.png)
AUSTIN – Austin Community College and its Elgin campus were recognized by Gov. Greg Abbott with the 2023 Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Award, following the city’s new day dedicated to its celebration.
The commendation was given to ACC, among other Texas public institutions of higher education, Oct. 11.
The award was established by the Texas Legislature and honors universities for providing excellence in education and related services that significantly contribute to the academic success of student veterans and military- connected scholars.
“I thank these institutions for continuing to provide comprehensive services for student veterans,” said the governor. “Texans are forever indebted to our veterans and their families, and we will continue to help support their success so they can thrive here in Texas.” This comes after the Elgin City Council named Sept. 23 a day dedicated to recognizing the positive impact that the 50-year-old campus has had on the city.
ACC was established to serve the career, technical and higher education needs of the community.
“It has served the Central Texas area by providing promising pathways to hundreds of thousands of high school students seeking early access to college, traditional college-aged students seeking to transfer to a four-year university and adults seeking to skill-up and advance in their career,” said Elgin Mayor Theresa McShan during a recent city council meeting.
Over the years, ACC’s service area has grown to a region that is geographically the size of Connecticut with a taxing district that includes seven school districts, including Elgin Independent School District.
The college is now recognized as one of the largest community colleges in the nation, with 11 campuses, more than 100 programs of study, nearly 6,000 staff members and over 70,000 students served each academic year.
In addition to offering workforce certificates and associate degrees, ACC also grants select bachelor’s degrees in high-demand industries.
The school emphasizes hands-on, experiential and personalized learning opportunities, establishing innovative facilities, McShan added.
ACC has long been a leader in providing free college to high school students through dual credit courses, early college high schools, career academies and P-Tech programs. This ultimately helps families save thousands of dollars in higher education costs and increases the college-going rates of high school graduates.
Recognized for its work to close equity gaps in higher education, the school is one of the nation’s Achieving the Dream Leader Colleges for improving student outcomes and elevating the importance of completion milestones.
Additionally, ACC was recognized and awarded the prestigious national Seal of Excelencia for its high level of commitment and effort to successfully serve Latino students.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized ACC as having the state’s best rate of academic transfer success for students seeking a bachelor’s degree at a college. They work collaboratively with business and industry partners across Central Texas to help the region meet its diverse and growing workforce needs.
McShan closed the proclamation by giving particular recognition to Chancellor Richard Rhodes, who helped the college evolve in its service under his guidance.
