The Austin Community College Alumni Network Advisory Council committed $15,000 to establish a scholarship to benefit ACC students.  This marks the first time the college’s Alumni Network has provided funds for a scholarship.

“Part of our job as alumni leaders is to be role models for other alumni,” said Alumni Council President, Paul Theobald.  “This scholarship will allow ACC alumni to give back and support current students.”  The first scholarship from this fund will be awarded in the Spring of 2016 to a full-time student pursuing a certificate or associate degree at ACC.

The $15,000 fund will endow an annual scholarship that may be applied toward tuition, fees, and books.  Currently, the fund can provide an annual scholarship for one student.  The ACC Alumni Network anticipates that the number of students served will grow as alumni get involved and contribute.

Liz Ramon, a member of the ACC Alumni Council, said she has seen the positive impact scholarships can have.

“In my current position as the Senior Communications Officer at Capital IDEA, I know students whose lives have been transformed by access to high-quality education,” Ramon said. “I believe ACC is one of the finest Community Colleges in the nation and I would love to unlock educational opportunities for more deserving Austin-area students through this scholarship.”

“Launching this scholarship is a huge step for us, but one I hope will be the first of many,” said Mary Ann Cicala, Austin Community College’s Alumni Director.  “We are planning a matching campaign that we hope will inspire other ACC Alumni and former students to provide much-needed financial support to students.”

“The Alumni Network Scholarship will help to create life-changing opportunities for students who represent the next generation of the workforce,” said Austin Community College President and CEO, Dr. Richard Rhodes.  “We hope this endowment will grow through the years so that the annual scholarships can continue to be awarded.”

If you would like to contribute to this fund, contact Mary Ann Cicala at [email protected] or (512) 223-7109.  You may also make a gift online. Be sure to identify that you would like your gift to go to the ACC Alumni Network Scholarship when you complete the online form.

The ACC Alumni Network is part of the Division of Community Engagement and Public Affairsat Austin Community College.