Austin Community College District’s (ACC) cultural centers transitioned to Academic Affairs effective November 1, creating new opportunities to connect their work more directly with curriculum, faculty expertise, and student learning.
As Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Gaye Lynn Scott shared when the transition was announced, the move provides an opportunity to “build on their good work and expand their direct ties to curriculum and student learning.”
Here’s how the centers will align with the following Academic Affairs areas under the new structure:
- African American Cultural Center (AACC): School of Social & Behavioral Sciences, led by Dean Stewart
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Cultural Center (AAPI): School of Business, led by Dean Lorlie Braxton
- Intersectionality Center (IC) and Truth, Community Healing, and Transformation Center (TCHTC): Library Services, led by Dean Keri Moczygemba
- Latin American Cultural Center (El Centro): School of Arts & Creative Industries, led by Dean Perry Crafton
- Peace and Conflict Studies Center (PACS): School of Humanities & Communication, led by Dean Toño Ramirez (established alignment serving as a precedent for this approach)
Connecting the Centers With Academic Affairs
Each alignment creates opportunities to connect the centers more broadly with academic programs, faculty expertise, and student learning while preserving their collegewide reach.
For example, the new structure may support additional interdisciplinary collaboration around cultural and global perspectives, communication and conflict resolution, research and scholarship, human dynamics and local and national contexts, and arts and creative expression.
The centers will continue to serve students, faculty, and employees across ACC through programming, dialogue, resources, and learning opportunities.
Get Involved
Faculty and employees are encouraged to explore ways to connect with the centers through upcoming events, classroom partnerships, interdisciplinary programming, and other collaborative opportunities.
Center directors can also be reached via email directly for inquiries:
- AACC: Director, Roland Hayes, [email protected]
- AAPI: Director, Lam “Lynn” Lau, [email protected]
- El Centro: Director, Gary Moreno, [email protected]
- IC: Director, Dr. Tomas Boatwright, [email protected]
- PACS: Director, Shirin Khosropour, [email protected]
- TCHTC: Director, Dr. Khayree Williams, [email protected]
Students can continue to participate in center programs, connect with resources, and engage in experiences that complement their learning inside and outside the classroom.
Additional information about programs, partnerships, and opportunities to get involved will be shared throughout the academic year.
Contributed by Academic Affairs Communications