For the second semester in a row, ACC has a new enrollment record with 5,296 students and 1,034,560 contact hours. Enrollment is up over 17 percent from last spring and nearly 100 more students than the fall semester. This is the first time the college has reached over 1 million in contact hours, as well.

 

Students are shown registering for classes and taking care of various needs at the Enrollment Services Center on Jan. 5.

To give people interested in computer-aided design an opportunity to learn about basic AutoCAD techniques and the various industries they are used, the Industrial Design Technology Department at ACC will offer a free workshop on Feb. 13, March 6, April 17 and May 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hosted by the department's instructors, the workshop will cover an introduction into two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) design using AutoCAD, one of the world's most popular drafting and design software applications. Participants will also learn about the development and applications of a 3D model and observe how a 3D printer works. Each workshop is limited to only 20 participants, so reservations should be made as soon as possible. The workshop will be held in Building N, Room N108. Register online at www.alvincollege.edu/drafting/workshop.html.

The ACC Process Technology Department implemented the use of a virtual reality simulator training program into its curriculum in January. The ExplainMedia's Virtual Refinery Simulator program, developed through a joint venture between Simulation Solutions, Inc. and Sas ICT, was purchased through a Carl Perkins Grant and approved by regents in November. The program will give students the ability to "field test control schemes and outside operator duties against a virtual plant, improve procedures and help develop the safest way to troubleshoot and respond to plant upsets and emergencies." Students will also be able to practice complete start-ups, shut-downs, normal and emergency operations, demonstrating equipment and utility malfunctions, controlling instrumention malfunctions, product quality issues and much more.

 

For a look at the virtual training simulator, visit: www.virtualrefinery.com.  

It is a simple concept that has the potential to make a profound impact: make sure every parent and student in the area is informed of the advantages, opportunities and steps needed to prepare and succeed in higher education. To make this happen, the Alvin-Manvel Area Chamber of Commerce Youth Roundtable, Alvin Independent School District, ACC and local business and community leaders recently formed the Parents Exploring Educational Possibilities for Success (PEEPS) Program.

 

The PEEPS Program kicked off with an informational workshop for Spanish-speaking families at ACC on Jan. 21. Speakers at the program discussed various topics, such as: the importance of graduating high school, a technical school, workforce training or college; economic advantages of post high school education; programs available at Alvin High School and Manvel High School; preparing for college while in high school; taking college entrance examinations and applying for college. Parents were also provided information about financial aid opportunities, types of training and degrees offered at ACC, college admission requirements, ESL classes and more.

 

For the full story, visit: http://testwww.alvincollege.edu/home/news_continued.cfm?nid=1002.

Due to its commitment to providing a comprehensive education, ACC offers free college and career workshops through the Career Services Center to students and the public to gain skills in job hunting, resume writing, interviewing, selecting a career, dressing for success, and more.

 

To learn more, visit: http://testwww.alvincollege.edu/home/news_continued.cfm?nid=995.

The Galveston County Community Action Council, Inc. is offering grants of up to $3,500 to eligible students to participate in workforce training programs through the ACC Continuing Education Workforce Development Department. Applications for the GCCAC grant are now available at www.alvincollege.edu under "New Grant Money Available for Workforce Training" or at the ACC CEWD in building H on the main campus. Completed grant applications that include all required documentation can be submitted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on workforce training programs offered through the ACC CEWD or the Galveston County Community Action Council grant call (281) 756-3787 or e-mail ce@alvincollege.edu.  

The Kurland Street Band will perform at the Annual An Evening of Big Band on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Nolan Ryan Center. Tickets are $10 each and include admission to the dance and light refreshments throughout the evening. Proceeds from the event will benefit ACC Music Department and alumni scholarships. Members of The Kurland Street Band, who have been donating their time to the event since its inception in 1999, have been playing professionally throughout southeast Texas for 25 years. For more information about An Evening of Big Band or to purchase tickets, call (281) 756-3600 or (281) 756-3686.

ACC Band Director David Griffith gave students of the First Steps Early Learning Center, in Alvin, an opportunity to try different instruments during a tour of the ACC Music Department Band Hall on Jan. 27. First Steps brought the students to the main campus to expose them to playing music and being involved in a band. The children were able to experiment with numerous percussion and wind instruments.

 

For information on taking a tour of the department, contact ACC Band Director David Griffith at (281) 756-3588 or dgriffith@alvincollege.edu.

The ACC Associate Degree Nursing Department recently was awarded a $24,000 grant under a program entitled "The Promise of Nursing for Houston/Galveston Nursing School Grant Program Administered by the Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association." The purpose of the grant is twofold. First, funding will provide a day-long seminar on test item writing and analysis. It will also be used to prepare and test faculty and area educators for the National League of Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educators examination. Funding for the grant program was contributed by several hospitals and healthcare agencies in the Houston/Galveston area, by Johnson & Johnson, and by national companies with an interest in supporting nursing education. The funds were raised at a gala fundraising event sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. 

The ACC Foundation and Upward Bound program were awarded a $1,000 State Farm es Para Mi education grant on Jan. 6. The nationwide State Farm es Para Mi (State Farm is For Me) campaign was developed by the insurance company to help "empower Latinos to become full participants in American life through increased civic engagement." Through the ACC Foundation, Executive Director Wendy Del Bello applied for the grant in the fall to help provide scholarship funds for ACC Upward Bound students.

 

For the full story, visit: http://testwww.alvincollege.edu/home/news_continued.cfm?nid=989.

The ACC Career Services Center will host its 7th Annual Healthcare Job Fair on Feb. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m., in the Nolan Ryan Center on the main campus. The job fair is open only to current and former ACC students. Employers from area hospitals and healthcare businesses attend. If students or alumni need help developing a resume before the event, contact the ACC Career Services Center at (281) 756-3560. 

Zhejiang Police College students received firearms training from Alvin and League City Police Department officers during a morning-long course at ACC's indoor range on Jan. 8. The 16 students are participating in an exchange program with Sam Houston State University for an academic year so they can gain experience in working with citizens of other countries and new perspectives in serving the community.

 

As part of the program, SHSU arranged for the students to share the working and social lives of police officers from Alvin and League City for four days. In addition to riding patrol, participating in various duties and living with the officers, the students were able to gain experience in handling various firearms.

 

To watch a short news clip video of the training, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnqZ0j13XTU.