Austin Community College’s Developmental Education program is referenced as an exemplary model for a decentralized program in new book What Works: Research-Based Best Practices in Developmental Education, by Hunter Boylan.

ACC and Texas State University at San Marcos co-hosted the TEXAAN conference (Texas Academic Advising Network) in March at the Red Lion Hotel. ACC Advising Supervisor Mario Tenorio served as conference chair, and most of the planning committee was ACC staff. They included Advising Specialist Stephanie Atkins, Advising Technical Office Assistant Nina Estes, Student Development Professor Linda Moeller, Student Development Professor Emma Moore, Student Services Specialist Marissa Burill, Advising Supervisor Douglas Garrett, Advising Specialist Maribel Tostado, and Student Services Specialist Kathy Grimmett.

Technical Communications Department Chair David McMurrey gave a presentation on writing March 9 as part of the IBM’s monthly teleconference series “Talk Radio,” for IBM employees and business partners.

Creative Writing Professor Dorothy Barnett is coordinating the third annual Round Top Poetry Celebration May 1-2 at the International Festival-Institute at Round Top. The festival’s topic is “Language of Healing: Renewal and the Spirit,” and sessions will include readings, panel discussions, workshops, open mike events, and spoken word in performance. See http://festivalhill.org/PoetryForumPR.html for details and a schedule.

Executive Dean Tom Applegate has

• Addressed reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act in hearings March 23 before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Service, Education, and Related Agencies and during a recent webcast sponsored by the National Center for Dissemination in Career and Technical Education.
• Participated in a National Press Club media briefing March 17 on “America’s Future Depends Upon a Highly Skilled and Educated Workforce.”
• Been selected by the U.S. Department of Education to serve on the national advisory committee for a new project, “Building Partnerships in Workforce Development: A High Growth Careers Leadership Institute for State Teams.”

Physics adjunct instructor David Potter has published the article The Discovery of Electron Diffraction in the April issue of “Electronics World” magazine.

The National Council for Marketing and Public Relations has presented three Paragon Awards for outstanding achievement in communications to ACC’s Marketing and College Relations Department and Public Information and Media Relations Department. ACC’s efforts won in the following categories

• Video Advertisement/PSA Series, silver – Pre-election TV ad campaign

• Community Relations Project, bronze – “Grassroots and Poodle Vests” campaign wrap-up

• Media Success Story, silver – Building and Construction Technology’s partnership with Travis County Jail

Mary Hensley, associate vice president of instructional support services, coordinated ACC’s award of a $2 million grant with HCA, the corporate parent of St. David’s Healthcare Partnership. The U.S. Department of Labor provided the grant to support specialty area training for nurses as part of a Bush administration initiative for job training in high demand areas. Three ACC representatives: Yvonne VanDyke, dean of the Health Sciences Division, Sandra Gaskin, dean of the Continuing Education Division, and Kirk White, chair of the Health Professions Institute—recently traveled to Fort Lauderdale to meet with Labor Department officials regarding the grant.

The International Business Center of Austin has named ACC’s International Business Institute as one of three finalists for the ICA Gus Garcia Award for Education. In their first year, the ICA awards honor contributions to international development of Austin’s business, education, and culture. Winners will be announced April 17.

Financial Aid Director Terry Bazan addressed the Texas Senate’s Subcommittee on Higher Education March 29 regarding financial aid.