ACC and AISD Partner to Assist More High School Seniors With College Enrollment: College Connection Provides Seamless Transition to Higher Education

Austin Community College (ACC) and the Austin School District (AISD) are pleased to announce a collaborative initiative called College Connection, which is designed to introduce more students to higher education while still in high school, and to encourage those students to pursue post-secondary education.

“Part of ACC’s mission is to make higher education more accessible,” said Dr. Robert Aguero, ACC President. “This partnership will help us fulfill that goal by delivering college services to AISD high school seniors and individually assisting them with the college admissions process.”

Throughout the spring ’05 semester, the AISD/ACC College Connection will provide seniors at all 12 AISD high schools with comprehensive information and individual assistance in completing the admissions process to ACC.

“Through this partnership with ACC, we hope to provide all AISD high school seniors with a jumpstart on college and career,” AISD Superintendent Dr. Pat Forgione said. “This collaboration is designed to bring college directly in the high school classrooms, resulting in a seamless transition to higher education.”

The services ACC will provide every participating high school senior include: assistance with completing ACC’s student application and financial aid applications, as well as individual academic advisement, testing and career

planning.

“Several years ago the State of Texas developed a plan to increase college attendance among minority students called Closing the Gaps,” said Dr. Barbara Mink, ACC Board Chair. “We on the ACC Board see College Connection as being a creative program in the recruitment and retention of such students.”

“The Austin School Board is committed to ensuring that all of our graduates demonstrate and understand the skills and knowledge needed to successfully enroll in a postsecondary institution,” AISD Board President Doyle Valdez said. “This partnership provides the hands-on opportunity for students to gain this valuable experience.”

Upon completion of all the requirements of the AISD/ACC College Connection, AISD seniors will receive an official letter of acceptance to ACC at their high school graduation ceremony. In addition, those seniors will obtain:

* Full admission to ACC with no time limit for attending
* Access to ACC’s many career programs, courses and summer classes
* An in-district tuition rate

For more information on the AISD/ACC College Connection visit .

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