In 2012 Austin Community College District continued to make strides toward increasing student success and degree completion while creating a foundation for future growth.

“What began as a series of initiatives to increase student success has steadily become part of our culture,” says ACC President/CEO Dr. Richard Rhodes. “I am grateful for the hard work of our faculty and staff in the past year. It has led to enormous progress and sets the stage for even more growth and achievements in 2013.”

Highlights from the year include:

Student Achievement – An increasing number of Central Texas adults earned their General Educational Development (GED) credential. The number of students completing ACC’s GED preparatory program and earning their high school equivalency certificate has increased 78 percent since 2008. Some 420 students graduated from the program in May – a 20 percent increase from 2011.

ACC was the only community college ranking among the top 10 Texas colleges and universities with the highest success rates for the CPA exam. This is the college’s fifth consecutive top 10 ranking.

Special events – U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spoke to students, educators, business leaders, and policy makers at a March town hall meeting at Eastview Campus. The town hall panel also featured Dr. Rhodes, Dr. Brenda Dann-Messier, U.S. assistant secretary for vocational and adult education, and Tony Budet, president and CEO of Austin’s University Federal Credit Union.

“The example you’re setting we think has implications not just for the local community but for the country.” — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan

Duncan praised ACC for working with the private sector to prepare a skilled workforce, noting, “The example you’re setting we think has implications not just for the local community but for the country.”

In November, ACC hosted renowned autism advocate and animal sciences expert Dr. Temple Grandin. Following a screening of the HBO film about her life, Grandin shared stories and advice with students, faculty, and local community members, expressing her support for community colleges. “I think community colleges are extremely valuable,” Dr. Grandin said during her visit. “I would have been lost if I had been in a 500-student freshman English class.”

The ACC Jazz Ensemble marked its 30th anniversary with a special performance at Bass Concert Hall in July. The concert celebrated big band jazz, pop, soul, blues, and country music. The Jazz Ensemble has performed locally, throughout the state, and across the country at concerts, receptions, charity events, dances, and even a presidential inauguration gala.

Celebrating Graduates – ACC began new graduation traditions in 2012, adding special recognition for graduating veterans at the May commencement ceremony and holding the first December commencement this fall.

The number of ACC graduates has swelled in recent years, increasing almost 80 percent since 2006-07. Dr. Rhodes said offering mid-year commencement made sense: “We want as many students and families as possible to celebrate this important milestone with us.”

Expanding Capacity – After acquiring the final portions of Highland Mall and subsequently receiving Board of Trustees approval on project financing, ACC is moving forward with plans to renovate the Highland space and surrounding 80 acres. The first phase of redevelopment will be the former J.C. Penney building, with a spring 2013 groundbreaking paving the way for a fall 2014 opening. The new facility will accommodate up to 6,200 students and will feature a new math emporium where students practice math concepts in a 500-station open lab setting.

More than 800 people gathered to celebrate the Hays Campus groundbreaking in June. The first phase of the new campus, an 88,300-square-foot, three-story structure to support up to 2,000 students, is scheduled to open for the spring 2014 semester. Progress continued on the new Elgin Campus, slated to open in fall 2013.

In late 2012, ACC’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to begin work toward a November 2013 bond election to fund capital improvements at several campuses. The board plans to incorporate community input into a thoughtful, responsible proposal that will support the education and training goals outlined in the college’s Master Plan.

Going Green – ACC was one of 10 U.S. higher education institutions – and one of only two community colleges – to receive the 2012 Climate Leadership Award from Second Nature and the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).

ACC’s commitment to sustainable design and construction also was recognized at the Round Rock Campus, which earned the silver level of LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings are designed to lower operating costs, reduce waste to landfills, conserve energy and water, and be healthier and safer for occupants.

The college now has 18 charging stations for electric vehicles at various campuses and administrative locations. Four charging spots at each station are open to the public as well as the ACC community, including participants in ACC’s Green Car program. The college also furthered its sustainable transportation commitment through a partnership with Zipcar, a provider of car-sharing services.

Funding New Learning Pathways – The U.S. Department of Labor awarded ACC more than $4.5 million to create innovative learning models for computer programming, biotechnology, and biology disciplines. The college is partnering with other institutions in three grants, including one with Western Governors University (WGU) Texas that will introduce competency-based coursework as a means to reduce the time needed to earn a degree or certificate.

“It is up to us to create affordable, accessible pathways that allow students to achieve marketable credentials and get into the workforce as quickly as possible. That’s exactly what this grant will allow us to do.” — Dr. Richard Rhodes

“It is up to us to create affordable, accessible pathways that allow students to achieve marketable credentials and get into the workforce as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Rhodes. “That’s exactly what this grant will allow us to do.”

Accolades for ACCESS News – ACCESS News was named “Best Hands-On News” in the Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin 2012. ACC and the civic learning organization Civication sponsor the news and civic affairs program for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing viewers. Hosted by Tamara Suiter-Ocuto, who is Deaf, ACCESS News is presented in American Sign Language, English, and closed captioning. The program, which marked its second season in the fall, is taped at the Pinnacle Campus.

Going Mobile – A mobile version of ACC’s website gives users immediate, on-the-go access to essential tools and resources. Â With ACC Mobile, smartphone and other mobile users can stay connected and access services such as campus maps and directions, ACCmail, Blackboard, and other online services, including registration.

Balanced Budget- ACC’s Board of Trustees in June adopted a $272 million budget for 2012-13. The 2.6 percent increase over the 2011-12 budget will enable the college to progress with student success initiatives.

Board members also adopted the college’s 2013-15 Master Plan, which drives budget decisions. The plan’s core goals of enhancing student success, meeting enrollment targets, expanding instructional capacity, and expanding fiscal capacity target the education and training needs of area residents and business and industry.

Excellence in Financial Reporting – For the ninth consecutive year, ACC earned the highest form of recognition for governmental accounting and financial reporting. Â The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the ACC District its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the college’s 2011 comprehensive annual financial report. Recipients demonstrate a spirit of full disclosure that clearly communicates their fiscal status.

Friends Tee Up to Support Students – More than 100 friends of ACC gathered at the Riverside Golf Course in October for the seventh annual Golf Scramble. The event raised a record $25,000 for the Student Emergency Fund. SpawGlass sponsored the tournament.

QEP Day Introduces Math PLUS: Students, faculty, and staff collegewide celebrated QEP Day in October. Each campus had activities and giveaways to help staff and students learn about Math PLUS, an innovative program to help students succeed in developmental math.

To stay updated on ACC news in 2013, bookmark the ACC faculty/staff webpage.