Month-in-review: June 2020

Virtual President's Reception
On May 27, ACC President/CEO Dr. Richard M. Rhodes hosted the third annual President's Reception honoring all high school seniors graduating with an ACC degree, workforce certificate, or at least 12 hours of transferable credit. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's event was held virtually. The more than 300 high school seniors who earned an ACC degree or certificate received a white ACC stole through the mail. The more than 3,000 seniors graduating with at least 12 hours of transferable credit each received a Riverbat Purple cord. Devon Miller, Juanita Ferguson, Chelsa King Carr, Yvette Flores, and Naomi Garza served on the President's Reception planning committee.

Spring 2020 Drama Showcase
The 2020 Spring Showcase was a digital version of our typical end-of-the-semester Evening of Scenes and Monologues. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our faculty, staff, the Drama Department was able to present student performances and design installations virtually, and to celebrate what our students accomplished this spring in spite of the pandemic. The showcase featured monologues and spoken word from Acting I and II, design projects from Collaborative Design, Wig Construction & Styling, Introduction to Costume, and History of Technical Theater, and a video recap of our spring production, Harry and the Thief. The 40-minute program was presented on Facebook and on ACCTV.

Student Emergency Fund Keep a Dream Alive Campaign
As of June 6, ACC and the ACC Foundation successfully reached the goal to raise $300,000 to support the Student Emergency Fund (SEF) that will help students who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To kick start the Keep a Dream Alive campaign, the Foundation board members unanimously approved and reallocated $95,000 of unrestricted funds to the SEF. More than 300 donors gave to the campaign, including more than 150 ACC faculty and staff and more than 70 community individuals and businesses. Donation amounts ranged from as small as $20 to a $40,000 gift from an anonymous donor.

Congrats Grad Signs
The Office of Communication and Marketing set up "Congrats Grads" signs on every ACC campus to celebrate our spring 2020 graduates. Students were encouraged to visit the signs and tag themselves on social media with #ACCGrads.

Fast Track to Success Conference 2020
The fourth annual Fast Track to Success conference was held from June 8–10. Leaning into its ethos of innovation, the FTTS team moved the conference to a virtual space rather than cancel it due to COVID-19. 588 people registered and presenters included competency-based education (CBE) experts from around the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Dr. Harrison Keller, Commissioner for Higher Education for the state of Texas, delivered the opening keynote. The conference platform will be up and available for a year to anyone who wishes to access any content at https://ftts.brightspace.com/d2l/home. Registration is required. Led by ACC Distance Learning and External Relations Assistant Dean Dr. Amardeep Kahlon and ACC Instructional Designer Ann Kennedy, FTTS has made significant progress in promoting CBE throughout the state of Texas since its inception in 2015.