Dr. Richard M. Rhodes was appointed as the fifth president of Austin Community College (ACC) in 2011. He had served as the president of El Paso Community College and Midland College before joining ACC. During his tenure as the President of ACC, Dr. Rhodes has been instrumental in advancing the college’s mission of providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality education to the Central Texas community. Under his leadership, ACC has achieved several significant milestones, including the creation of the first bachelor’s degree program at ACC and the establishment of innovative workforce development programs in partnership with local employers.
Dr. Rhodes is widely recognized for his commitment to student success, community engagement, and innovation. He has led numerous initiatives aimed at increasing access to higher education for underserved communities, including the expansion of ACC’s Early College Start program and the launch of the ACCelerator, a state-of-the-art learning lab that uses technology to personalize learning for students. Dr. Rhodes’ leadership and vision have made ACC one of the most dynamic and innovative community colleges in the country, and he continues to work tirelessly to ensure that every student at ACC has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.