The Austin Community College District Board of Trustees hosted a district-wide forum in late September to launch the 2009-2010 Campus Advisory Committees (CAC) for the college’s seven campuses. ACC has partnered with neighbors and local business leaders for many years, through instruction programs advisory committees and campus-specific advisory committees.

This year Trustee-appointed representatives (business and community leaders, educators, neighbors) were added to existing committees, which also include ACC students, faculty, and staff. Each of the college’s seven Campus Advisory Committees will help guide future development of ACC’s campuses and integrate ideas and perspectives from various communities into the college’s Master Plan.

“By enhancing community input on campus programs, services, and college initiatives, we deepen our response to local needs and interests,” says Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC President/CEO. “Contributions made by the public are an invaluable resource for our planning processes at a time of phenomenal growth.”

The committees’ work is an extension of the established district-wide Master Planning process and will lead to suggestions regarding future bond initiatives.

“Campus Advisory Committees also provide a forum for discussion of community issues that affect ACC,” says Nan McRaven, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. “We want to build mutual understanding, trust, and stronger relationships with those we serve.”

Additional CAC meeting and membership information can be found at www.austincc.edu/cac.

ACC also partners with community and business leaders throughout the eight-county service area to thoughtfully grow programs in response to regional workforce needs. College representatives participate in neighborhood and community organizations, serve on Chambers of Commerce, and actively monitor workforce and labor market conditions throughout the ACC service area.

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About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):

ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 40,000 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”