The ACC Fashion Incubator was named a 2019 Innovation of the Year by the League for Innovation in the Community College.

The League's Innovation of the Year Award was devised as a way to recognize significant innovations at Board and Alliance member colleges.

"These innovations reflect capstone achievements and the continuing renewal of the spirit of innovation and experimentation upon which the League was founded," explains the League. "The award honors faculty, staff, and administrators who have created and implemented innovative programs, practices, partnerships, policies, and activities that improve the institution's ability to serve students and the community."

The ACC Fashion Incubator celebrated its grand opening spring 2019. The facility is a first of its kind in Central Texas and provides industry experience for students and advanced production space for designers.

"It's an honor to be recognized among the best in the nation for the innovative work that's happening here," says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. "It's about the collaboration. With our partners, we're able to evolve the way students learn and build a stronger workforce in Austin's rapidly growing fashion industry."

Developed in partnership with the City of Austin, the 7,500-square-foot facility features the full digital end-to-end solution from Gerber Technology available to both its designers-in-residence and to students in ACC's certificate and credit programs in Fashion Design, Technical Design, and Fashion Entrepreneurship.

"It's an incredible environment for our students," says Nina Means, ACC Fashion Incubator director. "The technology here is among the most advanced equipment and software available in the industry. Working with this equipment and side-by-side with designers, our students are gaining knowledge and experience that will take them far in their careers."

To learn more about the ACC Fashion Incubator, visit austincc.edu/fashionincubator. To explore ACC's fashion programs, visit austincc.edu/fashion.