Austin Community College District (ACC) is setting a bold course toward its North Star Goal: a 70% completion rate by 2030. To make this vision a reality, ACC is harnessing insights from our students, employees, and community to address the most pressing barriers to success. With this feedback and deep data analysis, we developed a comprehensive strategic plan, our Theory of Change, focused on four core activities: helping students start strong, encouraging full-time enrollment, supporting their basic needs, and fostering a sense of belonging and connection.
By creating a clear path for students and addressing both academic and personal challenges, we’re committed to loving every student to success — whether it’s a certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or transfer.
Theory of Change Pillars
ACC’s Theory of Change aligns work across the college. Explore the four pillars to learn how ACC is tackling student success.
Share Your Feedback
Improving student success at Austin Community College takes everyone. Your comments, questions, and ideas are important. Please submit your feedback using the form below. Comments to specific design teams can be sent through surveys found at the bottom of the individual design team webpages. View Design Teams.
General Comments
For everyone
Open Now:
Ongoing Feedback
Planning Process
Led by a team of tri-chairs, including our Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Provost Dr. Monique Umphrey, and Professor Dr. Samantha Croft, the Theory of Change initiative is grounded in a set of tenets, values, and guiding principles that serve as the foundation for our work ahead.
The College established four specialized leadership teams — composed of ACC subject-matter experts from across the college — to help ensure an inclusive, collaborative, and transparent process from design to implementation. Learn more about the unique mission of each team below.
- Design Teams – Members of our Theory of Change design teams use research and best practices to develop recommended strategies under the four pillars of the Theory of Change. Meet the teams.
- Development Teams – Members of the Development Teams ensure resource access between Design Teams and root college-wide supporting partners deeply within the ongoing work. Meet the teams.
- Steering Committee – Members of the Steering Committees provide guidance to the Design Teams and help prioritize and organize the teams’ collective work. Meet the team.
- Theory of Change Institute – Members of the Institute engage in monthly meetings, collaborative training sessions, and special events focused on innovation and problem-solving. The Institute explores topics such as effective teamwork, change management, organizational structures, and data storytelling. Meet the team.
- Chancellor’s Leadership Institute – Meet the team.
- Chancellor’s Cabinet – Members of the Chancellor’s Cabinet review and approve strategies and assign the appropriate college departments and teams to budget, implement, and track progress for the selected Theory of Change strategies. Meet the team.
News and Updates
You can follow news and updates about the Theory of Change work happening at ACC in our special newsfeed below.
-
The Phase 2 Exchange is coming!
You heard an update from the six Phase 1 teams in February at the Phase 1 Theory of Change Exchange, and now it is the Phase 2 team’s turn. Join us on May 9th at … Continue reading -
We’re excited to introduce a new way to stay connected on the Theory of Change initiative—without adding another newsletter or email to your inbox! The ACC TOC Grapevine is designed to provide quick, behind-the-scenes updates … Continue reading -
Thank you to everyone who attended the Theory of Change Exchange on Feb 28th. We had 380 participants online and around 200 in person. That is incredible! If you were unable to attend, the slide … Continue reading -
Join us on February 28th to hear an update from the Phase 1 design teams and have an opportunity to give input to representatives from all 14 design teams. We hope to see you there, … Continue reading -
2024 was a historic year for ACC with the launch of the Theory of Change initiative. Below are a few noteworthy highlights from the work this year. For a more detailed list, see our January … Continue reading