Ten years ago Daniel Chitty couldn\u2019t see college in his future.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was struggling to find a place where I fit in; I thought I was destined for a below-average life,\u201d says Chitty. \u201cI tried college once, and it didn’t work. I hesitated to give it another try.\u201d
\n![\"James](\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/newsroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/81\/2015\/05\/James-Daniel-Chittys-Headshot-192x300.jpg\")
\nWhile doing accounting and administrative work at a local dental office, Chitty realized he wasn’t living up to his potential. With the encouragement of his boss, he enrolled at ACC and set his sights on dental school. It started off slowly with just a few courses.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to prove that I could handle college. I gradually progressed to more difficult courses and then I found myself excelling,\u201d says Chitty. \u201cI made it into the honor society and it pushed me to another level.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chitty volunteered to lead the ACC chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and later was elected a regional officer. In 2013 he was named international president of the honor society.<\/p>\n
Chitty will be among the hundreds of ACC students participating in the college\u2019s spring commencement Thursday, May 14, at 6 p.m. at the Frank Erwin Center.<\/p>\n
“This is an exciting time for the college and our students,\u201d says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president\/CEO. \u201cWe\u2019re so proud to see their hard work come to fruition, and the ceremony honoring that work is always a thrilling evening. You can feel the excitement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chitty will receive ACC\u2019s Presidential Student Achievement Award during commencement.\u00a0 He will transfer to the University of San Antonio Health Science College, one of the nation\u2019s premiere dental programs. Chitty is one of a few accepted into the program without a bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started off at ACC unsure,\u201d he says. \u201cI am now more prepared than ever to begin my new life. I also firmly believe in paying it forward. I could not have accomplished all that I have on my own. I look forward to the opportunity to be a mentor to others who may be struggling.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more details on the graduation ceremony, visit\u00a0austincc.edu\/graduation<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ten years ago Daniel Chitty couldn\u2019t see college in his future. \u201cI was struggling to find a place where I fit in; I thought I was destined for a below-average life,\u201d says Chitty. \u201cI tried … Continue reading