10+ years in the making: ACC celebrates grand opening of Highland Campus

Highland Grand Opening Graphic

Meet us at Austin Community College District’s (ACC) newest campus. More than a decade in the making, ACC celebrates the grand opening of its flagship Highland Campus (6101 Highland Campus Dr.) with a celebration and community open house.

ACC Highland Community Open House
Date: Saturday, April 23
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What: Doors open for the entire community to see the campus first-hand and explore what’s happening at Highland that’s drawing national attention. The open house features hands-on demonstrations, interactive tours, panel discussions, workshops, employer meet-and-greets, and custom support applying, registering, and paying for classes.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/openhouse.

ACC Highland Campus History

ACC began purchasing parts of Highland Mall – Austin’s first indoor shopping mall which opened in the heart of Austin in 1971–– in 2011. The historic mall closed in 2015. The campus now serves as a regional hub for higher education collaboration and workforce training.

One of the first of its kind, ACC’s project has served as a model and continues to inspire other community colleges and universities across the country. Voters approved two general obligation bonds in November 2014, representing $386 million in collegewide capital improvements. Approximately $152.8 million was allocated for ACC Highland Phase 2, which was completed on budget. 

The campus will be home to more than 20 programs, four incubators, Creative Digital Media Center, Performing Arts venues, STEM Regional Simulation Center, a student-run restaurant, and more. 

ACC Highland Campus will be 1,200,000 square feet and house 21,000 students. 

For more information, visit austincc.edu/highland.