ACC faculty, staff, students, and the community had the opportunity to hear from each of the three finalists for ACC’s chancellor position in a series of forums June 27-29, 2023. View a slideshow of photos from the forums below. 

Each candidate spent a day in Austin. During their visit, they attended three campuses — Round Rock, Highland, and South Austin — and participated in a one-hour, in-person forum.

Tuesday, June 27 | Dr. Robert Garza
Wednesday, June 28 | Dr. Joyce Ester
Thursday, June 29 | Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart

Hundreds attended the series of community forums. The forums were moderated by Trustees and included brief remarks and a question-and-answer session.

Trustees presented questions they collected from ACC’s student and employee associations. 

Among the questions each finalist was asked included how they would plan to increase access to higher education for underserved populations in our area, build a safe and inclusive culture at the college, and have meaningful engagement across the district’s service area. They also were asked what shared governance means to them and how they see their role as chancellor at ACC.

Following the scripted questions, audience members were invited to ask questions as well.

Attendees were asked to fill out an anonymous survey after the forum to help inform trustees what the community thought of the candidates. 

NEXT STEPS

On Friday, June 30, the Board of Trustees is expected to convene in a special meeting to discuss their next steps. According to the official chancellor search process, Trustees will visit the home campus of each top finalist. Following these onsite visits, Trustees are expected to make a decision and extend an offer to the chosen finalist.

Dr. Robert Garza, one of three finalists for the Austin Community College (ACC) Chancellor position, participates in a forum to answer questions from the community and discuss his background on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Highland Campus Recital Hall. In January, ACC Chancellor, Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, announced he would retire on August 31, 2023, after 12 years of service to the college and the Central Texas community.

Dr. Robert Garza, one of three finalists for the Austin Community College (ACC) Chancellor position, participates in a forum to answer questions from the community and discuss his background on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Highland Campus Recital Hall. In January, ACC Chancellor, Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, announced he would retire on August 31, 2023, after 12 years of service to the college and the Central Texas community.

Dr. Robert Garza, one of three finalists for the Austin Community College (ACC) Chancellor position, participates in a forum to answer questions from the community and discuss his background on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Highland Campus Recital Hall. In January, ACC Chancellor, Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, announced he would retire on August 31, 2023, after 12 years of service to the college and the Central Texas community.

Dr. Joyce Ester, one of three finalists for the Austin Community College (ACC) Chancellor position, participates in a forum to answer questions from the community and discuss his background on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at the South Austin Campus. In January, ACC Chancellor, Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, announced he would retire on August 31, 2023, after 12 years of service to the college and the Central Texas community.

Dr. Joyce Ester, one of three finalists for the Austin Community College (ACC) Chancellor position, participates in a forum to answer questions from the community and discuss his background on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at the South Austin Campus. In January, ACC Chancellor, Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, announced he would retire on August 31, 2023, after 12 years of service to the college and the Central Texas community.

Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, one of three finalists for the Austin Community College (ACC) Chancellor position, participates in a forum to answer questions from the community and discuss his background on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Round Rock Campus. In January, ACC Chancellor, Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, announced he would retire on August 31, 2023, after 12 years of service to the college and the Central Texas community.

Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, one of three finalists for the Austin Community College (ACC) Chancellor position, participates in a forum to answer questions from the community and discuss his background on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Round Rock Campus. In January, ACC Chancellor, Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, announced he would retire on August 31, 2023, after 12 years of service to the college and the Central Texas community.

Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, one of three finalists for the Austin Community College (ACC) Chancellor position, participates in a forum to answer questions from the community and discuss his background on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Round Rock Campus. In January, ACC Chancellor, Dr. Richard M. Rhodes, announced he would retire on August 31, 2023, after 12 years of service to the college and the Central Texas community.