“For some people, an associate degree is little, but for me, it tastes like a Ph.D” – Yessica Marroquin, ACC graduate and former board member, Todos Juntos
One of the best things about ACC is our Adult Education (AE) program. AE serves students who want to learn English, or who want to prepare for the GED® to get their high school equivalency, or who want to prepare for the TSIA (Texas Success Initiative Assessment, the state’s approved instrument to assess college readiness), or who want to learn skills for an entry-level job. In all of this work, AE epitomizes the power of partnerships, both internal and external.
One of AE’s many partners is Todos Juntos, an organization with a “two gen” model (serving both parents and children) of education and support. Whether it’s at Todos Juntos, or on one of our campuses, or at multiple other sites across Travis County, our Adult Education programs help students change their trajectory and that of their families. And our AE students go on to succeed in ACC’s credit classes, in transfer programs, and in work.
One of those students was Yessica Marroquin quoted above. Yessica was a Chancellor’s Student Achievement award winner three years ago. For Yessica to earn her associate degree, she had to first learn a new language. And she had to persevere, including through a pandemic. Many of our students face multiple challenges and barriers to success, and Yessica reminds us that they are capable of and committed to learning. For many of them, an associate degree “tastes like a Ph.D” and we’ve helped them achieve that goal.
Here’s to each of you! You are to be congratulated for the role you play every day, the kindness you show, the grace you exhibit, the joy you embody, and the support you give to our students and our mission. The Yessicas of our current student population thank you!