Austin Community College District (ACC) is celebrating steady growth in enrollment, persistence, and completion. According to College data:

  • Enrollment headcount has climbed 10% over the past year
  • Fall-to-fall persistence has climbed steadily over the past two years 
  • Completions have climbed more than 17% over the past year

This week, the College was recognized by Excelencia in Education, a national leader in catalyzing institutional transformation for student success in higher education, and awarded the new Intentionally Thriving Institution (ITI) designation of the Seal of Excelencia. 

ACC is one of the first institutions to earn the ITI designation, which extends impact beyond the educational pathway and recognizes positive impact in preparing students for, and connecting them to, the workforce.

“This recognition proves what we’ve always believed — when we put students at the center, they succeed,” said ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart. “At ACC, we’re committed to building a college where every student feels they belong, has access to the support they need, and can see a clear path to their future. We’re not just helping students finish college. We’re helping them build lives, support their families, and strengthen our community.”

As one of the first colleges and universities to earn the Seal of Excelencia, then recertification, and now the ITI designation, ACC holds itself accountable for ongoing improvement, intentionality, and impact in increasing Latino, and all, student success.

The College is working toward a 70% completion rate by the year 2030, through the College’s Theory of Change. According to the most recent data from the College, completion rates are at 47%. In the last five years, overall completion rates have risen 7% across all demographics. ACC’s Hispanic/Latino population, one of the highest-enrolled demographics at the College, has seen a 10% increase in completion rates (about 4,980 students in Academic Year 2024). 

About the Certification

The Seal is a rigorous, data-driven certification, not an award or ranking. Institutions earn the Seal by going beyond enrollment to intentionally serve Latino, and all, students, and by taking responsibility and accountability for providing access to excellence. The Seal framework aligns data, practice, and leadership to move institutions beyond isolated programs toward systemic change and investment that provides institutional value to students, their families, and their communities.

“Seal of Excelencia certified institutions are investing in transformation, ensuring access to excellence, and becoming places where Latino, and all, students thrive,” said Deborah Santiago, co-founder and CEO of Excelencia in Education. “These institutions have made demonstrable efforts to ensure students’ return on investment in a degree while cultivating talent that fuels our country’s future.”

Seal of Excelencia certified institutions produce outsized impact on student outcomes —  representing less than 1% of all colleges and universities in the U.S., yet enrolling 16% and graduating 18% of Latino students nationwide, as well as enrolling 7% and graduating 8% of all students. ACC earned the Seal of Excelencia for the first time in 2019.

“Excelencia is proud to continue to catalyze and support colleges and universities that earn the Seal of Excelencia for their impact and intentional efforts to deliver on the promise of higher education for all students. Through our collaboration, we build talent for our country’s workforce and civic leadership,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education.

About Excelencia in Education

Excelencia in Education leads a national network of results-oriented educators and policymakers transforming higher education to tap the talents of the Latino community and address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. 

With this network, Excelencia ensures access to excellence by promoting student achievement, informing educational policies, and advancing evidence-based practices to more intentionally serve Latino, and all, students. 

Learn more about institutions that earned the Seal of Excelencia certification, recertification, and Intentionally Thriving Institution designation this year.