Austin Community College District (ACC) celebrates a record number of graduates at its spring 2022 commencement ceremony. More than 3,340 students are invited to participate Friday, May 13, at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park.

One of those students is Lira Ramirez, who is graduating from ACC with a general studies degree. Here is why Lira chose ACC and what’s next.

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Written by Lira Amari Ramírez

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I began at ACC as a homeschooled dual credit student. My time here has had a huge impact on my life. It has been amazing to have the opportunity to take so many cool classes and learn from so many incredible people.

I think my favorite part of ACC thus far has been the community. It truly makes a difference to be surrounded by students with similar and completely different backgrounds to ourselves. From parents to veterans to international students, we come from so many different walks of life. Yet, we’re all taking classes and learning together. I think that this experience is why I love ACC so much.

Getting involved on campus, I am so glad to have found ACC’s Student Government Association (SGA) where I served as President for the 2020-2021 school year. Seeing all the work that happens behind the scenes in ACC’s Shared Governance Committees and Equity Council has really opened my eyes to the world of higher education, and I have become really passionate about higher education equity.

Considering the impact ACC has had on my life, it means so much to me to be graduating this spring, especially as a student with a disability. (After transferring to the University of Texas-Austin,  I was really excited about the opportunity to get my associate degree through ACC’s reverse transfer process). There have certainly been some challenges over the past few years, and I am really proud and grateful to be here right now.

Rediscovering classical guitar with ACC’s Music Program this past year, I am excited to continue, and I am currently majoring in History and Latin American Studies at UT Austin. Research has always been something that I have loved, and I am eager to be doing a project this summer with the McNair Scholars Program, studying Afro-Mexicanos in Mexico’s late 19th to early 20th-century public education system. The program has meant so much to me over this past year, as I hope to attend grad school and would love the opportunity to one day enter academia and teach myself.

What would you tell someone considering applying for college: 

If you are considering going to college, I think that ACC is an amazing place to start, with so many paths applicable to many different careers and interests. College can be a really exciting experience in and of itself, with so much to learn and explore, especially if you are following your passions. And, there are truly so many people and resources there to help you along the way. I would encourage everyone to browse ACC’s website. (I know I have certainly done my fair share of this!)