This regular feature recognizes the achievements, activities, and accolades of Austin Community College District (ACC) faculty, staff, and departments and will be updated regularly. To submit news or suggestions, see the contact information below.

ACC Highland Campus played host to a book launch for E3 Alliance founder Susan Dawson in June. Dawson founded E3 Alliance in 2006 in partnership with ACC, the Austin Area Research Organization, and the University of Texas at Austin. As one of our partners, her work continues to shape successful education systems and increase student outcomes from pre-K to the workforce. The party was for Dawson’s new book, “Changing Education Systems: Wisdom Gained by E3Alliance in Driving Effective Change Using Data and Collaboration.” 

Associate Adjunct Professor of Biology Dr. Rodney Rohde has been invited by the American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer (ASMDL) Committee to serve as an ASM Distinguished Lecturer in 2025-2027. The program consists of a scientifically diverse roster of 16-20 lecturers who present at ASM branch meetings throughout the U.S. Lecturers are screened through a competitive nomination process, and only the most distinguished lecturers and researchers are selected to participate in the Program. Read more here.

Dr. Susan M. Warner-Sanchez, Teaching & Learning Excellence Division Associate Vice Chancellor, was recognized by the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She received the Austin Latina Legacy Award for Education at the inaugural Latina Legacy Luncheon in June. The event celebrated the achievements of seven Latina leaders across all professions and highlighted the roles they’ve played in shaping our communities. Watch the KXAN coverage of the event. 

Nonprofit Austin at ACC has opened its Certificate Measuring Social Impact & Effective Storytelling to the public. Initially funded by the Anderson Foundation, this program helps participants reorient their focus from measurement as a compliance activity to evaluation as the foundation for organizational learning and program improvement. Learn more about the new certificate here.

Do you know a student, faculty, or staff member who has accomplished something notable outside the classroom or in their community? We want to hear about them. Contact Victoria Garza Gonzalez, ACC internal communications coordinator, at [email protected].