Austin Community College (ACC) has named Dr. Joshua Rock as the new dean of Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT), bringing extensive higher education and technology experience to the role.
Rock joined ACC as a professor in 2024, teaching in the CSIT program while serving as a full-time faculty senator, Bold Representation of Achievement through Student Support (BRASS) mentor, and informal student advisor.
In his new role, beginning September 15, 2026, Rock will work with faculty and staff to support student success, strengthen academic programs, and ensure CSIT remains responsive to the rapidly evolving technology workforce.
“ACC CSIT is strategically poised to develop the next generation of technology leaders in the Central Texas region and beyond,” Rock said.
Bringing Technology and Higher Education Experience to CSIT
Rock has more than a decade of academic experience teaching information technology management, mobile and web services, and data management. He has also contributed to curriculum evaluation and redesign efforts. Rock additionally has extensive industry experience.
“Our students and our faculty in CSIT are lucky to have Dr. Rock in this role. His varied background in industry and the public sector, combined with his higher education experience, is just what ACC needs for this significant leadership position,” Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Gaye Lynn Scott said. “We look forward to the innovative work he will lead in the CSIT School and in partnership with industry.”
Brandon Whatley, associate vice chancellor of the Division of Professional Technical Education, said Rock’s experience gives him strong knowledge of both higher education and the technology industry.
“Dr. Rock stood out because of his vision for the future and understanding of where we are and the challenges before us,” Whatley said. “Experiences he shared from his prior stints in academia and private industry outlined his deep understanding of a complex and also highly competitive ecosystem that I am confident he can lead us through.”
Preparing Students for a Changing Technology Landscape
Rock sees an opportunity for ACC to evolve its CSIT curriculum as workforce demands shift.
“ACC has a chance to develop an agile and responsive curriculum that can rapidly adapt to constantly changing, real-world, technology industry demands,” Rock said. “Teaching our students the skills of ‘learning how to learn’ and the ‘mastery of mastery’ will give them a lifelong confidence in their ability to quickly master new skills and reinvent themselves in the fast-changing world of IT.”
Whatley identified several priorities for CSIT, including adapting to the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, maintaining regional competitiveness for graduates, and ensuring curriculum and award pathways remain responsive to emerging workforce needs.
“Dr. Rock’s forward-thinking leadership will be instrumental in guiding us through these shifts, keeping our programs deeply connected to Central Texas’ dynamic tech sector and positioned for long-term success,” Whatley said.
Faculty will remain central to that effort.
“ACC faculty will continue designing experiences that foster learning and engage students’ curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills,” Rock said. “The fields of computing and information technology are constantly changing, and our CSIT programs will have to continually evolve to remain relevant.”
Centering Student Success
Keeping programs current is ultimately about helping students move successfully from education into careers.
“At ACC, we have the motto of loving our students to success,” Rock said. “It reflects every step we take to ensure that our students are prepared well and supported well in all aspects of their learning and life journey.”
Whatley sees Rock’s leadership as a chance to build on CSIT’s progress while strengthening the school’s connection to community, industry, and the broader technology landscape.
“Looking a few years ahead, success for CSIT under Dr. Joshua Rock’s leadership means seeing the wonderful work already underway come to full fruition while establishing ACC as a premier tech institution regionally and nationally,” Whatley said.
Rock said that work will be grounded in collaboration and a commitment to continuous improvement.
“Excellence is a journey, not a destination,” Rock said. “So our goal will be the relentless pursuit of excellence. Stated more simply: excellence every day.”