Transfer success is a core component of Austin Community College District’s (ACC) North Star goal. With the implementation of House Bill 8, which ties state funding directly to successful student transfers, prioritizing clear pathways to four-year universities has never been more critical to the College. 

The College has set an ambitious goal to increase transfers from 3,196 to 4,000 by academic year 2028. To achieve that level of growth, we are doubling down on scaling the pathway to our largest transfer partner—Texas State University (TXST).

The Bats to Cats program allows ACC students to seamlessly complete their degree as Texas State Bobcats. Eligible students receive:

  • Personalized advising 
  • Assured scholarships  
  • Clear pathway that ensures their ACC credits count toward their bachelor’s degree 

For the student, it means less stress and potentially saving up to $19,000 in tuition and fees. For the College, it is a vital engine for meeting our strategic enrollment and transfer targets.

Our challenge: Many students—and even some faculty and staff—aren’t fully aware of how the program works. To help bridge this knowledge gap and highlight how you can champion this critical initiative, we sat down with an ACC Academic Advisor to learn more about the program, its perks, and how faculty and staff can help get the word out.

Q&A with Academic Advisor Kamryn Leary

Kamryn Leary has been an ACC Academic Advisor at the Northridge Campus since October 2023. She says that the most rewarding part of her job is getting to talk to students to learn about the mark they want to leave on this world and helping them get there and achieve their goals.

Q: How do you describe the Bats to Cats program to students?
A: Transferring to another school can be a daunting process—not knowing where to start, when to fill out the application, how to order transcripts, or what to do about financial aid. I tell them it’s like transferring to another school, but much easier. ACC and Transfer Services do a lot of the heavy lifting. Students fill out a declaration form, and then they are guided through the transfer process by a dedicated person from ACC. Normally, if you apply directly to a university, you have to navigate a lot of it by yourself. With Bats to Cats, students get hands-on help from start to finish. If this had been around when I was going through school, this is something I would have pursued, or at least looked into.

Q: What are the biggest selling points for the students you speak with?
A: Definitely the financial benefits! College is expensive, and Bats to Cats offers assured scholarships. Eligible students receive a $1,000 award if they transfer to the San Marcos campus, and a $2,000 award if they take classes at the Round Rock Campus. A lot of students love that it’s close by, so they might not have to move. On top of the money and the guidance, they also get perks like free tickets to select Texas State athletic events and access to special mixer events to build their TXST community while still at ACC.

Q: Who is a good candidate for the program, and when should they start looking into it? A: Anyone who is interested in Texas State or is unsure of where they want to go but knows they want to transfer. Not every major is eligible, but most students I speak to have a specific program pathway available. 

It’s never too early to talk about transferring! Even Early College High School students can start looking into it. There are transfer declaration deadlines, usually about six months in advance. Transfer Services recommends that students complete their associate degree at ACC first because it is the most cost-effective route, and then transfer through the program.

Q: Can you share an experience helping a student through the process?
A: I worked with a student who was overwhelmed by the prospect of changing her major from Biology to Business Administration. She had heard about the Bats to Cats program, so we pulled up the Bats to Cats program pathway sheet together. It really helped break down the process—showing exactly what classes she needed and what previous credits would apply. Being able to visualize her plan on Self-Service helped calm her down. Instead of the unknown, she could clearly see her path laid out before her.

Q: How can faculty and staff help get the word out to students?
A: If you hear a student mention wanting to transfer or go to Texas State, encourage them to talk to their assigned advisor. We would love to have that conversation with them, especially early on in their college career. You can also refer them directly to Transfer Services, who are incredibly knowledgeable and have direct partnerships with Texas State, or we can make that connection.

If you want to pull up information during class or office hours, visit austincc.edu/batstocats. Encourage them to attend an info session—they are held virtually every other Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m.

Want to learn more? 

There are several opportunities to learn more. Help us spread the word! Let your students know about these upcoming events:

Virtual Information Sessions: Every other Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m.
In-Person Information Session: Tuesday, May 5, 3-4 p.m. | Highland Campus

Familiarize yourself with the program pathways, declaration forms, and eligibility requirements on the Bats to Cats web page. If you or a student has specific questions, reach out to an advisor or email the ACC Bats to Cats team at [email protected].