The ACC Elgin Campus opens for classes Aug. 26.

“It’s been exciting to watch the property transform from a field into a state-of-the-art college campus,” says Betsy Erwin, the new campus manager and an Elgin resident. “The benefits will extend beyond Elgin – this is great for all of Bastrop County and surrounding areas like Manor. A community college gives all residents an opportunity to improve their lives.”

Residents can see the campus and explore ACC programs on June 1, when the Elgin Campus hosts a college fair and business expo in conjunction with the Greater Elgin Chamber of Commerce.

The campus remains closed to visitors except during the fair. The ACC Elgin Center at 902 West 2nd St. serves as the admissions and registration hub until the campus opens Aug. 26 for fall classes.

Elgin Campus will offer general education/core curriculum classes as well as workforce classes leading directly to employment. The campus will house two new offerings for ACC, including a noncredit program that capitalizes on the sustainable agriculture industry, with classes beginning this fall. In addition, the college is working with the community to develop a veterinary technician program, which is going through the approval process with ACC’s accrediting commission.

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

Students gather at the Frank Erwin Center before the spring commencement ceremony.

For the past three years, Laura Driver took classes at Austin Community College and worked two jobs, while also being a single mother to 4-year-old Isaac. On the night she earned her diploma, Driver knew it was all worth it.

“ACC helped me get one step closer to reaching my goal of teaching children,” says Driver, who earned her associate degree in teaching education. “My son has had such a huge impact on my life.  Everything I do is for him and to give him a better life.”

Driver was one of hundreds of students who crossed the stage at the Frank Erwin Center during ACC’s spring commencement ceremony on May 9.

This spring, more than 1,300 students applied for graduation. The number of graduates has increased significantly in recent years, with more than 2,600 students graduating in 2011-12 – up almost 63 percent over five years ago.

“As a college president, graduation is one of my favorite times,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “To see the pride on these students’ faces, to see the joy of their friends and family – it’s a great feeling, and we’re so proud of all that our students have accomplished.”

Hundreds of students took part in the commencement ceremony.

Commencement speaker Andres Alcantar, chairman and commissioner representing the public of the Texas Workforce Commission, told graduates that the skills they gained at ACC can be used throughout their careers. He added that now is a great time to be searching for a job in Central Texas, where ACC has helped the commission fill the needs of the workforce.

“The American dream requires hard work and dedication, and it requires a commitment to excellence,” Alcantar said in his speech. “But that’s the beauty of America – it rewards accomplishments, and it rewards commitment.”

Driver’s commitment to earning her degree has paid off, as she is now enrolled at Texas State University. She plans to complete her bachelor’s degree next year. She advises other ACC students “to not give up. Always remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Check out photo’s from the ceremony on Flickr or view this slideshow:

Funded through the student sustainability fee ($1 per credit hour) and employee parking permit fees, Green Pass provides Capital Metro passes to all credit students, faculty, and staff at no additional cost.

To obtain a Green Pass, bring your ACC ID to your campus cashier office.

ACC initiated its collegewide commitment to environmental stewardship in 2009 with the passage of a Board of Trustees policy on sustainable practices. The  college’s other sustainability initiatives include Green Car (priority parking for fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles), electric vehicle charging stations, installation of energy-efficient lighting, water bottle filling stations, and more.

To learn about ACC’s efforts to go green, visit austincc.edu/sustainability.

“Many of our summer students are home from their universities and use ACC’s summer sessions as an opportunity to get ahead,” says Mike Midgley, vice president of instruction. “ACC offers transferable courses at an affordable price – something that’s very appealing to students and their families.”

Summer registration is now open to new, former, and current students. The semester starts May 28. In-district tuition is $62 per credit hour.

Students can view the summer schedule on the ACC website, then apply and register online.

ACC has an open-door admissions policy, meaning everyone who meets eligibility criteria is encouraged to enroll. Visit austincc.edu/apply to get started and view a map that guides new students through the registration process. The Student Recruitment Office (223.7701) provides guidance for starting at ACC.

For more information on summer registration, visit austincc.edu/register.

Classes begin at Elgin Campus in fall 2013.

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.

A variety of career training programs available at ACC will be showcased, including:

• Agricultural Entrepreneurship (new and unique to Elgin Campus)
• Computer Information Technology
• Health Sciences
• Hospitality, Meeting & Event Planning, and Travel & Tourism
• Applied Technology
• Visual Communication

“The college fair is a great opportunity to check out ACC,” says Betsy Erwin, the campus manager and an Elgin resident. “A community college gives all residents an opportunity to improve their lives. You can train for a new career, take transferable classes, or add to your resume. It’s a big asset to Elgin as well as the surrounding areas.”

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 door prizes. Both events are free and open to the public.

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.