Austin 2030 November Update & ACC Site Visit

We are on the road to a College Promise in Austin. Please join us for our first promise site visit to our own Austin Community College.

1. RSVP FOR SITE VISIT TO AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Thursday, December 5 from 8 AM - 1:30 PM
Presentation Hall, Building 2000, ACC Highland Campus

Incredible and innovative things are happening at Austin Community College! This is your chance to see it up close and hear about this transformational work from ACC leaders.

Want to learn more about ACC's five-year free tuition pilot for graduating high school students and GED completers?
Did you know that ACC's vision is "To love our students to success."?

Join Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart and his team to hear firsthand how ACC is centering their students, transforming lives, and enriching our community.

8 AM - ACC Highland Tour - Culinary Program, Food Pantry, and Advanced Manufacturing Program
9 AM - Keynote Conversation with Chancellor Russell Lowery-Hart
10:30 AM - ACC Funding Model and Free-Tuition Data Points and Trends with Vice Chancellors Chris Cervini and Jenna Cullinane Hege
11:15 - Panel Discussion with Associate Vice Chancellor Dorado Kinney and ACC Recruiting Team
Noon - Lunch with ACC students

RSVP INFO: Click here to receive a calendar invite to RSVP and reserve your spot. If you know a board member, colleague, or community member who supports education in Austin, we encourage you to forward this invitation or reach out to Stacey at stacey.oliver@austin2030.org.

2. CARVER PROGRAMS FOLLOW UP
Thanks to everyone that was able to join us last week for our two-part program at the George Washington Carver Museum and Carver Library. We left each program deeply grateful and wishing for more time to listen and learn.

Our time in the Carvery Library was powerful, and we were honored to meet Alex Porter. The Statesman was spot-on when they described him as a "guardian of civic memory." Mr. Porter's personal story was inspiring and reminded us of the importance of our shared work to ensure that ALL our kids have a place in the prosperity of our city.

UT faculty Denisa Gándara and Elizabeth Bell brought warmth, passion, and deep expertise to our Lunch & Learn. Their discussion highlighted the very strong evidence base for college promise programs. You can view their presentation here.

3. KUDOS & CELEBRATIONS
We are happy to share good news about important work taking place across the Austin 2030 Network. Have good news you'd like to share with the Network? Email Stacey at stacey.oliver@austin2030.org.

> CIS is going to college!
Communities In Schools of Central Texas received a grant from the Greater Texas Foundation to begin working on three Austin Community College campuses. This new work means that Communities In Schools will be working cradle-to-career to support Austin kids and their families.

> A Win for Travis County Proposition A
Travis County voters approved a 2.5 cent property tax increase to increase support for early childhood, after-school, and summer care for nearly 9,000 children and youth. The United Way of Greater Austin convened Affordable Childcare Now, a coalition of stakeholders and civic leaders demonstrating the power of collective action to drive transformational change.

> Voters Approve Austin ISD Proposition A
Austin voters approved a tax rate increase that will generate $41 million in new revenue for AISD. The district has earmarked $17.8 million for a compensation plan that provides 85% of district teachers and staff with new raises. The new revenue will also allow the district to chip away at its budget deficit and fund more mental health and special education supports for schools.

> Austin Community College District Welcomes Lockhart
Lockhart voters approved an ad valorem tax measure to join the Austin Community College District. Lockhart residents can now take advantage of in-district benefits, including ACC's free-tuition pilot program.

> Patrick Patterson Elected to Manor ISD Board of Trustees
Austin 2030 stakeholder, Director of K-12 Partnerships in UT's College of Education, and former AISD teacher and principal, Patrick Paterson was sworn in earlier this week as a new trustee on Manor ISD's School Board.

4. OTHER NEWS & INFORMATION

Landmark Decision by University of Texas Board of Regents
Thursday brought great news for Texas students and more tailwinds for our work to establish a comprehensive promise for Austin youth.

The University of Texas System gave preliminary approval to providing undergraduates attending any of its nine academic institutions, whose families make $100,000 or less, with free tuition. Students must be Texas residents enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program and apply for applicable state and financial aid to qualify. Read more here.

Interested in Austin 2030's Roadmap to an Austin Promise?
Together with our partners and stakeholders, Austin 2030 seeks to accelerate change and increase the number of students in Austin earning a postsecondary credential and employed in a living-wage job. Austin 2030 has developed a three-phased Roadmap to an Austin Promise that outlines a pathway to a comprehensive college promise for Austin youth.

Please reach out with questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions:

Stacey Oliver, Austin 2030 Network Lead
stacey.oliver@austin2030.org or 512.289.2213

Austin College Promise Progress and Opportunity

Please reach out with questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions:

Austin College Promise
Progress and Opportunity