Entries filed under the ‘Official ACC Press Releases’ Category
Danish students at ACC
The Austin Community College District is hosting 23 Danish students who are getting a taste of life in the Texas capital. ACC created a program for the group called “Uniquely Austin,” which combines Texas-themed classes with field trips around the city and state.
The students wrap up their stay on November 6 after spending a month at ACC, taking Texas literature and history classes along with a civil rights history course and video game development classes. They have documented their experiences with photographs and video.
The students get into the UT football game
Halloween on Sixth Street was a favorite among the students.
“In Denmark, we have something similar to Halloween, but only the kids dress up,” said student Søren Elmely Pettersson. “Downtown Austin was packed with thousands of people in crazy costumes. It was awesome. It’s something I will remember with joy for many years to come.”
Students also attended a UT football game.
“It’s been very interesting to see the students’ reactions to our culture,” says ACC’s Katrina Gadison, who helped coordinate the program. “What seems normal to us is an adventure for them – it’s like discovering what’s so neat about Austin all over again.”
This is the third year Danish students have participated in “Uniquely Austin.”
Posted on 11/03/2009 in ACC Newsroom, Official ACC Press Releases | No Comments »
Austin Community College and the Mexican American Cultural Center are co-hosting The Big Read Closing Ceremony and Day of the Dead Celebration on Sunday, November 1, from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), 600 River St.
The all-ages celebration features live entertainment from the ACC Dance Department as well as exhibits of children’s artwork and Day of the Dead altars inspired by the featured Big Read book, “Sun, Stone, and Shadows,” a Mexican short story collection. The event is free and open to the public.
“We hope readers of all ages who joined us for all or part of this unforgettable experience will come out for this last big celebration,” says Lyman Grant, dean of the ACC Arts and Humanities Division, which partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts to bring The Big Read to Austin.
The Big Read is a national initiative to encourage reading for pleasure.
ACC began The Big Read of “Sun, Stone, and Shadows” on Mexican Independence Day, September 16, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. The book is a collection of short stories by Mexican authors and speaks to the college’s awareness of and commitment to the region’s growing Hispanic community.
“Everyone is aware on some level of Mexico’s powerful contribution to Austin’s cultural life. With The Big Read, and this book in particular, we want to emphasize the depth and breadth Mexico’s literary richness and its importance to all Austin citizens,” Grant says.
ACC hosted 55 different Big Read events over seven weeks, according to Spanish Professor Rosa Dávila, who coordinated the program for the college.
“Our main goal was to encourage people to read,” Dávila says. “Our partners, our students at ACC, and the general public have welcomed with open arms our program and the message that we are promoting.”
People of all ages participated in The Big Read, with events held at the MACC, the Austin Public Library, and area schools and bookstores.
“I believe that our greatest accomplishment has been the interest and excitement that this program has created in the community,” Dávila says. “It has crossed barriers of race, generation, and language.”
Dávila gives special thanks to the partners, volunteers, and participants for making The Big Read an unforgettable experience.
“It is a great feeling to know that Austin’s community has embraced our mission of bringing culture and reading closer to them,” she says.
###
About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 40,000 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”
Posted on 10/30/2009 in ACC Newsroom, Official ACC Press Releases | No Comments »
The ACC Drama Department’s production of “Under the Gaslight” opened Friday, October 30, at the Rio Grande Campus Mainstage Theater. Performances are held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November 8.
Performance Schedule:
- Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, November 1 at 2 p.m.
- Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7 at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, November 8 at 2 p.m.
Augustin Daly’s “Under the Gaslight: A Totally Original and Picturesque Drama of Life and Love in These Times” is set in 1867 New York. A young woman is jilted by her lover when he discovers that she was adopted into a family of high society and actually comes from humble beginnings. She runs away and comes under the control of the play’s villain, which sets off a dramatic sequence of events.
The production features a cast of 24, nine locations, and live music. Images are available upon request.
Rio Grande’s Mainstage Theater is located at 1212 Rio Grande Street, on the second floor of the main building. Admission: suggested donation of $6.
###
About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 40,000 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”
Posted on 10/29/2009 in ACC Homepage Announcements, ACC Newsroom, Official ACC Press Releases | No Comments »
Faculty with the Austin Community College District’s Division of Arts and Humanities now have work on display in Texas Performing Arts’ Bass Concert Hall.
The 2009 ACC Faculty Show features 39 pieces of art from 39 faculty artists. The show includes paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, textiles, clay, metalwork, and sculpture.
The Bass Concert Hall is located at the corner of Robert Dedman Drive and 23rd Street. The show’s opening reception is scheduled for Friday, October 30 from 6 – 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
This is the third time ACC faculty artwork has been shown in Bass Concert Hall. The works will be on display in the lobby through January 15.
For more information, call 223-3262.
###
About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 40,000 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”
Posted on 10/29/2009 in ACC Newsroom, Official ACC Press Releases | No Comments »
The Austin Community College District is looking for a mascot – and we want your input! The college is asking students, faculty/staff, and the community to contribute mascot ideas.
“We think this is going to build school spirit and give ACC a lasting tradition,” says Avy Gonzalez, Student Government Association Parliamentarian and co-chair of the mascot search committee. “It’s cool to be part of something that will have a big impact at ACC long after we finish school.”
The college set up a web page, austincc.edu/mascot, to take suggestions. Ideas submitted so far include bats, armadillos, and owls – along with some more irreverent suggestions. The public will vote on the mascot in the spring. The top vote-getter will be presented to the college for review and board approval.
“We’re looking for something that genuinely resonates with the community,” says Brette Lea, executive director of Public Information and College Marketing and co-chair of the mascot committee. “It is so important to build a college-going culture, and the mascot will be a key part of that. A mascot creates a sense of excitement tied to education and makes people feel more connected to the college.”
ACC will be at the Texas Book Festival at the State Capitol this weekend to take your mascot suggestions. Visit ACC’s tent near 10th and Congress on Saturday, October 31 (from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Sunday, November 1 (from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
You can also submit suggestions through December 4 at austincc.edu/mascot. The page includes links to follow the search on Facebook and Twitter.
In researching the college’s history, it was discovered that at one point ACC did have a mascot – an eagle, with school colors of black and gold. That lasted for a short period of time in the 1970s.
“We want to be very thorough in the search process, so that we find a mascot that really takes root,” says Lea. “Who knows, the eagle may make a comeback.”
The mascot search is a collaboration of the Student Government Association, Student Life, and the Public Information and College Marketing Department.
###
About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 40,000 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”
Posted on 10/29/2009 in ACC Newsroom, Official ACC Press Releases | No Comments »
In an affirmation of the Austin Community College District’s financial strength, Standard & Poor’s has raised the college’s bond rating from A to AA-. That is an increase of two rating levels.
“This is a testament to the college’s financial strength, at a time when much of the nation’s economy is in a recession,” says Dr. Stephen B. Kinslow, ACC president/CEO. “We are responsibly managing the funds entrusted to us by district taxpayers and students.”
Standard & Poor’s says the upgrade reflects ACC’s consistently strong financial operations, increasing enrollment, and a tax base that has grown due to the college’s recent annexation of Round Rock into the district.
The AA- rating makes ACC eligible for lower interest rates on the college’s bond issues. Standard & Poor’s also gave the AA- rating and stable outlook to the college’s 2009 revenue and refunding bonds, worth nearly $40 million. Upon approval by the Board of Trustees, those bonds will be used to help the college “land bank” – the process of seeking land purchase opportunities in areas where the college may grow.
###
About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 40,000 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”
Posted on 10/26/2009 in ACC Homepage Announcements, ACC Newsroom, Official ACC Press Releases | No Comments »
The Austin Community College District is canceling classes at ACC’s Pinnacle Campus in Oak Hill through Wednesday, October 21, as electricians make necessary repairs following a small electrical fire.
Students are encouraged to check with your instructor regarding the rescheduling of classes for 10/19 through 10/21. You can also check your course’s Blackboard site for additional class information.
The cancellation affects only the Pinnacle Campus; all other ACC campuses are operating as usual.
Austin fire crews responded to Pinnacle on Wednesday, October 14 at about 6:30 a.m. after a fire alarm was activated. A small fire contained to one electrical box in a mechanical room on the 9th floor caused an electrical outage. The campus was not open at the time.
Firefighters found an odor of smoke on that floor but no flames, and they left the campus after determining that there was no further fire danger. Electricians are inspecting the electrical systems and making needed repairs. Some equipment in the mechanical room must be replaced; this equipment needs to be ordered and installed, which will take a few days.
ACC is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Classes are expected to resume at Pinnacle on Thursday, October 22.
“Our highest priority is for the safety and security of ACC faculty, staff, and students,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Executive Vice President of College Operations. “Given the anticipated timeline for repairs, and proceeding with the greatest assurance that the building is ready for re-occupancy, we have set a goal of re-opening the Pinnacle Campus for Thursday morning, October 22nd. There are some unknown variables that exist, which could surface as we progress through the equipment installations and operational security checks. Therefore, if changes to our timeline occur, I will inform students, faculty, and staff immediately.
The latest information can always be found on ACC’s homepage, austincc.edu.
Posted on 10/14/2009 in ACC Newsroom, Official ACC Press Releases | 3 Comments »
The Austin Community College District Board of Trustees voted Monday night to approve a pilot program that will provide free Capital Metro bus passes to ACC students, faculty, and staff (pending approval by Capital Metro’s Board of Directors). The initiative, called “Green Pass,” is intended to help students get to class, ease parking congestion, and reduce ACC’s carbon footprint while gathering important ridership data.
In an agreement reached with Capital Metro, the college will be charged a discount rate per ride. The goal of the pilot program is to collect ridership data, gauge interest in free use of mass transit, and assess the need for new routes.
“This is just one example of our commitment to minimizing ACC’s impact on the environment,” says Andy Kim, the college’s director of environmental stewardship. “We appreciate the vision of the Board of Trustees and the enthusiastic support from students and employees.”
ACC will launch the Green Pass effort for the spring 2010 semester. Beginning in January, the college will issue Capital Metro passes to students, faculty, and staff, who can use bus service (and rail service, when it comes online) at no cost to them.
“This new ridership program will benefit not only the students, but the environment as well, and ACC students are always trying to find new and innovative ways to improve life using green practices,” says Joshua Bacak, president of the college’s Student Government Association.
The initial cost of the program will be $250,000, covered by funds from the parking fee increase that went into effect this fall.
Visit austincc.edu/sustainability for more information on Green Pass and other ACC sustainability initiatives.
###
About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 40,000 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”
Posted on 10/05/2009 in ACC Newsroom, Official ACC Press Releases | 20 Comments »
The Austin Community College District will host 100 Del Valle 5th graders on Friday, October 2 for a Celebration of Education. Sponsored by ACC’s Latino/Latin American Studies Center (El Centro) and the Office of Student Success, the event encourages elementary age children to start thinking about college.
“We want to create a positive college experience for these students,” says Dr. Mariano Diaz-Miranda, director of El Centro. “It is never too early to stress the value of higher education. The Celebration of Education gives these fifth graders an opportunity to experience a little of what ACC has to offer.”
Students will tour portions of ACC’s Eastview Campus and enjoy a special presentation by Nacho Estrada, a ventriloquist, motivator, and educational consultant who stresses drop-out prevention and saying no to drugs.
This is the third year that ACC has partnered with the Del Valle Independent School District for the Celebration of Education. Another event is scheduled for October 16.
###
About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 40,000 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”
Posted on 10/01/2009 in ACC Homepage Announcements, ACC Newsroom, Official ACC Press Releases | No Comments »
The Austin Community College District will host “Latinas in America,” a collaborative reading, Thursday (10/1/09) at the Rio Grande Campus Mainstage Theater. The event, part of ACC’s Big Read program, features National Book Award finalist Cristina García and acclaimed Spanish-language translator Liliana Valenzuela. The pair will perform selections from their own works, including García’s novel, “A Handbook to Luck.”
“The Latino experience straddles multiple worlds, two languages, and at least two cultures,” says Valenzuela, who translated the novel. “Authors like García portray this world in all its diversity, complexity, and richness. Through a Spanish translation we make the novel available to entire Latino families, where some members may prefer to read it in English and others in Spanish.”
ACC partnered with the National Endowment for the Arts to bring the Big Read to Central Texas this fall. The program, which encourages reading on college campuses and throughout the community, is based around “Sun, Stone, and Shadows,” an anthology of Mexican short stories. The Big Read includes many events, including Thursday’s collaborative reading, that promote Latino heritage and culture.
The collaborative reading is free and open to the public. For information on other Big Read events, visit austincc.edu/bigread.
###
About the Austin Community College District (austincc.edu):
ACC, Central Texas’ community college, is the primary gateway to higher education and career training for residents in eight counties. The college provides access to affordable, quality education. ACC enrolls more than 40,000 credit students, offering university transfer courses, two-year associate degrees, certificates, Early College Start, access programs that get students “college-ready,” and continuing education. At ACC you can “Start here. Get there.”
Posted on 10/01/2009 in ACC Homepage Announcements, ACC Newsroom, Official ACC Press Releases | No Comments »
