Austin Community College District (ACC) released its inaugural State of the College Report, highlighting its transformative efforts to drive student success and meet Central Texas’ workforce needs. The report was presented during a special event on Tuesday, February 25, at ACC Rio Grande Campus to about 150 people on an invite-only guest list.
“We believe ACC can be the glue that ties resources, education, and possibilities together,” says ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “With 74,000 students enrolled annually, our mission is clear: to eliminate barriers, create opportunities, and love our students to success.”
Key Highlights from the State of the College Report
- Free Tuition Pilot Program Shows Promising Results: Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart shared early success stories from ACC’s Free Tuition Pilot Program, launched in Fall 2024 to eliminate tuition and general fees for local high school graduates. The program has already led to a 44% increase in direct-to-college enrollment, showing strong potential to improve college participation rates across Central Texas.
- Workforce Training & Economic Impact: With 80% of ACC graduates staying in Texas, the College continues to serve as the region’s top trainer and re-trainer for high-demand careers. ACC’s Advanced Manufacturing Production (AMP) training will expand nationwide through new partnerships, ensuring a pipeline of skilled workers for Texas’ growing semiconductor industry. Additionally, the launch of the Austin Infrastructure Academy at ACC’s Riverside Campus will provide hands-on training for careers in construction, utilities, and city planning.
- Student Success and Support Services: ACC reaffirmed its commitment to meeting students’ basic needs—from food and housing assistance to mental health services. The College is working with local social service providers to expand support systems that help students stay enrolled and complete their degrees.
- Increasing Student Completions: ACC aims to increase its student completion rate from 46% to 70% by 2030. At the core of getting there is ACC’s Theory of Change, a framework designed to reduce obstacles and empower students.
See photos from the event in our Flickr album below.
The Theory of Change
The College is reimagining what student success looks like by addressing essential needs and the process of how the College functions. To achieve this, the College uses student, employee, and community insights alongside data analysis to remove barriers to success. Its Theory of Change focuses on four key pillars: helping students start strong, encouraging full-time enrollment, supporting basic needs, and fostering belonging. By addressing academic and personal challenges, ACC is dedicated to guiding every student to success—whether through a certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or transfer.
The State of ACC laid out the top priorities for the coming year, including transfer pathways, like the Bats to Cats program, expanding Free Tuition, and bond-funded campus improvements.
For more information about the State of the College Report and ACC’s vision for the future, visit austincc.edu/stateofacc.