Austin Community College (ACC) hosts an information session for students who want to learn more about the Texas A&M-Chevron Engineering Academy at ACC. The event will be held 10 a.m to noon, Saturday, December 7, at Highland Campus, Building 1000 (6101 Highland Campus Dr.). 

The Academy is a co-enrollment program that allows students to complete the first two years of an A&M Engineering degree at ACC before transitioning to College Station. 

“Texas A&M is internationally known for its Engineering Programs. They’re a very exclusive institution and most students struggle to get in. This partnership changes the landscape. Over 70 percent of the students we pre-qualify are accepted and enrolled in the academy,” says Dr. David Fonken, ACC Science, Engineering & Math dean. “Together, we’re producing the engineers of tomorrow.”

The Austin Chamber of Commerce expects the demand for engineers to reach more than 4,800 by 2022.  The Texas Workforce Commission projects 25 percent growth statewide in engineering jobs over the next ten years.

"Solving problems is something I always enjoyed doing. I see things that need to be fixed, and I want to fix them. That’s why I want to be an engineer," says Edith Van Tassell, Texas A&M-Chevron Engineering Academy student. “ACC is helping me by giving me the college experience on a smaller scale so that I’ll be prepared for it when I go to College Station. I feel like I’m both an Aggie and a Riverbat.” 

Data show students who begin at ACC have a higher GPA compared to those who start at College Station. The Engineering Academy is open to all students who have a high school diploma or equivalent and are pre-calculus or calculus ready.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/tamuacademy.