{"id":15,"date":"2023-01-30T17:16:29","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T17:16:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/infohub.austincc.edu\/theory-of-change\/?page_id=15"},"modified":"2026-03-12T14:34:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T20:34:14","slug":"theory-of-change","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/infohub.austincc.edu\/theory-of-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Theory of Change"},"content":{"rendered":"

Austin Community College District (ACC) is setting a bold course toward its North Star Goal: a 70% completion rate by 2030.<\/strong> 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<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

By creating a clear path for students and addressing both academic and personal challenges, we\u2019re committed to loving every student to success \u2014 whether it\u2019s a certificate, associate degree, bachelor\u2019s degree, or transfer.<\/p>\n

From Theory of Change to Practice of Change<\/h2>\n

We believe that to reach our North Star, change must be more than a concept \u2014 it must be a habit. Our Theory of Change design teams have provided the blueprint, and we are now in the process of bringing those recommendations to life. We are officially moving from a Theory of Change to a Practice of Change<\/strong>. This means the work of helping students start strong, enroll full time, meet basic needs, and feel a sense of belonging is no longer an initiative; it is being operationalized as our “business as usual,” ensuring sustainable success for every Riverbat. Check out https:\/\/infohub.austincc.edu\/theory-of-change\/implementation\/ <\/a>to stay up to date on the operationalization of each design team’s work.<\/p>\n

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Theory of Change Pillars<\/h2>\n

ACC\u2019s Theory of Change aligns work across the college. Explore the four pillars to learn how ACC is tackling student success.<\/p>\n

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Start Strong<\/h3>\n

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Start Strong <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Students who start their college journey strong, are more likely to finish strong.<\/p>\n

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Enroll Full time<\/h3>\n

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Enroll Full Time <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Getting our students on a path to attend college full-time is important to their success.<\/p>\n

Learn More.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Meet Basic Needs<\/h3>\n

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Meet Basic Needs <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

When we help our students meet their basic needs, they can better focus on learning.<\/p>\n

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Belonging and Connection<\/h3>\n

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Belonging and Connection<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Data shows that when our students feel a strong sense of connection and community, they excel.<\/p>\n

Learn More.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Share Your Feedback<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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General Comments<\/h2>\n

For everyone
Open Now: <\/strong>
Ongoing Feedback<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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Planning Process<\/h2>\n

Led by a team of tri-chairs, including our Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Provost Dr. Monique Reeves, 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.<\/p>\n

The College established four specialized leadership teams \u2014 composed of ACC subject-matter experts from across the college \u2014 to help ensure an inclusive, collaborative, and transparent process from design to implementation. Learn more about the unique mission of each team below.<\/p>\n

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