How does a musician with aspirations of a career in the symphony end up an award-winning welding professor? According to Dr. Warren Donworth, Austin Community College professor of welding, it’s not that much of a … Continue reading
Darrell Hubbard builds a career from a love of video games, education
Darrell Hubbard has a vision for combining his two passions — video games and education — in a way that could change lives. “Just imagine,” he says, “if your teacher told you, ‘Tonight I want … Continue reading
Teaching Excellence award recipients help students own their futures
Although they teach different subjects, a common theme emerges when talking with Austin Community College’s 2016 Teaching Excellence award recipients: empowerment. “Having control over language is having power, and a lot of my students need … Continue reading
International student makes career out of West Texas oil fields
In the plains of West Texas, the oil industry boomed after the millennium – along with the career of Austin Community College graduate Sergio Chavez. As an electronic technician, Chavez applies his expertise to help … Continue reading
ACC entrepreneur transforms backyard haunted house into a national icon
In an unassuming building nestled in the parking lot at ACC Highland sits Jon Austin Love. He’s tucked away inside a small room with his eyes fixed on a wall of computer screens. The images … Continue reading
Going all in: Professor Liz Coccia teaches students to apply knowledge, share hope
For many, the thought of dealing with the disease of addiction is not exactly uplifting. But that’s just what Dr. Elizabeth Coccia, professor and chair of Austin Community College’s Human Services Department, found it to … Continue reading
CAD student’s bold vision launches promising career
The tech industry drew in Andrew Sanderson from England to Austin. “This is where success is made,” says Sanderson. “I worked across Western Europe, Scandinavia, and the Middle East, but no other place had quite … Continue reading
RenEarl Bowie shares law enforcement experience in the field and classroom
From his days patrolling Texas’ highways as a state trooper, to his current role in charge of the Regulatory Services Division at the Texas Department of Public Safety, Assistant Director RenEarl Bowie has covered a … Continue reading
From student to professor: ACC’s Milan Sretenovic follows beat of his own drum
Tucked away in a dimly lit booth with headphones over his ears and his fingers on the sound board, ACC audio professor Milan Sretenovic is in his element. “I’m out there doing this thing every … Continue reading
The fight for a better life: Sonja Tellez rises from high school dropout to biotechnician
It’s an industry that’s growing rapidly in Austin, with thousands of job openings expected over the next few years, but biotechnology isn’t where Sonja Tellez first saw herself. A high school dropout, Tellez, stepped into … Continue reading
Inez Escamilla: Breaking a stereotype, embracing welding
As far back as she can remember, Inez Escamilla loved to put pieces together and make her own inventions. The Dripping Springs High School graduate knew what she wanted to be after seeing a welder … Continue reading
Graduate sets groundwork for new non-profit
It’s a dark world claiming the innocence of tens of thousands of children, but Brooke Crowder isn’t afraid of the darkness. She is creating a refuge so the young victims have a place to go … Continue reading
ACC's Fire Academy renews veteran's passion to serve
Being a hero, serving and protecting, it’s in David Renfro’s blood. Renfro grew up in South Austin, down the road from a local fire house. Every time he heard the sirens, destiny was calling. When … Continue reading
Estudiante de enfermería supera tragedia y obtiene la confianza para sobresalir
Daniel Bustillos, un estudiante de enfermería de ACC (programa de asociado), suele tratar a pacientes en el hospital y brindarle apoyo emocional a los seres queridos de los enfermos. Hace un año, vivió en carne … Continue reading
Nursing Brings Positive Change for ACC Student
A year into his studies as a nursing student at Austin Community College, Daniel Bustillos faced the ultimate challenge. He watched his mother lose her battle with liver cancer. Two paths lay before him. He … Continue reading
ACC veterinary programs create job path for animal lover
It’s like bees to honey, the way animals seek out Samantha Keltgen. It was inevitable that a stray mare named Starlight would fall for her, too. “My neighbor couldn’t catch his horse after it got … Continue reading
ACC student/fitness trainer outruns troubled start
‘There is no strength without struggle. I’ve held onto that my whole life.’ Joseph Williams’ bootstraps are attached to running shoes. A lifelong athlete, the former Austin Community College student, licensed massage therapist, and certified … Continue reading
Professor equips students with tools for success
Raymond Gerson, adjunct professor of student development at Austin Community College, wrote the book on succeeding in college — literally. His book, “Achieve College Success: Learn How in 20 Hours or Less,” is used in … Continue reading