The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Austin Community College with a Business and International Education grant totaling $170,000. The two-year grant will fund the development of an International Business curriculum that will be accessible to community college students across Texas.

Through a partnership with the Texas Camino Real (District) Export Council, ACC will develop a two-year Associate of Applied Science Degree in International Business. In addition to providing expanded international business education for the Central Texas community, Austin Community College will offer the courses to thousands of students across the state through the Virtual College of Texas, or VCT. The VCT is a vehicle by which students at participating colleges may take any course that is offered through distance learning at another participating college.

“ACC will offer community college students throughout Texas the opportunity to acquire knowledge about this exciting career and earn a degree in International Business, even if their local institution does not offer any international business courses,” said Jan Smith, who will serve as the ACC Grant Director. “This will result in increased opportunities throughout the state for economic development through global commerce.”
The college will also partner with the International Center of Austin ( ICA ) and the World Congress on Information Technology 2006 (WCIT 2006). This partnership will enable ACC to provide the local business community with information on how to grow their companies through international trade.

The grant will make it possible for ACC to offer education and networkinopportunities that are necessary for businesses to achieve their biggest potential.

“With this grant, ACC continues its leadership in providing high-quality international business education to the business community,” said Ed Jones, Executive Director of the ICA and a Board Member of the WCIT 2006. “In addition, this innovative program will help drive new business and strengthen the economic base throughout Texas.”
About ACC:

Austin Commmunity College offers affordable, quality education and training to Central Texas residents. Founded as an open-door institution in 1973 with only 1,793 students, Austin Commmunity College has grown into a diverse, six-campus institution that serves more than 30,000 students a semester. ACC offers associate degrees and certificates in more than 140 areas. The college also plays a vital role in training the local workforce. Healthcare and social services professionals such as police officers, fire fighters and nurses receive state-of-the-art training at the college. ACC continues to be the top transfer institution in the area.