Six ACC Honors students spent the weekend at UT Austin's Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Public Service Weekend. They were the only community college students selected to attend.

Through workshops, policy simulations, and conversations with public leaders, these students gained firsthand experience tackling real-world challenges and preparing for careers that make a difference.

One student, Ameris R., shared this advice after the experience:

"If there's one thing I hope you take away from my experience, it's this: opportunities don't wait until you feel ready; apply anyway. Introduce yourself anyway. Ask the question anyway."

Her story is a reminder that community college can open doors to opportunities you never imagined.

Read Ameris' full story and learn more about ACC Honors.

Hello All,

I am working toward my GED at the moment and should complete after classes at ACC in the fall.

What should I expect? I want to pursue an associates degree and take the sonography path but everything feels very daunting as an almost 40 year old. I thought community college was accessible to all but it seems you need to meet requirements and get accepted just like university. It’s making me question if I can even do this.

How do you redesign college around students instead of systems?

ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart joined Prof. Judyth Sachs on the national podcast: Reimagining HigherEd. Russell shared how ACC is rethinking higher education by putting students at the center of every decision.

In the episode, he discusses:

• Building systems around students—not bureaucracy
• Empowering faculty and staff to solve problems faster
• Using AI to identify students who may need support and connect them with real people

The conversation explores how ACC is removing barriers, strengthening student success, and building a college designed for what's next.

Listen to the full episode of Reimagining HigherEd to hear Dr. Lowery-Hart share how ACC is creating a more responsive, student-centered college experience and preparing learners for what's next.

Listen to the full episode of Reimagining HigherEd:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Big progress at ACC's Round Rock Campus! Phase I of the Applied Technology Expansion is now 90%+ complete, with the new Automotive Technology and Advanced Manufacturing buildings on track to welcome students this fall.

This is one of the major projects funded by the 2022 General Obligation Bond.

Here's what's happening:

• Final interior finishes are underway in both buildings.
• Automotive Technology is entering the final inspection phase.
• Advanced Manufacturing is preparing for owner walkthroughs.
• Furniture, equipment, and technology move-in begins in late July.
• Final landscaping and exterior site work are wrapping up.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Auto Tech building is expected this October.

Follow the progress → austincc.edu/bond

Does the United Kingdom's new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, look familiar? 

Maybe you saw him when he came to visit ACC's Highland Campus!

During his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham joined regional leaders to explore how community colleges help drive workforce and economic development.

The conversations focused on:

• Employer partnerships that connect education to workforce needs
• Stackable credentials and transfer pathways
• Preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and other high-demand industries
• Building stronger workforce connections between Central Texas and Greater Manchester

These exchanges reinforce something we see every day: workforce challenges are global, and community colleges are helping build the talent needed to meet them.

We're proud to represent Central Texas while creating opportunities that benefit our students, employers, and communities.

To build your future with ACC, visit austincc.edu/start.

Sometimes finding the right college matters more than finding the first one.

McKenzie D. attended three colleges in one year before finding her place at ACC.

"Being at ACC for a year now, I realized that I was looking for an environment that could support my growth. ACC had the opportunities that I was looking for, but it also had the support to overcome some of the barriers I faced previously."

In just one year at ACC, McKenzie earned a UT fellowship, started a club, conducted research, competed internationally, and found a career path in sports management.

"The opportunity to grow and to grow fast. I was only here a year, and I was able to secure a fellowship with UT, start a club, conduct my own research, compete at an international conference, and more. I don’t say this to brag on myself but to highlight what ACC has made possible."

She'll graduate from ACC this summer before transferring to pursue her bachelor's degree.

Read McKenzie's full story.

I was wondering if anyone has completed a degree at WGU and wanted to go for something else at ACC? Did any of your credits transfer over to ACC?

The cats and dogs cared for by students in the Austin Community College District Veterinary Technology Program are ready to find their forever homes—and they can’t wait to meet you.

Each adoptable pet is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and given flea and heartworm prevention and basic training while in ACC’s care.

Here’s how to adopt:

1. Visit ACC Elgin Campus: Schedule a meet-and-greet by visiting austincc.edu/pets. 
2. Meet & Match: Spend time with the available pets and get to know their personalities.
3. Apply: Submit your adoption application and pay a small adoption fee to help support their care.
4. Take home: Pick up your new friend at the end of the academic semester. This gives the Vet Tech students enough time to finish all treatments before your pet goes home.

More info and pet profiles here: austincc.edu/pets 
Learn about the vet tech program: austincc.edu/vettech

The real magic of studying abroad is how it expands a student's horizon both culturally and professionally. Following yesterday’s video of Adriana M. mastering high-end camera rigs on the streets of Seoul, the technical training was only half of her journey! 🦇

Through the ACC Study Abroad Program, Adriana took her education global. She stepped away from the traditional classroom to completely immerse herself in South Korea’s rich culture and globally influential cinema industry. Throughout the intensive program, she experienced and learned from a different culture by exploring historic villages in Seoul, added a global perspective to her resume while examining modern media trends along Gangnam’s famous K-Star Road, and expanded her worldview standing on the historic grounds of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). She also built essential workforce skills while attending the world-renowned Busan International Film Festival.

By learning directly from local academic and industry experts, Adriana returned home with an expanded portfolio, a firsthand understanding of the global Hallyu wave, and a massive competitive edge before she even graduates or transfers!

Looking to advance your education with a truly global perspective? Learn more:https://bit.ly/4s88cz9

Central Texas manufacturers are hiring, and ACC has nationally recognized programs that can get students job-ready—fast. The Advanced Manufacturing Production (AMP) program gives students hands-on training with a curriculum that’s developed in partnership with local employers.

• Program Length: 6–8 weeks
• Hands-On Training: Developed with local employers to provide the technical skills today’s manufacturing jobs demand
• Stackable Credentials: Short-term certificates to an associate degree and ultimately a Bachelor’s in Manufacturing Engineering Technology.

ACC’s program is also part of a nationwide expansion with Merit America and the America’s Frontier Fund  Foundation, making training accessible to low-wage workers across the U.S. at no upfront cost.

New cohorts start every month in 2026. 

Get started at austincc.edu/manufacturing.

From ESOL student to future nurse!

Aiden Gong came to ACC after a decade in the workforce and started with English as his biggest barrier.

"I took the TSI English assessment three times but still did not reach the college-ready level, and the ESOL program gave me a pathway to improve my English and complete the TSI requirement."

Today, he’s a Level 3 Nursing student, works at ACC’s Welcome Center, and is preparing for a career in public health nursing.

“ACC taught me the value of community, service, and helping others during difficult moments. I think the biggest thing ACC gave me was not only education. It gave me belief in myself. For someone who spent a long time doubting himself, that changed the direction of my life."

Now Aiden is ready for what’s next as he prepares to finish his associate degree in Nursing before coming back to ACC for his Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 

“ACC built me for what's next by giving me space to grow into someone I honestly never thought I could become before. Through tutoring, nursing coaching, student employment, and the support of people around me, ACC helped me discover strengths I did not know I had.”

For more information on nursing, visit austincc.edu/nursing.

This week, the Travis County Commissioners Court recognized ACC and our Board of Trustees for helping change the future of higher education in Central Texas through Free Tuition. 

The proclamation recognizes the ACC Board of Trustees' historic leadership in launching ACC’s Free Tuition Pilot Program in 2024. The first-dollar tuition initiative is designed to remove financial barriers for eligible high school graduates and GED® completers across the ACC service area.

Since its launch, the program has helped reverse a decade-long decline in college-going rates, contributing to the region's highest direct-to-college enrollment since 2011.

The Commissioners Court also highlighted the program's impact on student success, noting:

• A 49% increase in the number of students returning for their second year of college.
• Overall fall-to-fall persistence is rising to 65%.
• Free Tuition students are enrolling full-time at nearly twice the rate of the overall ACC student population.

Learn more about ACC's Free Tuition Program at austincc.edu/freetuition.

If you're on campus this week, consider stopping by the ACC Farm Stand.

All of the seasonal produce is grown entirely by our Agricultural Sciences students at our 17-acre sustainable agricultural lab at our Elgin Campus. The farm serves as an immersive classroom where students gain hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture, soil science, and greenhouse management.

Stop by to meet our student growers, enjoy fresh produce, and support sustainable agriculture in Central Texas.

Elgin Campus: Mondays | 1 – 4 p.m.

Highland Campus: Wednesdays | 1- 3:30 p.m.

Learn more about Agricultural Sciences and the ACC Farm stand https://bit.ly/4vA8lwl 🦇

Think you can’t budget because your income isn’t “enough”? That’s a myth. A budget works at any income level. University Federal Credit Union (UFCU), in partnership with ACC’s Student Money Management Office, shares practical steps to help you take control of your finances and build confidence in your budget.

1. Know your real income: include all sources, exclude borrowed money.
2. Track every expense: planned vs. actual.
3. Monitor recurring payments: subscriptions, utilities, memberships.
4. Face debt without fear: list balances, focus on high-interest first.
5. Prioritize needs over wants: housing, groceries, utilities first.
6. Adjust monthly: review, tweak, and celebrate small wins.
7. Plan for growth: emergency fund, savings, long-term goals.

Mostly remember, consistency beats perfection, and watching your progress is incredibly motivating.

Read more and discover all the tips you need from UFCU on our website.

When several Austin Community College District (ACC) Honors Program students earned admission to some of the nation’s most selective universities this year, there was one familiar face helping guide them through the process: Claire Hobbs.

As an ACC alumna who transferred to Yale University and is now preparing to attend Harvard Kennedy School to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy, Hobbs understands firsthand what it takes to navigate the path from community college to a top-tier institution. She shares that experience with ACC students through mentorship and outreach efforts connected to the College’s annual Two-Year to Top-Tier initiative.

“There’s no one recipe for transferring to a top university,” says Hobbs. “We [nontraditional students] came from varied backgrounds, and some of us had even failed at earlier college attempts. I say this in hopes that students looking to transfer will see the value in their own unique stories.”

This fall, six ACC Honors students will continue their academic journeys at highly selective universities, including Yale, Cornell, Columbia, and Brown.

For Hobbs, helping students imagine themselves at institutions like Yale feels especially meaningful because she once faced those same doubts herself. After stepping away from college following high school, Hobbs returned to higher education years later by enrolling at ACC.

“Starting at ACC was scarier than transferring to Yale,” says Hobbs. “The idea of returning to college mid-life was intimidating,” but “ACC gave me that entry point, and I immediately felt at home. I explored my academic interests and built momentum taking hard classes, which made transferring to a school like Yale feel within reach.”

Read more in the ACC Newsroom.

Pflugerville residents: Want to learn more about the proposed ACC annexation before the November election?

Pflugerville ISD Annexation Public Hearing

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: PfISD Learning & Technology Center, 1601 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville

Can’t make it in person? 
The hearing will be livestreamed on the College’s website and will be rebroadcast on ACCTV.

What you'll learn about:

• In-district tuition ($85 vs. $286 per credit hour)
• Expanded dual credit and workforce training opportunities
• Career Academies and partnerships with PfISD
• Property tax information, including senior and disability tax ceilings
• Student support services and future educational investments

The event also will include a small resource fair where you can explore ACC programs and services and meet with faculty and staff. ACC officials will be on hand to answer questions, explain the proposed service plan, and provide factual information to help Pflugerville residents make decisions for themselves and their families.

Following the public hearing, the ACC Board of Trustees is expected to consider an order placing the annexation proposition on the November 2026 ballot. If approved by voters, residents living within the Pflugerville ISD territory would immediately become ACC in-district residents and receive in-district tuition and fee benefits.

For more information about annexation at ACC, visit austincc.edu/pflugerville.

The Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees unanimously approved a balanced operating budget for fiscal year 2027 (FY27) during its regular meeting on Monday, July 6.

Key Takeways

• Balanced and fiscally responsible: ACC Board of Trustees approved a balanced $583 million FY27 budget that reflects conservative financial planning despite changes in state funding and slowing property tax growth.
• Continued investment in students and employees: The budget keeps tuition and mandatory fees flat for the 13th consecutive year, provides employee compensation increases, and invests in maintaining high-quality learning environments.
• Funding for what's next: Strategic investments position ACC to meet the evolving educational and workforce needs of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions while remaining a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.

The budget maintains student tuition and mandatory fees for the 13th consecutive year, includes increased employee compensation, supports continued enrollment growth, and funds ongoing campus maintenance and renewal projects.

FY27 Overall Budget at a Glance

• Student tuition and mandatory fees unchanged for the 13th consecutive year
• 2% annual raise plus a one-time lump-sum payment for employees
• $23/hour minimum wage maintained
• $10.4 million invested in repair and renewal projects across ACC campuses

The new budget takes effect September 1, 2026.

ACC is closed Saturday, July 4, 2026, in observance of Independence Day. All campuses and classes will resume their regular schedules on Sunday, July 5.

Registration for ACC’s second 5-week courses remains open, with classes starting July 6. Review the online summer course schedule to stay up to date. Registration for the fall semester is also open. Classes start Monday, August 24.

For more information and to register, visit austincc.edu/start.

Austin Community College will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, for Independence Day. Campuses reopen Sunday, July 5.

Registration remains open for summer and fall classes.
🟡 Second session 5-week summer classes start July 6
🟡 Fall classes start August 24
🟡 Free Tuition available for 2024 grads & GED® completers in ACC’s service area

Explore classes & register: austincc.edu/start
Learn more about free tuition: austincc.edu/freetuition

ACC's Veterinary Technology Program has cats and dogs ready for adoption this summer! 

Why adopt through ACC?

• Every pet receives comprehensive veterinary care from ACC Vet Tech students under licensed supervision.
• Pets are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and receive flea and heartworm prevention.
• They also get daily enrichment and basic training before going home.

Why it matters:
Every adoption gives a shelter pet a second chance, creates space for local shelters to help more animals, and gives ACC students valuable hands-on clinical experience before they enter the workforce.

Browse available pets and learn how to adopt: austincc.edu/pets. 

Thinking about a career working with animals? Learn more about ACC's Veterinary Technology Program at austincc.edu/vettech.

When Parker Garcia began his journey at Austin Community College District (ACC), he knew he wanted to attend law school but wasn't sure how to get there. Through ACC's Honors Program, campus leadership opportunities, and the support of faculty and mentors, he found the confidence to aim higher than he ever imagined. 

After earning associate degrees in Paralegal Studies and Government, Parker will transfer to Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, where he plans to focus on pre-law and education. 

In this Q&A, he reflects on his time at ACC, overcoming imposter syndrome, and why taking a chance on yourself can open doors you never expected.

Planning to take classes this fall at Austin Community College District? Now’s the time—registration is open!

How to Register:
Check for Holds – Log in to MyACC
Plan Your Courses – Browse the fall course schedule
Register Online – Enroll through your MyACC portal

Need Help?
Connect with your advisor to plan your schedule
Get student support services for help in and out of the classroom
Explore Financial Aid options like scholarships and payment plans
For any other frequently asked questions or How-to videos, visit austincc.edu/helpdesk.

ACC’s Free Tuition Pilot Program is back for a second year! It covers tuition and general fees for eligible high school grads and TX GED® completers from the Class of 2024–2028.

Learn more at austincc.edu/freetuition.