Austin Community College District (ACC) celebrates the more than 3,500 students invited to participate in its 2022 fall commencement ceremony. ACC’s celebration honors those who have completed an associate degree, workforce certificate, or high school equivalency program. 

Date: Thursday, December 8
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, 2100 Avenue of the Stars

“This graduation ceremony marks a changed life and new future for these Riverbats. It is a major milestone. Whether they choose to continue their education or enter a high-demand career, I am so excited for their next steps,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Richard Rhodes. “I couldn’t be more proud of the ACC Riverbat family. It’s a team effort to see every part of the institution come together with student success at the forefront of their minds. We celebrate this accomplishment together.”

The fall ceremony recognizes graduates from the summer and fall semesters. The ceremony includes a tribute to graduating veterans, who are recognized with medallions in appreciation of their service.

“Because of ACC, I was able to create this new life for myself. I was a single mom, terrified of starting college. Not only was it the peak of COVID-19, but it was also the darkest point of my life,” says Adriana Calixto, ACC graduate. “One of my professors recommended I take ACC counseling, and I got the help I needed. As I get closer to graduating, I see how much I’ve grown. I will forever be so incredibly grateful for ACC. I could not have done this without the support of my professors.” 

Speakers include ACC Chancellor Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC Board of Trustees Chair Nan McRaven, the ACC Student Government Association president, and the fall 2022 Chancellor's Student Achievement Award recipient. 

This year's commencement speaker is Afua Bruce. Bruce is the principal of the ANB Advisory Group LLC, a consulting firm that supports organizations developing, implementing, or funding responsible data and technology. She previously served as Chief Program Officer at DataKind and the Executive Director of the White House’s National Science and Technology Council. Bruce is a published author, her newest book The Tech That Comes Next: How Changemakers, Technologists, and Philanthropists can Build an Equitable World, describes how technology can advance equity.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/commencement.