As Austin Community College (ACC) continues its transition to a “School of” structure this fall, two Academic Affairs areas are adopting new names that better reflect the breadth of their work and the students they serve.

Adult Education will become the School of College Readiness, and Continuing Education will become the School of Community Education. While the names are changing, each School remains committed to expanding access, supporting student success, and meeting the evolving needs of Central Texas.

This article is part of an ongoing series highlighting ACC’s Academic Affairs Schools as the College implements the name changes ahead of the fall semester.

School of College Readiness

Previously known as Adult Education, the School of College Readiness reflects the variety of opportunities available to students preparing for college and careers. While many people associate the term “Adult Education” primarily with GED® preparation, the School serves learners with a wide range of goals, from improving English language skills and preparing for college-level coursework to building confidence for future careers.

“While GED® preparation remains a core part of what we do, the name School of College Readiness better reflects the full depth of our mission,” said Dean Kathy Dowdy. “When someone steps into our classrooms, they are on an active college and career pathway—and they truly belong here at ACC.”

According to Dr. Elizabeth Knight, associate vice chancellor for the Division of Liberal Arts & Sciences (previously Academic Programs), the new name provides greater clarity about the School’s purpose while aligning with ACC’s broader student success goals. 

“The shift from Adult Education to the School of College Readiness is not a transformation of mission; rather, an essential call for clarity,” said Knight. “The term ‘Adult Education’ never accurately described the true work of the School. Renaming [it] clearly reflects its core mission: to bridge students across every course into their next academic step and build their confidence along the way.”

Recent Milestones & Successes

Over the past year, the School has celebrated several significant milestones. Following ACC’s Free Tuition initiative, College Prep enrollment increased by 250% over the previous fall. 

The School continued expanding partnerships across the College to strengthen pathways into credit programs through coordinated work with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Integrated Reading and Writing, and Developmental Math. It also maintained strong completion rates in its GED® and Career Pathways programs despite delays in federal grant funding.

The School’s impact is perhaps best illustrated through the success of its students.

Dowdy points to student Suha Kavakli, who earned her GED® in 2024 before enrolling in ACC’s healthcare program. A first-generation college student and English language learner, Kavakli completed the School’s GED®, ESOL, and Texas Success Initiative Assessment Prep programs while utilizing Student Accessibility Services and tutoring resources. After serving as a featured student speaker at ACC’s 2026 Honor Society event, her journey continues to inspire students beginning their own educational paths.

What’s Next

Leaders are excited about what the new name communicates to prospective students and the community.

“[The] ‘School of College Readiness’ sends a clear message to our students, staff, and community about who we are and what we are here to achieve,” said Dowdy. “Removing the ambiguity of our previous name eliminates guesswork and clears the way for us to focus on what matters most: preparing students for their next big step.”

School of Community Education

Previously Continuing Education, the School of Community Education better reflects the variety of educational opportunities available beyond traditional degree pathways. Whether learners are pursuing a new career, earning an industry credential, developing professional skills, or exploring a personal interest, the School provides flexible learning opportunities designed to meet people wherever they are.

“Our new name reflects a much broader and more accurate description of who we are, what we do, and who we serve,” said Interim Dean Don Tracy. “We provide a range of accessible learning experiences,” he says. “[It] reflects our commitment to being a place for the whole community to come and learn; we are the community’s college.”

Dr. Brandon Whatley, associate vice chancellor for the Division of Professional Technical Education (previously Workforce Education), says the name also reconnects the School with ACC’s founding mission. “By returning to the name ‘Community Education,’ we realign with our roots and mission to serve all members of the local community regardless of where they are on their educational path,” said Whatley.

Recent Milestones & Successes

Throughout the past year, the School has expanded workforce partnerships, launched new initiatives, and strengthened connections throughout Central Texas. Highlights include: 

  • Implementing a scoring model to align programming with workforce demand 
  • Expanding customized training with partners such as Austin Energy, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Cognizant, PepsiCo (Siete Foods), the University of Texas, Austin Voices for Education and Youth, and Austin Achieve Public Schools
  • Growing programs such as Medical Assistant, Skills, Training, and Education for Personal Success (STEPS), and Craft Professions

The School also collaborated with more than 60 community partners to host over 260 learning experiences during this year’s Central Texas Learning Festival, reinforcing its commitment to building a culture of lifelong learning throughout the region.

Across its workforce, community, and corporate education programs, the School continues to create opportunities that lead to industry-recognized credentials, stackable pathways into credit programs, and customized training that supports both individual learners and regional employers.

What’s Next

School leaders are focused on strengthening long-term relationships with students throughout their educational journeys.

“As we move away from a transactional learning model to a relationship-driven one, we will actively work with our students across multiple learning experiences throughout their professional and personal lives,” said Tracy. “We desire to support our students from their initial expression of interest in learning to their first class, and on into credit-bearing degrees or other professional and personal development opportunities. Our purpose is to build a culture of lifelong learning in the Central Texas community for all of our students.”

Looking Ahead

The transition to ACC’s School structure is designed to help students more easily understand the College’s academic offerings while better reflecting the work happening across each area.

As the School of College Readiness and School of Community Education begin this next chapter, both remain focused on expanding access, strengthening communities, and creating pathways that empower learners throughout every stage of their educational journeys.

Find more information, frequently asked questions, implementation timeline, and more on the “Schools of” change here.

Contributed by Academic Affairs Communications