Austin Community College District (ACC) hosted its May Virtual Employee Town Hall on Friday, May 8. Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart said that the College has a lot to celebrate.
Economic Impact Report
A recent Trellis Economic Impact Report revealed that ACC contributes $2.6 billion to the Central Texas economy annually. The report found that ACC graduates contribute approximately $1.2 billion each year through increased earnings and spending.
Russell said that we should be proud of these outcomes, and that this is an Important message: ACC is not only benefiting individuals—it has a bigger collective impact on the economy.
Free Tuition Update
Russell gave an overview of the presentation that College administration gave to the Board of Trustees in May regarding the Free Tuition Pilot Program.
“These are the kinds of improvements we need to see if we’re going to reach our North Star,” said Russell. “Overall, a positive impact beyond what we could ever hope for, it’s really encouraging.”
Read about the program’s success here.
Southeast Travis Campus Update
The purchase of the Southeast Travis County (SETC) complex, a 560,000-square-foot facility located just west of the airport, has been completed. Russell called it a great financial opportunity for the College and community. Renovations are projected to be completed in as little as two years, with the potential to host select classes as early as this summer.
Earlier in the week, Russell took a group of employees from the Riverside Campus to tour the new space. “It was fun to spend time with Riverside colleagues, and ideating and dreaming about what it could be,” he said.
Read more about the purchase here.
Academic Restructuring
In academic news, the College announced it will transition from the current “Areas of Study” model to a more traditional “Schools” format—such as School of Humanities and Communication and School of Business—starting this fall. This shift, which groups programs into Dean areas, aims to simplify the student experience, increase transparency, and align with industry standards.
Safety Protocols
The Chancellor also addressed the recent ransomware attack on the Canvas learning management system that affected thousands of institutions globally. While ACC uses Blackboard, the College is working closely with the vendor to ensure heightened security measures are in place. Faculty will receive communications regarding simple safety protocols as a precautionary measure.
Budget Update
On the financial front, the administration reassured employees that despite a decrease in tax revenue, the budget is healthy. The College expects to present a balanced fiscal year 2027 budget with a recommended 2-3% raise for employees for Trustees to vote on this summer.
With potential economic challenges looming, however, the College will study its budget over the next year to become more effective and efficient in how resources are spent.
Watch the full town hall recording at austincc.edu/townhall.