Events

2024 Spring Events Open to ACC

MLK March (Open to Everyone)

UPDATE: MARCH WAS CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER

In collaboration with the Truth, Racial, Healing, and Transformation Center, we invite you to join us for the Annual Community MLK March at the University of Texas. As an incentive, there will be Gift Cards for the first 20 ACC students on site, along with a raffle for 2 APPLE TV devices!  Feel free to invite your friends, family, and mentor (if applicable) as this event is open to the community! 

Meeting Point: 1501 Congress Ave (at 15th St.) at UT’s Dr. MLK Statue! Look for Darrell Merriweather waving the ACC flag/banner. 

SEXucation SEXsion (Open to Everyone)

SEX, SEX, SEX! Got Your Attention? Great—Now Let’s Talk: Say goodbye to clichés! Professionals will be presenting on their areas of expertise, including the rights and responsibilities in Title IX, the psychological aspects of intimacy, and insights on the prevention and awareness of STDs. You will have the opportunity to ask anonymous your sex questions, concerns, and curiosities.

Wednesday, Feb. 14th, Noon-2 pm 

Location: 6101 Highland Campus Dr, Austin, TX 78752 ACC Highland Campus Bldg. 4000 Truth, Racial, Healing, Transformation Center (TRHTC)

Registration Closed

Virtual DACA Info Session (Open to Everyone)

Representatives from American Gateways will talk about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), recent changes to the federal program, and issues impacting DREAMers.

Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 10 am- 12pm, via Zoom

Registration Closed

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Informative Session (Open to Everyone)

Learn more about the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and its partnerships with federal agencies, internships, scholarships, support, leadership and career development programs, as well as student conferences and summits.

Friday, April 19th via Zoom

Register Here

2024 Spring Calendar for Ascender Students and Mentors

Spring Semester Welcome!

Alejandra and/or Diana will visit classrooms the first week of class to go over the spring calendar, and give announcements and reminders. They will also take questions from students and take photos!

Affinity Teams Spring Kick Off (Mandatory for Ascender, BRASS, and Career Scholars students only)

Welcome Back! Join us for an opportunity to get connected with important ACC departments, and network with both faculty and returning students in the other affinity programs!

Friday, February 9th, 2024 11:00AM-2:00PM

Location: Highland Campus, Building 2000, Presentation Hall Room 1550

Registration Closed

Scholarships and Smooth Transitions (Only for Ascender Students in ENGL 1302)

During the Ascender ENGL 1302 class times, a Financial Aid representative will talk about the new Financial Aid changes and go over scholarship opportunities and how to apply for several local and national scholarships. A Transfer Services representative will also talk about the transfer process, upcoming tours, and inform students of the benefits of transferring. Find the exact dates for each class below.

For students who are not taking these classes, the coordinator will provide the powerpoint presentations in an email so students can have all of the resources given.

Professor Section Synonym Date/Time
Jessica Listi 82817 047 Thursday, January 18th, 2 pm – 3:30 pm
Tina Buck 75243 129 Thursday, January 18th, 10:30 am – 11:50 am
Carrza Dubose 75176 042 Wednesday, January 17th, 10:30 am – 11:50 am
Amanda Rogers 75258 146 Tuesday, January 23rd, 10:30 am – 11:50 am
David Rice 75233 117 Monday, February 5, 9 am – 10:20 am

Career Day (Mandatory for Ascender Students and Mentors)

Practice your interview skills with a mock interview. Gain useful and important information that will help you apply for jobs and get familiar with the hiring process. This will also be useful in transferring to a 4-year university. Business casual attire is strongly recommended.

Note: It is advised to attend the session that corresponds with your cohort, but the student and mentor are welcome to attend on any date that works best for both.

12 PM- 2PM

  • RVS and SAC Cohort: Friday, March 22nd at the South Austin Campus Room #1319
  • HYS Cohort: Friday, April 5th at Hays Campus Room #1319
  • HLC Cohort: Friday, April 12th at the Highland Campus #TRHTC

Register Here

9th Annual Ascender Celebración! (Mandatory for Ascender Students, Faculty, Staff, and Mentors)

We are delighted to invite you to the 9th Annual “Celebración”, the Ascender Catch the Next closing ceremony event,  to commemorate the outstanding accomplishments of our students completing their first year of college.

The ceremony will take place at Austin PBS on Thursday, May 2nd, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Adding to the excitement, students will be presented with their Ascender Graduation stole and professors and staff will receive a recognition all in a festive atmosphere!

RSVP Coming Soon

CTN Annual Motivational Conference (Optional for Ascender Students ONLY)

Catch the Next’s Transfer Motivational Conference is designed to introduce community college students to university life experiences and to motivate them to transfer to a four-year university. This conference will enable students to gain insight from university representatives and guest speakers on topics such as the admissions processes, financial aid, university transfer resources, and more.

  • June 6-8, 2024
  • The University of Texas at Austin

Register Here

2023 Fall Events Open to ACC

Mental Health is Not Taboo (Open to ALL Students, Faculty, and Staff)

In this session, students will have the opportunity to learn from counseling representatives about taboos in the Hispanic community regarding getting Mental Health Services and approaches on how to talk with family and friends about mental health.

Wednesday, October 4 from 1:30 – 2:30 pm at the Highland Campus Room# TRHTC

Registration: CLOSED

Altares y Ofrendas: Day of the Dead Altar Making (Open to ALL Students, Faculty, and Staff)

Join us in bringing this beautiful tradition of altar-making to life on our campus. Let’s honor our loved ones who have passed away and create something truly meaningful together. Students, faculty, and staff and welcome to help us set up the altar on our campuses and bring photocopies of loved ones.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 31st, 9 am -10 am at SAC
  • Tuesday, Oct. 31st, 12 pm -1 pm at HYS
  • Wednesday, Nov. 1st, 1:30pm – 2:30pm at HLC

Registration is Closed

CANTOS Y CALACAS: A Day of Poetry and Día de los Muertos Artistry (Open to ALL Students, Faculty, and Staff)

An opportunity for ACC Students, Faculty, and Staff to celebrate and honor the rich cultural tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) will poetry, art, prizes, a free Mexican street corn bar, and more!

Friday, November 3rd, from 12 PM – 2 PM at the ACC Highland Campus Bldg. 4000 TRHTC

Registration is Closed

Know Your Rights Session (Open to ALL)

In this session, a representative from American Gateways will explain your rights as an immigrant and safety planning in case you are ever stopped/detained by the police or an immigration officer. Everyone is welcome to join, but we ask that you RESPECT this presentation.

Saturday, November 18 from 10 am – 12 pm via Zoom

Registration: CLOSED

2023 Fall Calendar for Ascender Students and Mentors

New Mentor Orientation (Mandatory for new mentors only)

Welcome, Mentor! At this virtual orientation, you will receive information on the ASCENDER mentoring component and learn about your mentor role. All new participants must attend one direction to become a mentor. Zoom details will be sent out after registering.

*Mandatory for new mentors to attend; former mentors (2022-2023) are not required to attend

  • Tuesday, August 1, 12 pm – 1:30 pm
  • Thursday, August 3, 12 pm – 1:30 pm
  • Monday, August 7, 12 pm – 1:30 pm
  • Wednesday, August 9, 12 pm– 1:30 pm

Registration: CLOSED

New Student Orientation (Mandatory for students)

Welcome aboard, Ascender! Learn all about the program, including its mission, goals, and how ASCENDER will help you during your first year of college. Meet with your advisors, program staff, and instructors who will support you during your time at ACC. This is your time to prepare for the semester and ask any questions you have. Details will be sent after registering

*Mandatory for registered Ascender students to attend; only one session is required.

  • Friday, August 11, 9 am – 11:00 am HLC Room #TRHT
  • Friday, August 18, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm SAC Multipurpose Room #1130
  • Friday, August 25, 12:00 – 2:00 pm Virtual

Mentor-Mentee Matching (Mandatory for students and mentors)

It’s a Match! At this event, mentors and students will be introduced to one another and will participate in fun activities. Each pair will get familiar with one another to start a fun mentorship, will build goals for the student throughout the academic year, and will plan ways to meet during the first semester.

Note: It is advised to attend the session that corresponds with your cohort, but the student and mentor are welcome to attend on any date that works best for both.

*Mandatory for students and mentors to attend

  • HLC Cohort: Friday, September 8, from 12 – 2 pm @ HLC Room # TRHT
  • RVS Cohort: Friday, September 8, from 12 – 2 pm @ RVS Room # G8100
  • SAC Cohort: Friday, September 15, from 12 – 2 pm @ SAC Multipurpose Room #1130
  • HYS Cohort: Friday, September 15, 2023, from 12 – 2 pm @ HYS Room #1319

ONLY fill out the Registration Form if you have already been paired with a mentor/mentee.

Registration: CLOSED

Connecting Through ART (Open to current Ascender students, mentors, and alumni)

Ascender mentors, students, and alumni are invited to a special gallery program aligned with The Art Galleries at ACC’s exhibition Narrated Memories: Artwork by ACC Alumni Laurie Frick, Heather Parrish, and Michael Villarreal.This program will focus on exploring memories, storytelling, and building connections with one another through engaging with art.

Optional for current Ascender students and mentors

Friday, September 22 from 12pm – 1pm at the Highland Campus in Gallery 2000 (HLC 2.2450)

Registration: CLOSED

Noche de Familia (Mandatory for students and mentors)

The most exciting night of the semester! At this special event, students will bring their families and mentors together to introduce one another and discuss ways to support the student. Families will also get to learn about ACC, ASCENDER, and the mentoring component. Fun activities will take place and dinner will be served.

Note: It is advised to attend the session that corresponds with your cohort, but the student and mentor are welcome to attend on any date that works best for both.

*Mandatory for students and mentors to attend

  • HLC Cohort: Thursday, October 12, 2023, 6:00 – 8:00 pm @ HLC Bldg. 2000 Presentation Hall
  • SAC & RVS Cohort: Thursday, October 19, 2023, 6:00 – 8:00 pm @ SAC Room #1130
  • HYS Cohort: Thursday, October 26, 2023, 6:00 – 8:00 pm @ SAC Room #1130

Registration: CLOSED

Take Control of Your Money (Optional for Ascender students)

Led by Ayeesha Green, an Accredited Financial Counselor, this welcoming session is designed for students who want to achieve financial stability, wellness, and wealth. Learn the SMART method to set realistic money goals and create a spending plan that fits your lifestyle. Navigate saving for your future, including our Rainy Day Savings Program and simplified retirement planning. Ayeesha provides a supportive space to gain tips, ask questions, and equip yourself with tools for financial empowerment.

Fri Oct 20, 2023, 2 pm – 3:30 pm at the HLC Bldg. 4000 RM 4.2205

Registration: CLOSED

Texas Book Festival Real Reads Author Event (Optional for Ascender students and mentors)

In this exclusive event, you will have an opportunity to hear from the author and ask him any questions you have about the stories and his writing process. *Optional for students and mentors

Saturday, November 11th, from 1 pm -2 pm at the First United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center, 13th and Lavaca

Registration: CLOSED

Posada (Mandatory for Ascender students and optional for mentors)

This is the last event of the semester and we want to celebrate Ascenders finishing their first semester of college! Fun activities will be held and announcements will be made regarding the Spring 2023 semester. We’ll play White Elephant and have other festive activities planned.

*Mandatory for students, optional for mentors

  • Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 6 – 8 pm @ EVC Room #8500

Registration: CLOSED

College Tour (Mandatory for Ascender students)

Partnering withe the ACC transfer office, students will tour Texas State University and Concordia University. They will get information about the admission process, and learn about transfer opportunities. Expect an email with details from the Coordinator. *Mandatory for Ascender students

Friday, December 1, 2023
Bus Departure: HLC 8:00am / HYS 8:30am
Anticipated Return to Campus: HLC 3:30pm / HYS 4:30pm
Lunch and snacks to be provided

Registration: CLOSED

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