The Crockett-ACC Automotive Center is a partnership between Austin Independent School District and Austin Community College District to expand the community's access to highly skilled workers in auto systems maintenance and service as well as autobody repair and refinishing. 

The center provides opportunities for high school students to begin automotive training starting their freshman year and allows ACC to expand the college's high-demand Automotive Technology and Auto Collision and Refinishing programs by holding evening and weekend classes there.

CY-Press - Newsletter

Spring Semester 2008 Edition

New Courses at the CYP Campus

Automotive Electrical/Electronics Classes

Students interested in ACC’s Automotive Technology program have had to travel to the Riverside Campus to begin classes in this field. Fortunately, Automotive Electrical Systems, (the basic course a student must take to continue the automotive technology classes), is being offered for the first time at the CYP Campus. This class and the Automotive Electronics class are two Automotive Technology classes that are portable enough to be taught at campuses other than the Riverside campus where there are facilities for the mechanical courses

Bill Kibbe is demonstrating the useof the oscilloscope to diagnose engine problems. Each student spends approximately 90% of class time using the equipment.

Bill, a veteran trainer from the auto industry and a life-long car enthusiast, brings his knowledge and the necessary equipment needed for the electronics classes to the CYP campus. As a teenager working on cars, he became interested in car clubs. Soon, he was writing articles for other car enthusiasts, especially Alfa Romeo and Porsche owners. In 1989, Bill began work with the Ford Motor Company as a national trainer. Luckily, he brought his knowledge and experience to share with students at ACC.

Many of his students are just beginning college and others are going back to school to change careers. Tim Carter is one of the students returning to change careers. He already has a degree in Agricultural Engineering and is retired from the Chrysler Corporation; but, he wants to share his knowledge and experience by teaching. Tim is taking the courses he needs in the Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology program to obtain the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications enabling him to teach. Tim praises Mr. Kibbe as a great teacher who makes the classes very enjoyable.

Editor:   Suzanne Ortiz                Photographer: Sherri Bassett-Pearson