FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I contribute to ACCENT?

Become an ACCENT member – If you’re interested in being a volunteer this semester, we may just have an opening for you! Please email [email protected] with your interest. We hire semesterly.

Submit a story idea – If you have a story idea for ACCENT, please email [email protected]. ACCENT publishes online stories about people, places, events and ideas at Austin Community College, Austin and the surrounding area. Before completing your submission, please review “how can I submit a story idea?”

Participate in a monthly meeting and/or training session We will discuss story ideas and plan for the month during this meeting. 

Conduct an interview, write a news story or create a photography/videography story – Email [email protected] for a list of story options. 

Note: First priority is given to students who are ACCENT volunteers. 


What are the basic requirements for participation?
  • Have and maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA and in good standing with the College.
  • Be enrolled in at least (1) ACC course for credit during the semester.
  • Comply with ACC’s Student Standards of Conduct.

What are the benefits of volunteering with ACCENT?
  • Build a portfolio of work for future education and employment.
  • Receive valuable training and feedback.
  • Contribute to an award-winning student publication.
  • Potential to attend media credentialed events as an ACCENT representative.
  • Network with other student leaders and media professionals in the area.

What’s an ACCENT story?
  • Stories featuring the students, faculty, staff, events, campuses and issues of ACC.
  • Stories featuring local, regional, national or global people, places and issues that directly affect the ACC community.
  • Interviews focused on an experience, accomplishment, or cation of an ACC student, faculty or staff member.
  • Reviews on food, film, fashion, automotive, technology, gaming and books relevant to ACC students, faculty and staff.
  • Always consider the traditional qualities of news:
    • Time

How should I submit a story idea?
  • Send the below to [email protected]:
  • A short description of the ACC person, place, event or issue and why this story would be of benefit or interest to the ACC community. 
  • A list of sources who may be interviewed for the story and their contact information.

How can I take an assignment?

Stories will be assigned at monthly meetings by editors who will present a list of story opportunities. If you accept an assignment without being a volunteer, please provide the editors with your name, phone number and email address. 


What if I take an assignment that I’m unable to complete?

Email [email protected] immediately. This will allow us to assign the story to a different ACCENT member. If you take an assignment and we don’t hear from you, you may be ineligible for future stories. Please communicate above all else.


What is are the various assignments I can take?

Multimedia – Updated once a month with feature news in an article paired with video, photo package or infographic, reviewed and approved by Editor in Chief. Feature — 500-2000 words on a central theme with a photo package and infographic.

Written – Updated three times a month with breaking news to opinion pieces, reviewed and approved by Editor-in-Chief. Entertainment — 300-500 words reviews and criticism of music, film, fashion and technology in ACC and Austin area. Opinion — 300-500 words columns, editorial and op-ed. News You Can Use — 300-500 words useful items in short text or graphic form for ACC students; OR highlights four to five important events for ACC students.

Photography – Photo blog updated once a month with five to ten edited images (with cutlines), reviewed and approved by Editor-in-Chief.

Videography – Video story uploaded once a month, with captions and story content, reviewed and approved by Editor-in-Chief.

Promotions – Event hosting on a campus, monthly, approved by Editor-in-Chief.


I want to advertise with ACCENT, how do I do so?

A media kit is currently being produced.


How do I stay updated with ACCENT events?

As a recognized Student Life Student Organization, the events page is austincc.edu/sl. You can also click on the events tab on www.austincc.edu/accent that will bring you to a list of dates, times and locations of our most current and upcoming events and meetings. Or you can follow us on social media at


Where can I pick up the quarterly-zines?

The ACCENT zine is produced quarterly: January, May, August, November. It can be picked up in the ACCENT kiosk on the ACC campuses. Below is a list of locations per campus:

  • Cypress Creek – Student Commons Area
  • Elgin – Student Commons Area
  • Hays – Student Commons Area
  • Highland – Outside of the Library
  • Northridge – Cafe Area
  • Riverside – Student Life Office
  • Round Rock – Student Commons Area and in the ACCENT Lab
  • South Austin – Across from the Elevators

Where can I listen to the podcast?

Our podcast can be found on Spotify.