fellows were selected through a competitive process. Aspen Presidential Fellows represent the next generation of college leadership: this incoming class of Aspen Rising Presidents Fellows is 58 percent women, and 55 percent are people of color. The institutions they represent are diverse, located in 20 states, from small rural to large urban campuses.
ACC has a long history of leadership being selected for this prestigious program. ACC Vice Chancellor of Instruction Dr. Gaye Lynn Scott, ACC Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness & Grant Development Dr. Mary Harris, and Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management Dr. Dorado Kinney have all participated in the fellowship.
The Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship is made possible by the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Burton Family Foundation, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the College Futures Foundation, the Joyce Foundation, and JPMorgan Chase.
For bios and photos of all 39 leaders, visit highered.aspeninstitute.org/meet-the-rising-presidents-fellows.
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, celebrated annually in May, is a time to honor and recognize the cultural heritage, contributions, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
In 2024, Austin Community College District (ACC) marks the occasion with several events hosted by the college’s AAPI Cultural Center to provide opportunities for exploring AAPI-themed topics and interests. Participants can enjoy a traditional Chinese Gongfu Cha “tea ceremony;” learn about Go, one of the oldest strategy games in the world; and explore how to foster healthy relationships.
2024 ACC AAPI Heritage Month EventsNature Trail Cleanup & Zero-Waste Lunch
Date: Friday, April 26
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: ACC Northridge, Portable Building 4
RSVP HERE
Healthy Relationships: AFSSA Workshop & Lunch
Date: Wednesday, May 1
Time: 12-1 p.m.
Location: ACC Highland, Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Center, Building 4000
RSVP HERE
Gongfu Cha Tea Demonstration
Date: Friday, May 10
Time: 12-1 p.m.
Location: ACC Highland, Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Center, Building 4000
RSVP HERE
Go Game Workshop
Date: Friday, May 31
Time: 12-1 p.m.
Location: ACC Northridge, Portable Building 4
RSVP HERE
For more details, visit the AAPI Heritage Month webpage.
ACC Talks AAPI Heritage MonthWe are looking to interview ACC faculty and staff of Asian American or Pacific Islander heritage for our annual AAPI spotlight series. If you would like to participate or nominate someone, email victoria.garza@austincc.edu.
From ACC Human Resources’ HappyHR Newsletter
ACC’s Human Resources department continues to grow and is excited to announce a significant evolution in how we serve our community. With a team of 32 dedicated professionals, we’ve been diligently supporting 6,000 or so staff and faculty members from our office at the Highland Campus. However, recognizing the importance of direct engagement, we’re introducing a transformative approach to HR connectivity.
To ensure a more personalized and responsive service, we’ve appointed three accomplished HR experts to serve as ACC’s new Business Partners. These individuals will be tasked with regularly visiting designated campuses, fostering direct interactions, and addressing your HR inquiries effectively. By enhancing our understanding of the employee journey, we aim to elevate the overall experience for everyone at ACC.
We’re thrilled to welcome Donald Jackson, Aly Wang, and Erica Breedlove as ACC’s inaugural HR Business Partners.
In addition to directly assisting staff and faculty, our business partners will serve as strategic advisors to executive vice chancellors and vice chancellors. Their responsibilities will encompass a range of crucial HR functions, including:
Currently, they are working on refining their operational plans and collaborating with ACC leadership to ensure seamless integration. In the coming weeks, we’ll provide more details about their backgrounds, campus assignments, and how you can connect with them.
Stay tuned for an upcoming virtual session where you can get to know Donald, Aly, and Erica better. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to them via hrsupport@austincc.edu.
Together, let’s embark on this journey of enhanced HR support and engagement at ACC!
ACC’s Office of Institutional Research & Analytics (OIRA) kicked off the Data Deep Dive series on Tuesday, April 9. The first webinar in the series discussed ACC’s North Star — a 70 percent student completion rate by 2030.
More than 400 employees joined the webinar and asked over 100 questions in the live Q&A.
About the North StarAs part of ACC’s new Theory of Change, the college aims to reach a 70 percent completion rate by 2030 — our new North Star. The college’s current completion rate is 46 percent. The figure represents completions for first-time-in-college (FTIC) students who graduate, complete an award, or transfer to another institution of higher education within three years.
Some of the key takeaways shared during the session include:
You can click here to view more details from the webinar or to watch the recording.
OIRA will continue its Deep Dive series over the coming weeks.
Visit oira.austincc.edu/ds/data-deep-dive for more information on the sessions and to find links to join or watch recordings. Attendees can receive professional development credit for attending.