Adult Education students Leta Herklotz, left, and Laura Venegas participate in College for a Day.

“I loved it,” says Herkoltz. “I got to visit with the instructors and ask questions. College for a Day gave me confirmation that nursing is the right field for me.”

ACC’s Adult Education Division, which teaches English as a Second Language, basic literacy, and GED classes, held its fifth College for a Day in November. The event immersed 120 students in academic and workforce programs including Nursing, ACC’s Fire Training Academy, Electronics and Advanced Technologies, and the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, among others. In addition, students learned about support services and met former Adult Education students who have gone on to college.

“It’s important for our Adult Education students to see people just like themselves who have successfully made that transition,” says David Borden, executive director of Adult Education. “It gives them the opportunity to visualize how they could go to college, too. It is very motivating.”

Participants also received advice and encouragement from Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO, and Guadalupe Sosa, a member of ACC’s Board of Trustees.

Dr. Rhodes speaks to College for a Day participants.

“It was inspiring to find out Trustee Sosa earned her GED, just like I did,” says Herkoltz. “Listening to Trustee Sosa and Dr. Rhodes really gave us the sense that we’re part of the college. I think that integration is one reason ACC’s Adult Education is so successful.”

Adult Education has advisors who help students move to college credit programs, and College for a Day is among a number of initiatives to encourage that shift. Those efforts are paying off; nearly half of ACC Adult Education students transition to college, compared with an average 20 percent statewide and 30 percent nationally.

“We’re proud of the accomplishments of our Adult Education students and eager to see them continue on to higher education,” says Dr. Rhodes.

Herklotz plans to start credit classes at ACC in January, complete her associate degree in nursing, and then go on to earn a bachelor’s degree.

“College for a Day made me feel like I was already a nursing student,” she says. “It’s an excellent program and something all Adult Education students should do.”

Learn about Adult Education at ACC at austincc.edu/abe. College for a Day is part of ACC’s Student Success Initiative.