“A few years ago, I was feeling lost. Now, I’m leading, creating, coding, and walking the stage as the Chancellor Student Achievement Award winner.”

— Rikki Tomiko Ehrhart, Spring 2025 Chancellor Student Achievement Award Recipient

Rikki Tomiko Ehrhart proves that it’s never too late to change direction—and thrive. This spring, the 38-year-old graduates from Austin Community College District (ACC) with an Associate of Applied Science in Web Programming. She was also named the Chancellor Student Achievement Award.

Her journey is anything but traditional. After earning a theater degree nearly two decades ago and spending years in the service industry, Rikki felt stuck. 

“I didn’t have a clear career path. A friend suggested I try learning a programming language—and I fell in love with it. I quit my job and enrolled at ACC.”

From the start, Rikki embraced every opportunity ACC offered. She dove into leadership with Phi Theta Kappa—the College’s honor society chapter— helped build its website, co-led the Women in Technology (WIT) group, Helped design an app to teach kids music, and served as the student voice on ACC’s Web Advisory Committee.

“I went all in. I gave myself 2 years to see what I was capable of, and it turned out that I’m capable of a lot.”

Her initiative helped launch the “Grab a Byte” tech engagement series and advanced digital accessibility work across campus. Along the way, she earned multiple micro-credentials and completed an internship with Hurley Pianos.

“I’m so proud of how far I’ve come,” Rikki says. “Being inducted into Phi Theta Kappa changed everything—it helped me realize I was a leader. From there, I just kept saying yes to growth.”

And it paid off. After attending an ACC meet-and-greet with Visa, Rikki landed a Software Engineering Apprenticeship with the company. She’ll keep the momentum going as she pursues her bachelor’s degree in Software Development—right here at ACC.

“I used to think I was average. ACC helped me realize I’m capable of more than I ever imagined.”

Her advice to future students?

“Get involved, in whatever way you can, take opportunities whenever they are available and when that little voice inside your head tells you that you aren’t capable of something — do it anyway! You might surprise yourself!”

Help us celebrate her and the Class of 2025 at austincc.edu/commencement.

Tags: Congrats Grads!, CSAA, Spring 2025 Commencement, Spring 2025 Graduation, Web Programming