Issue 92                      

March 2015   

The Fantasticks Are Coming

Performances of the spring musical, The Fantasticks, will begin on March 7. The musical is the story of a boy and a girl who fall in love, fall out of love and then try to reconnect. It is the world's longest running musical. Performances on March 7 and 12-14 will be at 8 p.m. There will be a 2:30 p.m. performance on March 8. All performances will be in the ACC Theatre. Visit the ACC website to purchase tickets online or call 281-756-3606.

ACC Art Department Chair Dennis LaValley shows Alvin ISD ASSETS students how to spin pottery during a workshop on February 13.
ACC Approves Exit Incentive for Staff Members

 

Regents unanimously approved an early exit incentive for 29 employees during their meeting on February 26. The incentive will save the college approximately $722,775 over the five-year period if all positions are replaced. Staff members accepting the incentive include seven administrators and professionals, nine Technical, Clerical, Support and Maintenance staff and 13 faculty. Board members also approved items to provide upgrades on the campus including new bleachers in the Gym. The board will meet again on Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m. in the Nolan Ryan Center. Read more about the meeting.  

ACC Students Take to Austin for Community College Day

ACC students visited with lawmakers on Community College Day at the Texas Capitol on February 3 to discuss issues facing higher education. Students from community colleges across the state were at the Capitol throughout the day speaking with legislators about a variety of topics including guns on campus, increased dual credit, rising tuition rates and the need for technical training. Read the full story at the ACC website. You can also watch a video about the students' experiences. 
ACC Programs Show Off During Open House on April 9

 

Students, faculty and staff will highlight the college's many programs during the annual Open House on April 9 at the Nolan Ryan Center. The Open House provides the public and potential students a chance to learn about ACC and what it can offer to those seeking higher education or career training. ACC employees and students will host booths at the event to provide information and demonstrate the skills taught in their programs. The activities will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Nolan Ryan Center. The event also will have free food, fun activities, door prizes and scholarships. For more information visit the college website or call 281-756-3550.

ACC Registration for 2nd Spring Mini Closes March 9

 

Registration for the second 8-week mini semester in the spring is now open and will end March 9. Second mini semester classes start March 12. For more information about spring registration visit the ACC website or call 281-756-3531.

International Students Celebrate Native Countries

Several ACC students represented their native countries at ACC on February 25.  Students from Benin, Nigeria, Vietnam, Thailand, Haiti and more shared informative displays as well as donned native clothing, currency and pictures, during the event in the Student Center. ACC has 25 international students who come from 14 different countries.

ACC Hosts Annual Science Fair

 

The college hosted the annual Alvin ISD Science Fair on February 12. Students presented their experiments and research in Biology, Chemistry, Phyics, Botany and Health and Medicine. Students also competed for the first time in a category called Science Product Showcase. Three students were awarded $200 scholarships:Nolan Ryan Junior High student Julia Lenard, Nolan Ryan Junior High student Vishnu Sadagopan and Nolan Ryan Junior High student Nikita Singh. View a complete list of winners.  

ACC Phi Theta Kappa Hosts Garage Sale

The ACC Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa will host a community garage sale fundraiser on Saturday, March 7. Some of the items for sale include: clothing, household goods, furniture, toys and baby items. Proceeds from the event will go towards Phi Theta Kappa to fund various community service projects. Items will be on sale from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the D Building parking lot which is adjacent to Mustang Road. For more information call 281-756-5673. 

Spring 2015 Student Ambassadors

Four new members joined the Student Ambassadors program for the spring 2015 semester. The Student Ambassadors help provide information to potential students about ACC services, help create marketing strategies, conduct campus tours, work community events and even volunteer for College and Foundation events.They are Shemilore Oguntoye, of Alvin; Steven Cabrera, of Angleton; Taylor Fluitt, of Manvel; and Noelle Rebresh, of League City. The returning ambassadors are Erik Hollen, of Houston; Brittany San Miguel, of Alvin; Jeanae Jackson, of Texas City; Madison Goss, of Alvin; and Michelle Manuel, of Alvin. Learn more about the new ambassadors.
TSCM Staff Hold Annual Workshop

 

Technical, Clerical, Support and Maintenance employees got a chance to learn more about strategic planning, social media, campus safety and stress management during an annual enrichment workshop on February 19. President Dr. Christal M. Albrecht spoke with the staff and gathered their input for strategic planning. Allied Health Director Dr. Stacy Ebert discussed methods of dealing with personal stress. ACC Police Master Sgt. Luke Zepeda gave a presentation on how to deal with an active shooter situation on campus. Started in 1992, the TSCM Workshop is the only one of its kind among area community colleges. It is supported by the ACC Foundation. 

Math Review Tool Now Available Free to Students

Students struggling with math now have an online tool available to help them for free. Querium MathBooster is an online math review tool for students which may improve their score on Texas Success Initiative testing. Students enroll on the site via a computer, tablet, or mobile device and can then create a personalized learning path. Then, they will work on mastering those topics found on their path. As part of the spring 2013 pilot, instructors found that students were able to increase their scores when they used the program. Visit the ACC website to check out MathBooster. 


 
Fashion Show Demonstrates How to Dress On The Job

 

Career Services hosted a fashion show on February 26 to show students how to dress appropriately for the workplace. The models dressed in various styles from professional to casual while audience members in the Student Center decided whether they were "hired" or "fired." The event was part of Job Readiness Week, which featured several events including a workshop on resume building and seminars on how social media affects a worker's reputation.

President Takes Questions During Forum

 

Students had a chance to speak with President Dr. Christal M. Albrecht during the annual Presidents Forum on February 17. Students asked Albrecht about issues facing the college including: facilities upgrades, course transfer, instructor shortages, athletics and more. Read the full story about the forum.

Calendar of Events

March 6: Application Deadline for Spring Commencement

March 7: PTK Garage Sale, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. D Building Parking Lot

March 7-14: The Fantasticks, 7 p.m. ACC Theatre

March 9: Registration deadline for second mini semester

March 12: Safe Spring Break Bash, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Student Center

March 16-20: Spring Break, ACC offices closed

March 24: Board of Regents Meeting, 6 p.m. Nolan Ryan Center

April 3-6: Spring Holiday, ACC offices closed

April 9: ACC Open House, Nolan Ryan Center, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

April 15: Summer Registration Opens

April 23: Blue's Birthday Bash, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Student Center

April 23: Board of Regents Meeting, 6 p.m. Nolan Ryan Center

April 27: Awards Day, 12 p.m. ACC Theatre
Message from the President of ACC

 

We have had a busy spring semester so far and I don't see things slowing down anytime soon. Seems like in a blink of an eye, here we are in March! Spring break is just around the corner and hopefully we can hang up our jackets as we begin experiencing warmer, sun-filled days. In the coming months we will be planning a Texas-size going away party for the 29 employees who have decided to exit the college through the exit incentive program that our Board of Regents approved during the February meeting. It will be bittersweet as we say good-bye to colleagues and friends who have dedicated their lives to serving the college. Just think of the collective impact these employees have had on the countless students over the years! Let's enjoy the time we have with these ACC faculty and staff over the next weeks and months.My wish is that your spring break is all you hope for whether that is spending time with friends, traveling to an exotic land, or enjoying quiet times at home.

 

Fins UP!

Dr. Christal M. Albrecht
Program Spotlight
Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy is a healing art and science that requires a balance of academic and technical knowledge, clinical skills, manual dexterity, sensitivity, and awareness. Massage Therapy positions are projected to grow 23 percent in the next 10 years and graduates earn an average of $17.29 an hour, according to the U.S. Labor Department. ACC's Massage Therapy certification is a 256-hour program that includes instruction on Kinesiology, Anatomy and Physiology, massage techniques, Pathology and business practices. The program also includes an internship.  
Learn more at the Massage Therapy website.
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