Spring 2026 CSAA nominations open on January 5 and close on March 27.<\/strong><\/p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_tta_section title=”Eligibility” tab_id=”1568649652134-2af33544-821c”][vc_column_text]Student Life staff will verify the following eligibility requirements:<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Selection Criteria” tab_id=”1568649711442-4e04e75d-ac31″][vc_column_text]Applications will be evaluated on the criteria below by a committee of faculty and staff. Finalists will be selected for interviews.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Benefits of the Award” tab_id=”1568649777481-c1d6b30b-d9fe”][vc_column_text]The recipient of the Chancellor’s Student Achievement Award will receive a $600 award and a plaque. In addition, the recipient provides a 1-2 minute remark to the graduating class.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/hB_SldrRApE” css=”.vc_custom_1770350055063{margin-top: -25px !important;margin-bottom: 25px !important;}”][\/vc_tta_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”1″ title=”View our Previous Recipients Down Below”][vc_tta_section title=”Fall 2025 – Elodia Escarcega” tab_id=”1753152653040-2e8d327c-9779″][vc_column_text] Rikki Tomiko Ehrhart is the Spring 2025 recipient of the ACC\u2019s Chancellor Student Achievement Award. To read more about Rikki\u2019s journey, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Fall 2024 – Kristen Hennessy” tab_id=”1753153085564-77cb1ca4-d6ac”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n When Kristan Hennessy first stepped onto Austin Community College District\u2019s (ACC) Eastview Campus, she never imagined how deeply the school would shape her life.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI never understood why people got really riled up about their alma maters; now I get it. I\u00a0chose ACC because of its flexibility and reputation,\u201d Kristan says. \u201cWhen the pandemic hit, ACC quickly moved classes online, making it possible for me to continue my education while everything else seemed to stand still. That decision changed everything for me.\u201d<\/p>\n Kristan Hennessy is the Fall 2024 recipient of the ACC\u2019s Chancellor Student Achievement Award. To read more about Kristan\u2019s journey, click <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Spring 2024 – Theo Courtois” tab_id=”1753152653040-1ef55496-dfc0″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n \u201cAs a first-generation and nontraditional student, I am proud to graduate this semester with my Associate of Science degree in General Studies with Honors. I have been supported in reaching this personally significant milestone by the meaningful connections, strong guidance, and invaluable resources I have found here at Austin Community College.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Theodore Courtois is the Spring 2024 recipient of the ACC\u2019s Chancellor Student Achievement Award. To read more about Theodore\u2019s journey, click <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/sl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2026\/01\/Elodia.jpg\")
Elodia embodies resilience, leadership, and the power of belonging. A first-generation Mexican student, she transformed adversity into advocacy through service-learning, student leadership, and community-building at ACC, including leading AMIGOS and revitalizing initiatives that amplified student voices. Guided by her belief that \u201cwe can choose to become more gentle and loving than the day before,\u201d her impact, rooted in collaboration, compassion, and purpose, reminds us that community can change lives and that meaning can grow from even the hardest chapters.
Elodia Escarcega is the Fall 2025 recipient of the ACC\u2019s Chancellor Student Achievement Award. To read more about Elodia\u2019s journey, click here<\/a>.<\/p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Spring 2025 – Rikki Tomiko Ehrhart” tab_id=”1767994140347-d8f3abe2-f07c”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/sl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/07\/RikkiTomikoEhrhart.jpeg\")
Rikki Tomiko Ehrhart proves it\u2019s never too late to change direction and redefine success. After years in the service industry, she discovered a passion for programming and dove into every opportunity at ACC, from leading student groups to helping design apps and websites. \u201cWhen that little voice in your head says you\u2019re not capable, do it anyway. You might surprise yourself,\u201d Rikki says.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sites.austincc.edu\/sl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/01\/Fall-2024-CSAA-Winner.jpg\")
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<\/p>\nContact<\/h2>\n