The Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees met for its regular meeting on Monday, January 10, to hear college updates, discuss legislative priorities, appoint members to the college’s Regional Advisory Committees (RAC), and discuss student success. 

Below are highlights from the meeting.

CHANCELLOR’S REPORT

Chancellor Dr. Richard Rhodes provided an update on ACC’s new health and safety measures as the COVID-19 omicron variant spreads across Central Texas. The college will temporarily scale back the number of people on campus when the spring semester begins to help reduce the number of people on campus. Health screening check-ins at the door also will be reinstituted at all campuses and centers. The board-issued mask mandate remains in place. Click here for more information. 

Dr. Rhodes also spoke about the fall 2021 graduation held in December. The ceremony marked the first in-person commencement since fall 2019. More than 9,000 graduates were invited to participate. 

Dr. Rhodes informed Trustees that the week of January 17 is Truth, Racial Healing &Transformation (TRHT) Week. The college’s TRHT Center will sponsor multiple virtual events throughout the week, including workshops, film screenings, and racial healing circles. Click here for the full schedule.

Lastly, Dr. Rhodes announced ACC was honored as one of the top institutions in the state and nation in five key programs by Intelligent.com. Read more about the recognition here. The college was also honored by Newsweek as one of the top best online learning schools for 2022.

APPROVE REGIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Trustees approved new recommendations for the college’s Regional Advisory Committees (RACs). The newly appointed members will serve three-year terms beginning January 2022. New members include:

• Mateo Clarke appointed by Stephanie Gharakhanian,
• Danielle Skidmore and Mina Davis appointed by Julie Ann Nitsch,
• Kwee Lan Teo and Jason Ball appointed by Dana Walker,
• Joene Grissom appointed by Dr. Nan McRaven,
• Holly Browning appointed by Nicole Eversmann,
• Dr. Jeff Freels appointed by Gigi Edwards Bryant,
• Dr. Kelly Crook appointed by Dr. Barbara Mink,
• Jeremy Hendricks appointed by Sean Hassan,
• and Scott Sellers appointed by Dr. Richard Rhodes.

The three 11-member committees represent ACC’s north, central, and south regions and are charged with helping the college strengthen the link between the district and community and enhancing and providing community input for college programs and services.

GETTING CENTRAL TEXANS BACK TO WORK THROUGH ENHANCED OPPORTUNITIES

The board received an update on the Chancellor’s priorities. ACC Vice Chancellor of Instruction Mike Midgley provided information on measures and milestones for Priority Four: Help Central Texans Get Back to Work and Start on a Career Path. Highlights include:

• Expand the ACC Career Scholars Program.
  • The college aimed to increase enrollment to 500 by June 2022 and has already surpassed this with 546 enrollments. ACC further aims to increase its business sponsorship by five, to 10 business sponsors this year.
• Increase opportunities for students to earn credit for prior learning.
  • A new career services plan is expected to launch May 2022.
• Grow the numbers of students completing short-term credential programs and career pathways.
  • ACC surpassed its goal for enrollment in fast track programs with 881 students taking courses in fall 2021. The college continues to push to increase the number of Adult Education and Continued Education students who go on to pursue credit courses.
• Expand opportunities for students’ experiential learning and career readiness.
  • The college is on track to launch the Make It Center to create a new career exploration experience for the region by September 2022.
• Expand the collection and reporting of employment/income outcomes for completers of ACC workforce programs.

2022 Federal Legislative Priorities

The board unanimously approved the college’s 2022 federal legislative priorities. Priorities include reauthorizing investing in education and workforce development, increasing Pell Grant opportunities, and supporting dreamers. The initiatives provide opportunities for community college leadership to collectively advocate on behalf of community colleges. Read more on the priorities here.

Financial Audit Report

Executive Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Neil Vickers provided an update on the college’s financial audit report. Vickers reported the college completed the year with a balanced budget and a $5.8 million fund balance for cash reserves. 

Findings from a recent audit conducted by Weaver and Tidwell also were released.  The firm reported just one deficiency in internal control. Trustees requested for the financial company to return once changes are in place to confirm the deficiency has been corrected.

Watch a full recording of the meeting here.