Austin Community College President Dr. Robert Aguero met with several African-American ministers recently at a reception at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Northeast Austin. Pastors and representatives from area churches attended the event, including ACC Board Member Jeffrey Richard who represented St. James Baptist Church.

Dr. Aguero invited church leaders to join the ACC “web of inclusion” a partnership that started with the establishment of ACC classes in area churches. “Joining this partnership will put the college in direct contact with our area church pastors, ministers, and education directors so ACC can provide the educational programs their congregations may need,” said Dr. Aguero.

Using churches as a gateway to increase college enrollment among African-Americans was started with Mt. Sinai Church. Over a two-year period, ACC offered Conversational Spanish classes at not only Mt. Sinai, but several other area churches. “I am enthusiastic about the growing relationship between the religious community and Austin Community College,” said A.W. Anthony Mays, Pastor of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church.

“ACC is responding to the community’s needs expressed by religious leaders through creating Conversational Spanish classes and college preparation workshops,” said Loretta Edelen, director of community outreach, and one of the event’s organizers.

The reception was planned as a welcoming event to introduce Dr. Aguero to East Austin religious leaders. Dr. Aguero recently started his tenure as ACC president after serving for seven years as Vice Chancellor of Educational Affairs at the Dallas County Community College District.
Austin Community College has an enrollment of 40,000 credit and non-credit students attending classes at six campuses. The college’s Eastview Campus is the latest addition and it features a newly constructed Health Sciences Building at 3401 Webberville Road.