As the country observes Veterans Day on November 11, the Austin Community College District extends its deep appreciation to veterans and active-duty service members. ACC is committed to serving veteran students and helping them transition from the military to the classroom.

“We owe our veterans an enormous debt of gratitude,” says Mark Harden, manager of Veterans Affairs at ACC and an Army veteran. “ACC wants to help them take advantage of the benefits they’ve earned and make sure they know about the resources available to them.”

Here is a spotlight on Veterans Day activities and support services. For other Veterans Day events around Central Texas, visit the Austin American-Statesman’s website.

• “Honoring the Service” will feature ACC veterans reading their works, with a special presentation by David M. Parsons, the 2011 Texas poet laureate. The event is set for 7 p.m. Friday, November 11, at Riverside Campus (1020 Grove Blvd., Building G, Room 8100). It is free and open to the public. Click here for more details.


Sharon Frederick

• ACC’s Dr. Sharon Frederick is featured in the Voices of Veterans exhibit at the Texas Capitol Visitors Center (112 E. 11^th St.). “Every Veteran has a Story to Tell” is an interactive multimedia exhibit that opens November 11 and runs through September 2012.The exhibit features kiosks with interviews and personal artifacts from veterans including Dr. Frederick, the executive director of ACC’s Early College High School program. Dr. Frederick received the Bronze Star for her service in Iraq as a brigade medical officer in the Texas Army National Guard. (Listen to Dr. Frederick’s interview for the exhibit.) For more information on Voices of Veterans, click here.
• ACC Veterans Affairs “Peer to Peer” groups meet every Thursday at Round Rock and Northridge campuses. The one-hour sessions are facilitated by trained combat veterans. To learn more about Peer to Peer groups, contact Bernie Hinterlong at 223.0320 or [email protected].

For more information on Veterans Affairs at ACC, visit austincc.edu/support/veterans, call 223.7574, or email [email protected].

“Come and ask questions,” says Jason Prochilo, an engineering major and Veterans Affairs student worker who served in Iraq. “Some people are quick to transition, while for others it takes some time. We have veterans here at ACC to help other veterans.”