ACC campuses were buzzing this week with new and returning students and faculty who came to campus for the start of the fall 2024 semester.
Enrollment this semester surpassed pre-pandemic numbers. As of the first day of classes on August 26, 2024, College data indicate 39,831 students enrolled. First Time at ACC student enrollment increased by 21% compared to the previous fall and by 37% compared to two years ago, and nearly 5,000 students registered this semester are attending through the Free Tuition program — accounting for about 30% of the growth. Learn more here.
To support our students during the first days of the semester, the College continued its tradition of welcoming and helping our new and returning students on the first two days of the new semester with Welcome Riverbats teams on all 11 campuses.
View the Welcome Riverbats slideshow below.
This semester, 379 employees — including ACC’s beloved mascot, R.B. the Riverbat — volunteered to staff welcome tables at each campus. That’s up approximately 38% compared to the number of employees who volunteered during Welcome Riverbats events in the spring 2024 semester.
Volunteer groups were stationed across each campus to provide students with information, directions, Riverbats swag, and hygiene kits provided by the American Association for Women in Community College.
New this year, the College piloted a new wayfinding app created by the Facilities Information Systems team. The interactive map is available on kiosks throughout campus or for download to a mobile device.
To help inspire school spirit and a sense of belonging, many campuses were adorned with new lamppost banners with messages such as You Belong, You Got This, and Home of the Riverbats. ACC’s Office of College Relations & Marketing tested variations of banners with current ACC students via a survey and developed designs that resonated the most with students. The banners will be installed on all campuses by the end of September.