Austin-Austin Community College President Dr. Richard Fonté has been elected to the American Association of Community Colleges Board of Directors to serve a three-year term. A 32-member Board of Directors currently governs the Association.

“We are excited to have Dr. Fonté represent the College on a national level,” said Dr. Lillian Davis, ACC board chair. “With 38 of the 50 states’ community colleges experiencing funding problems, it is critical that we have a collective voice to influence legislators when it comes to higher education funding.”

During his term, Dr. Fonté will have the opportunity to address student financial aid issues, as well as the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and the Carl Perkins Vocational Education Act.

The American Association of Community Colleges is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The Association represents more than 1,100 associate degree-granting institutions and some 10 million students. Formed in 1920, AACC is a national voice for community colleges, which marked its 100th year of service to the nation in 2001. AACC is leading the celebration of the colleges as they provide learning opportunities to their students and communities and the nation.