Austin Community College (ACC) celebrated a record number of graduates at fall commencement Friday, December 13.

The ceremony recognized 3,278 students who completed ACC's associate degree, certificate, or high school equivalency programs for the 2019 summer and fall semesters.

1,518 summer graduates and 1,870 fall candidates were invited to attend the ceremony, including 23 RN-to-BSN students who completed ACC's first bachelor's degree program this summer.

"What's happening here is transformative. It's because of the education and support our students receive at ACC, that I know they are off to do great things in our community," says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. "While I am extremely proud of our students who accomplish their academic goals, I am also proud of our faculty and staff who have made intentional efforts and worked tirelessly to ensure our students' success."

"Over the last several years we have been on a journey to continuously reimagine and reinvent how we operate to ensure equitable student success outcomes for all our students. The results of embracing Guided Pathways are beginning to clearly show," says Dr. Guillermo "Willie" Martinez, ACC Student Affairs interim vice president. "In five years we have doubled the number of ACC graduates."

According to Martinez, the number of summer and fall graduates has increased 129 and 108 percent respectively over the last five years.

Combined with the transfer rate, the college is No. 1 in the state among large community college peers in Texas. Success rates are expected to continue climbing with the implementation of Guided Pathways.

The college is on target to reach its goal of increasing completions from approximately 8,500 in 2018 to 15,000 by 2030.

For more information about fall commencement or to watch a recording of the ceremony, visit austincc.edu/commencement.