Each year since 2016, ACC has hosted a doctoral cohort from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) made up of students and professionals beginning their doctoral journey in Educational Administration in either K-12 or higher education. 

In July, 28 doctoral students from UMHB visited ACC to participate in a forum focused on the community college education ecosystem to help them gain valuable insights into the practices and initiatives employed by the college to ensure student success.

“The forum is an excellent opportunity for ACC to be able to showcase why community college is a great preferred first choice and destination to propel a student’s journey in higher education or directly into their career,” said Dr. Shasta Buchanan, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs.

The morning program comprised a welcome message from Dr. Monique Umphrey, Provost / Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs; an overview of ACC’s 50-year history from Dr. Buchanan; and several presentations from speakers across ACC’s Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, Instruction, High School Relations, and Student Support Services:

  • Dr. Gaye Lynn Scott, Vice Chancellor of Instruction, discussed ACC’s diverse range of academic programs and stressed the college’s reputation as a preferred gateway to higher education and training through its strong industry partnerships, co-enrollment programs, collaborative efforts with Student Affairs, extensive workforce programs, and availability of 4-year degree programs.
  • Dr. Dorado Kinney, Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management, explained the admissions and enrollment processes, shedding light on the department’s efforts to enhance student experiences. 
  • Dr. Ruth Reinhart, Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Support Services, provided an overview of the comprehensive support services available to ACC students.
  • Dr. Mison Zuniga, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, College & High School Relations, shared valuable insights into the college’s robust college/high school relations programs. 

UMBH doctoral students also were given a comprehensive tour of several ACC facilities, including the Make It Center, IMPACT Lab, Fashion Incubator, Bioscience Incubator, ACCelerator and Learning Lab, and the Health Sciences Center. The tour provided firsthand exposure to the cutting-edge resources and state-of-the-art facilities available at ACC, further enriching their understanding of ACC’s commitment to excellence.

The visit culminated with a panel discussion, where students had the opportunity to ask questions of a group of experts from ACC.