Austin Community College District (ACC) celebrated a record-breaking number of candidates at its Spring 2025 Commencement ceremony. More than 3,300 students were invited to participate, with 1,098 attending the official ceremony.
When combined with fall 2024 graduates, this spring continues the trend of rising graduation rates over the past decade, marking a 7% increase from last year.
The graduates represented the spirit and diversity of Central Texas — from working parents and first-generation college students to career changers and lifelong learners. Their achievements highlight ACC’s expanding impact on college completion, career preparation, and economic mobility.
ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart recognized this year’s Chancellor’s Student Achievement Award winner, Rikki Erhart, who pivoted from retail, food, and commercial real estate to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Web Programming and a certificate in Coding Design. She served in a leadership role with Phi Theta Kappa—the College’s honor society chapter—and helped build its website, co-led the Women in Technology (WIT) group, helped design an app to teach kids music, and served as the student voice on ACC’s Web Advisory Committee.
Mariachi Espuelas closed out the ceremony.
View photos from the day in the Flickr slideshow below.
Watch the full ceremony below.
Read some of our graduates’ stories and more at austincc.edu/graduation.