{"id":44474,"date":"2017-09-22T18:53:07","date_gmt":"2017-09-22T18:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=44474"},"modified":"2017-10-10T17:01:27","modified_gmt":"2017-10-10T17:01:27","slug":"groundbreaking-marks-beginning-of-highland-phase-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/newsroom\/2017\/09\/22\/groundbreaking-marks-beginning-of-highland-phase-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Groundbreaking marks beginning of Highland Phase 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Construction is set to begin on Austin Community College (ACC) Highland phase 2 that will add advanced facilities to prepare students for high-demand careers and nurture local business growth. Community leaders and friends joined ACC September 21 for a ceremonial groundbreaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Northridge Trio, consisting of three ACC Music Performance students \u2013 Ambrosio Sexton (keys), Taka Shimada (Bass) and Daniel Smith (guitar) – provided event entertainment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cACC Highland is about breaking down walls and barriers that keep students and people in our community from truly achieving their dreams and pursuing their passions and going into the workforce to make a difference in our community,\u201d said Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC President\/CEO.<\/span><\/p>\n

The phase 2 project, totaling 415,000 square feet, comprises the college\u2019s first school-to-business incubator, a Health Sciences simulation center, multimedia art gallery, and Culinary Arts center with a restaurant operated by ACC faculty, staff, and students. It also includes expanded space for more than a dozen ACC programs, including: Computer Science and Information Technology, Game Development, Music Business Performance Technology, Architectural and Engineering Computer Aided Design, Radio\/Television\/Film, and Visual Communication<\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

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“Faculty and staff are the ones that create the magic, that light up the inspiration of the hearts of our students.\u201d -Dr. Rhodes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThis vision started long before I got here,\u201d said Dr. Rhodes, recognizing former ACC President\/CEO Dr. Steve Kinslow. \u201cThe revitalization of this area is thanks to his vision, his commitment to ACC\u2019s mission.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

ACC began the revolutionary project in 2010 transforming the aging Highland Mall into a state-of-the-art college campus and regional center for workforce training and lifelong learning. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis redevelopment project will be studied around the country because it is that unique and that special,\u201d said State Senator Kirk Watson.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can\u2019t tell, I am the president of the ACC fan club,\u201d Watson continued. \u201cIt\u2019s because I see the value it places on changing lives and I see firsthand the fact that it is in fact changing those lives\u2026This is something that we as a community can wrap our arms around.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a member of that fan club as well,\u201d Austin Mayor Steve Adler said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are trying to match the community that lives here to the opportunities that exist. There is no place in this city where it is happening – it\u2019s happening here. This phase 2 transformation may be the most exciting thing that\u2019s happening in this city,\u201d Adler said.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cThe revitalization of this mall is not only monumental for Austin, and for Central Texas, but nationally,\u201d said Dr. Barbara Mink, Chair of ACC District Board of Trustees. \u201cThe vision for the project has always been about building a positive future for our students and for Central Texas\u2026This project is about collaboration, innovative learning spaces, and economic development.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When phase 2 opens, ACC Highland will serve an additional 5,000 students. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI believe without a doubt that what\u2019s happening here is nothing but good,\u201d said Reverend Dr. G. V. Clark, St. John Regular Baptist District Association.<\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about the project at austincc.edu\/vision<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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