Updated Wednesday, October 30, 2024

Austin Community College (ACC) is exploring the purpose of its campuses, and you’re invited to join the conversation. Conversations have started and will continue through the end of the year, and a new Campus Purpose web page is now live.

In support of the College’s North Star goal to achieve 70 percent completion by 2030, ACC is carefully assessing its campuses — from its buildings and programs to the courses, services, operations, and engagement opportunities available on-site. 

“Central Texas has experienced astonishing growth, neighborhoods are shifting, demographics are changing, and transportation is becoming more complicated. We want to find opportunities to grow in ways that better support our students and the emerging needs of our community,” says Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, ACC Chancellor. “An important part of this process is identifying a clear purpose for each campus. This will help us ensure our students and communities have access to the appropriate classes, resources, and support to achieve their academic goals. If we do this right, and provide for flexibility, our campuses can adapt and grow as our Central Texas communities continue to shift.”

To evaluate each campus, the College established a campus purpose rubric. It weighs data and insights on-campus student demographics, patterns, trends, and target programs and degrees. 

That information shaped a draft framework that sorts each campus into one of three categories based primarily on enrollment: 

  • Community Engagement Campuses (CECs) will be community-oriented and offer services that extend beyond traditional academic services focused on fostering community connections, providing valuable resources, and enhancing the well-being of the local area. 
  • Specialized Program Campuses (SPCs) will deliver specialized programs, classes, or courses that cater to specific industries and fields of study. SPCs are intended to provide students with a concentrated, immersive educational experience tailored to their chosen career path or academic interests.
  • Regional Hubs will be comprehensive educational hubs that provide a wide range of academic resources and services for students and faculty.

Campus Conversations: Campus Purpose

In the coming weeks and months, Dr. Umphrey and her team will continue to share the details about the draft Campus Purpose Framework with individual campus communities so employees and students can co-create a rubric and framework that provides clear direction and transparency.

The feedback will help the College finalize the Campus Purpose Framework. The process is expected to wrap up in the spring semester. 

Invitations to these Campus Purpose Campus Conversations are shared with each campus community from the Campus Manager’s Office. Look for an invitation in your email inbox. 

Find the schedule, leave your feedback, and learn more on the new Campus Purpose web page, austincc.edu/campuspurpose.