President Obama greets ACC student Lori Belton's daughters during his visit to Austin.

ACC student Lori Bailon had the opportunity to greet President Barack Obama during his recent visit to Austin.

Bailon, a Capital IDEA participant, and her two young daughters met the president during his stop at Applied Materials on May 9. He visited Austin as part of a tour designed to draw attention to programs that help spur the economy.

“It was kind of surreal, as if I was dreaming,” Bailon says of meeting the president.  “My girls were jumping out of their seats; they were so excited to see him.”

Bailon attends Capital IDEA’s College Prep Academy at ACC and plans to earn her associate degree in dental hygiene in 2016. She is also enrolled in a pilot program funded by the Department of Labor to accelerate the education of health care professionals.

When asked how her daughters reacted to meeting the president, Bailon said, “My oldest daughter Marianna now wants to become the first female president. I’m a very proud mother.”

Among first-time college students entering ACC last fall, approximately 40 percent did not meet state college-readiness standards in at least one area and were mandated into developmental education. Bridge Program courses are short-term classes that allow students to work on those skills. Data show students who complete Bridge Program courses are less likely to need developmental education than other students.

“Our Bridge Programs are a great resource for college students,” says Mike Midgley, vice president of instruction. “These are focused courses that can result in time and cost savings – and help students to be more successful in college.”

Bridge Program students refresh their skills.

Courses offered through this summer’s Bridge Programs include:

• COMPASS workshops for math, reading, and writing: Review of skills tested on the COMPASS assessment.
• Enhancing Math Skills, Developmental Reading Skills, and Developmental Writing Skills: Focused instruction in a single subject.
• College Quickstart: Refresher course for high school/GED graduates who score close to college-ready in at least two areas of developmental education.

Before registering for the program, students must meet with an ACC advisor or counselor to determine eligibility. Students do not earn college credit for Bridge Program courses.

View a class schedule at austincc.edu/bridge. For more information, call Mary Gilmer at 223.5325.

Andy Riess, assistant director of outreach for the Fulbright Scholar Program, will discuss types of grants available, criteria, and application guidelines. The workshop is open to all full-time and adjunct faculty.

The Fulbright Scholar Program promotes mutual understanding and respect between people of the United States and other countries through research and teaching.  Dr. Elizabeth Pintar, professor of anthropology, received a Fulbright award in 2011. Read about her grant. She will be on hand at the workshop to answer questions and share her experiences.

For more information contact William Hayden, director of International Programs, at 223.7689.

Tom Pauken

This year’s keynote speaker is Tom Pauken, former chair of the Texas Workforce Commission, which works closely with ACC to ensure students are being trained to fill the needs of the workforce. Pauken also served on President Ronald Reagan’s White House staff and was director of the ACTION agency.

“This event is a great way to be an advocate for the center and to meet the students who benefit from the center’s many activities,” says Peck Young, CPPPS director. “Every net dollar raised will support the growth of CPPPS in the coming years.”

During the fundraiser, State Rep. Donna Howard will receive the 2013 “Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Award” for her efforts to support the interests of Texas college students and higher education institutions.

CPPPS, the nation’s first nonprofit public policy center at a community college, encourages students’ political and civic engagement through programs, internships, and conferences.

To purchase fundraiser tickets or for more information, visit austincc.edu/CPPPS or contact Maxine Kaplan at 223.7050 (mkaplan@austincc.edu).

The ACC Elgin Campus opens for classes Aug. 26.

gives prospective students, parents, and the community an opportunity to tour the campus and explore college and career training programs.

Attendees can meet with admissions staff as well as representatives from academic, extracurricular, and support programs. The college fair also offers early registration for those who complete the admissions process and plan to take classes at Elgin Campus when it opens this fall.

The event will showcase a variety of training programs in high-demand career fields, including:

• Sustainable Agriculture (ACC’s newest program)
• Computer Information Technology
• Health Sciences
• Hospitality, Meeting & Event Planning, and Travel & Tourism
• Applied Technology
• Visual Communication

“We’re going to be doing some exciting and unique things at this campus,” says Betsy Erwin, the campus manager and an Elgin resident. “It’s going to be great to have a campus in my hometown and to see young people grow up with a college in their community. Everyone is welcome to come to this event and get a taste of what we have to offer.”

Residents of Elgin ISD as well as nearby Manor ISD are part of the ACC taxing district, making them eligible for the low, in-district tuition rate of $67 per credit hour.

The college fair will be held in conjunction with the Greater Elgin Chamber of Commerce’s business expo. The expo features exhibitors, live entertainment, demonstrations, and more. Both events are free and open to the public.

“We are so proud to see this campus come to fruition,” says David Glass, a local businessman who helped lead the community effort to join the ACC District. “The Elgin community and surrounding areas have been very supportive and ready for the new opportunities the campus will bring.”

The ACC Elgin Campus is located at 1501 W. U.S. Hwy. 290. Parking for the event is at the campus, with overflow parking and shuttle service from Neidig Elementary School (13700 County Line Rd.).

Please note the campus remains closed to visitors except during the college fair. The campus officially opens Monday, Aug. 26.

For more campus and college fair information, visit austincc.edu/elgin.

Zach McDonald (center) with his award-winning Eco Bag design.

ACC student Zach McDonald won the college’s Eco Bag Art contest, sponsored by the Office of Sustainability and the Art Department. His sustainability-themed design was printed on a reusable bag and will be displayed at ACC campuses this year. McDonald was also presented with a Kindle E-reader.

For his entry, McDonald, a graphic design student, went for a minimalist design that used less ink, making the design more environmentally friendly.

“My nephew was with me when I worked on my design, so I told him all about Earth Day and the importance of going green,” McDonald says. “Now he reminds me all the time that every day needs to be like Earth Day.”

Runner-ups in the contest were Megan Fine and Maria Dominguez, who each received a Timbuk2 Messenger Bag.

Riverbats Bravo award recipients are eligible for the Riverbats Excellence award given each semester to one employee from each campus.

Visit the Riverbats Bravo awards webpage to learn about the program, view award criteria, or access a nomination form, or contact Linda Johnson for more information.

Cypress Creek Campus
Renee Branson
George Suniga

Eastview Campus
Martin Garramone
Roland Hayes
David Moore (also Northridge Campus)
Sukisha Moragne
Betty Sanders
Steven Self

Highland Business Center
Sabia Butler
Nora Fallon
Whitney Feil
Haydeana Gaviria
Norma Ruiz
Marie Zolnosky

Northridge Campus
Randall Hill
Jaime Santos
Roy Shipp

Round Rock Campus
Larry Wigginton

Riverside Campus
Eric Alba
Zach Bundy
Stephanie Elie
Joann Lewis
Paul Schliesing

Service Center
Silas Griggs
Jamie Hand
James Hawkins
Alex Rivera