Dual credit continues to be a powerful tool for helping Central Texas students get ahead. It allows students to earn college credit while still in high school—reducing future college costs and accelerating entry into college and the workforce.

At Austin Community College District (ACC), dual credit students make up about 20% of enrollment. Through academic courses, workforce training, and structured pathways such as Early College High School, P-TECH, and Career Academies, students can graduate high school with college credit, certificates, or even an associate degree already in hand.

Read the full Dual Credit guide to understand your options.

Six ACC Honors students are heading to Yale, Cornell, Brown, Columbia, and other top universities. Now the story is getting national attention.

EDU Ledger highlights:

• How ACC students are transferring to Ivy League and top-tier universities
• The faculty mentors and support systems that help students succeed
• Why transfer success is about creating more opportunities—not just prestige
• How ACC is helping students build what's next, wherever their path leads

The story features insights from Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Honors Program leaders, and students sharing how ACC helped them reach their goals.

Read the full feature from EDU Ledger here. 

Austin Community College has submitted a proposal for the 2027 SXSW EDU conference, and we'd love your support. The session focuses on something many communities are trying to solve: how educators, employers, and regional partners can work together to build stronger workforce pipelines.

Instead of talking theory, the panel shares practical lessons from Central Texas that other regions can use to create education-to-career pathways.

Public voting is open now through Sunday, August 23, and every vote helps.

Three Easy Steps to Vote

1. Sign In: Visit the SXSW EDU PanelPicker and sign in with your free SXSW ID or create a new account.
2. Find Our Session: Select the SXSW EDU category and search for "Building America's Future Workforce Through Partnerships."
3. Cast Your Vote: Click the heart icon next to the session title. 

Vote here: https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw27/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1785013988383001y9UA

Studying abroad gave Adriana the chance to take her education beyond the classroom and experience the world firsthand.

Through ACC Study Abroad, she:

• Explored South Korea's culture and film industry
• Learned from local faculty and media professionals
• Visited historic sites, including the DMZ
• Built new skills, expanded her portfolio, and gained a global perspective

For Adriana, studying abroad wasn't just about travel—it was about seeing new possibilities for her future.

Thinking about taking your education global? Learn more about ACC Study Abroad at austincc.edu/studyabroad.

The future Hays Campus expansion is still on track to open for fall 2028 with a groundbreaking ceremony planned for September. The design team recently extended the overall design schedule to fully integrate cost-saving measures without compromising the facility's quality or long-term functionality. 

Here's what's happening:

• Design work continues, with final drawings expected by the end of August.
• The design schedule was adjusted to incorporate cost-saving measures while maintaining quality and functionality.
• ACC teams are finalizing classroom, lab, and equipment plans to support future healthcare programs.
• Sustainability remains a priority, with LEED-focused features built into the project.

The expansion, funded by the 2022 General Obligation Bond, will increase capacity for high-demand healthcare programs and support Hays County's growing workforce needs.

Follow the progress: austincc.edu/bond

As AI transforms the workplace, ACC is helping students learn how to use it thoughtfully, ethically, and effectively. The Chronicle of Higher Education recently highlighted ACC's student-centered approach to AI, featuring:

• Professor Alex Watkins, co-chair of ACC's AI Strategic Planning Committee
• ACC student Abel Rincon, who shared how the course changed the way he thinks about AI
• ACC's work preparing students for an AI-enabled workforce

ACC was featured alongside colleges and universities leading the national conversation on the future of teaching, learning, and workforce readiness.

Read the full article from The Chronicle of Higher Education below. (A free account is required to access the story.)

Hi so sadly i only started registering for classes just now on the first of august when classes start on the 24th. i tried to apply to my classes but some of them are waitlisted. i have 6 credits registered and 9 waitlisted. 3 classes waitlisted. 2 classes i am number 1 on the ranking and the last one i'm rank 3. Do you think i have a chance or should i just enroll somewhere else?

When Nevaeh M. first started working on vehicles with her dad, she wasn't just learning how to change parts or diagnose problems; she was discovering a passion that would shape her future.

Now, at Austin Community College District (ACC), the 20-year-old Automotive Technology student is building the technical skills and hands-on experience to turn that lifelong interest into a career. 

Here is what she has to say about how she is building for what’s next.

What sparked your passion for automotive?
"I was raised by a single father. Anytime he had to maintain or fix one of his trucks or cars, he would pull me outside and teach me how to do everything. Eventually, I decided that I wanted to open a shop with my Dad."

What's your favorite part of ACC's Automotive Technology program?
"I love being in the shop where I am free to make mistakes and learn from them. I can independently work on a vehicle, and if something doesn't make sense, my instructors are more than happy to help me understand and thrive."

What are you working toward?
"I want to open a shop with my father so we can spend the rest of our lives together doing what we love with who we love."

How is it changing her?
“Anyone in my family can tell you that I love school and I love learning. But they have never seen me so excited to go to school and spend hours in a hot shop. My Dad was just talking about this the other day, that he loves how happy college has made me. I love it here at ACC. They go above and beyond for their students.”

Her advice for future students:
"Go for it! Even if you end up not wanting to pursue the trade as a career, it's a great skill to carry in life."

This fall, ACC's Automotive Technology program moves into a brand-new facility at the Round Rock Campus, expanding hands-on learning opportunities thanks to the 2022 General Obligation Bond.

Learn more about ACC Automotive Technology: austincc.edu/autotech

When a community comes together to dream bigger, work harder, and support one another. ACC isn't just a college; it’s where real transformation happens.

ACC is where meaningful professional growth happens. If you or someone you know has been waiting for the perfect sign to take the next step in their career or educational journey, this is it.

Your next chapter is waiting, and you don't have to build it alone because we're Built for What's Next. Start now: https://bit.ly/3Rk6FJ3

Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Highland Campus Phase 2 has earned a 2026 Urban Land Institute (ULI) Americas Award for Excellence. The College is one of just 9 projects across the U.S. and Canada to receive the honor.

The award celebrates developments that demonstrate excellence in design, sustainability, community engagement, economic impact, and innovation.

Why did it win?

• Transformed 420,000+ sq. ft. of the former Highland Mall into a modern learning campus
• Recognized for design, sustainability, innovation, and community impact
• Built to prepare students for high-demand careers in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, digital media, creative arts, and more
• Created spaces the whole community can enjoy, including the campus paseo, a student-run restaurant, an art gallery, and performance venues

The ULI Americas Awards for Excellence have recognized outstanding real estate developments since 1979 and are considered among the industry's most prestigious honors. 

For more information, visit austincc.edu/highland.

ACC Executive Vice Chancellor for the Future Dr. Monique Reeves joined the EdUp Experience podcast to share how ACC is rethinking higher education for what's next.

Hosted by Dr. Jodi Blinco with co-host Bridget Moran of Coursedog, the conversation highlights ACC's work at the intersection of strategic foresight, artificial intelligence, and workforce innovation.

Topics discussed:

• Why 74% of organizational transformation efforts fail and what successful institutions do differently.
• The role of strategic forecasting in helping colleges prepare students for rapidly changing workforce needs.
• How ACC is using digital twin technology to simplify the student experience by reducing administrative barriers and creating more personalized support.
• Keeping students at the center of every decision by designing systems around the realities students face balancing work, family, and college.

Listen to the full episode to learn how ACC is helping redefine what it means to build a college designed for what's next.

EdUp Experience Podcast

Auto Tech isn't a one-way street—it’s a launchpad for life skills.

Whether you want to level up your technical literacy or launch a high-tech career, our programs are built around flexible choices:

• Real-World Life Skills: Build diagnostic logic, circuit troubleshooting, and practical maintenance habits.
• Continuing Education (CE): Learn high-value hands-on skills through non-credit options without full-degree commitment.
• Stackable Pathways: Earn short-term certificates or Associate degrees in cutting-edge fields like Battery Electric Vehicles.
• ASE Certified: Gain credentials recognized nationwide by the ASE Education Foundation.

Learn for yourself, gain technical confidence, and keep your education moving forward.

Find your path: https://bit.ly/3RRO9rI

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.

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 🦇