“Opportunities like Chautauqua are life-changing, especially for students like me who come from communities where these chances don’t come around often. Programs like the ACC Honors Program have opened doors I never thought possible. They provide students with platforms to be seen, heard, and supported as they chase their goals.”
– Parker G.

For Austin Community College District (ACC) student Parker G., being chosen as a Summer Scholar at the Chautauqua Institution was more than a personal achievement—it was a chance to grow, connect, and represent his community on a national stage.

“I felt truly honored. Summer Scholars are selected from all over the country, so the fact that they chose me felt surreal,” says Parker. “Being selected reminded me that my voice and story matter and that I belong in spaces that once felt out of reach.”

He is one of only 24 community college students from across the country selected for the 2025 Summer Scholars Program at Chautauqua. It is exclusively open to Honors Program students. Hosted in a historic village in New York, the Summer Scholars at Chautauqua Program is a fully-funded weeklong program that brings together students for lectures, conversations with national leaders, and opportunities to build lasting connections.

“When I got the acceptance email, I sent it to my whole family. I hadn’t told anyone I applied other than my references, so it came as a complete surprise. Where I come from, a fully funded trip to New York for a week sounds too good to be true. My family thought it had to be a scam. That reaction reminded me just how rare opportunities like this are in my community, and it made me even more determined to make the most out of this experience.”

Parker enrolled at ACC in fall 2023. He’s on track to earn his associate degree in Government this fall, followed by a degree in Paralegal Studies in the spring. He applied for the Chautauqua program after learning about it through ACC’s Honors Program.

“I applied to become a Summer Scholar at Chautauqua because their weekly lecture themes stood out to me,” Parker says. “The building of your social capital aspect also really intrigued me. Being a first-generation American and college student, building a network can feel like unfamiliar territory.”

The program is designed specifically for community college honors students and focuses on civic engagement, leadership, and community dialogue. Something Parker hopes will help him in his future. 

“As an introvert whose voice still shakes when speaking to a crowd, I hope Chautauqua helps me grow out of that,” Parker says. “I want to gain confidence, learn to network more effectively, and return with skills that will allow me to continue expanding my social capital.”

The opportunity also opened unexpected doors. Following the weeklong experience, Parker will travel to Iowa to visit Grinnell College to tour as a potential transfer option. He made the connection for the fully funded trip through his participation.

When he returns to ACC, Parker is stepping up as a student leader. He’ll serve as president of the Honors Student Organization and continue working as an ambassador to the Honors Program during his final year at ACC.

“I plan to share my experiences with Chautauqua and hope to encourage more students to join this program or even inspire those who may feel that something like this is out of reach for them.”

To learn more about the ACC Honors Program and how to get involved, visit austincc.edu/honors.