Singer Cindy Shaffner performs with the Big Swing Jazz Orchestra during the 16th annual ACC Foundation Gala on November 20. The event raised funds for student scholarships and staff development.
|
ACC Regents Approve Strategic Plan
Regents approved the five year strategic plan during their meeting on November 19. The strategic plan will be implemented from 2016 to 2021. It includes six breakthrough goals: become an evidence-based, data-driven organization to improve efficiency and increase student achievement; develop a facility on the west side of the ACC district and address faculty and technology needs for the existing campus; develop branding that is an effective representation of the college and its mission; develop programs and partnerships to meet job market demands; efficiently allocate revenues and strengthen human resources to create a staff that embraces change, supports open communication and provides for ongoing development. Read more about the meeting.
|
 College Honors Vets During Ceremony
ACC honored local veterans and those who have given their lives while serving overseas during a Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11. The college also unveiled updates to the Memorial Wall that now includes those who died while serving in the War on Terror. Several Gold Star families were at the event to honor their loved ones. Those added to the wall are: Army 1st Lt. Timothy W. Cunningham, Alvin, TX; Army Specialist Joshua Lee Hazlewood, of Manvel; Marine Lance Corporal Christopher M. McCrackin, of Alvin; Lance Corporal Ryan A. Miller, of Pearland; Marine Lance Corporal William L. Miller, of Pearland; Army Sgt. James M. Nolen, of Alvin and Army Specialist Brett L. Tribble, of Danbury. Read the full story about the ceremony.
|
ACC, Congressman Encourage Women to Join STEM Fields
 Women who work in the petrochemical industry encouraged young girls to enter into the petrochemical and energy industries during the Women in Engineering Summit on November 6 at the Nolan Ryan Center. The event was sponsored by U.S. Representative Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, and featured speakers who currently work in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (or STEM) fields. Read more about the summit.
|
College, Industry Encourage Changes to Grant ProgramsACC administrators and local industry leaders recently met with government officials in Washington D.C. to discuss possible changes to student financial support and tax credits to facilitate college-industry relationships. Some of the changes include allowing students to use Pell Grants for shorter term courses approved by industry; adjust federal policies, such as Carl D. Perkins funding to build partnerships and offering tax credits; and supplementing wages to train new and current workers. Read the full story.
|
ACC Hosts CIS After School Event
ACC hosted Communities In Schools Lights On After School event on November 5. Students from several Alvin ISD campuses showcased their talents in demonstrations and skits.
|
College to Open Doors on Saturday, January 9
For students who work and may not have time to test, register or apply for financial aid during the week, ACC's Enrollment Services Center will open its doors on Saturday, January 9 for the Super Saturday Registration Blitz. Staff members will be at the college from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Enrollment Services Center to provide help for those wanting to take courses in the spring. Several services will be offered including state-required testing to attend college. Students must register for testing as soon as possible prior to January 9. The tests will be administered starting at 8:15 a.m. Those who need guidance on which courses to take can also visit with academic advisors. Financial Aid staff members will be available to help students apply for assistance to pay for their courses. Once students have finished testing and know which classes they want to take, they can then register for the 2016 spring semester. Students will also obtain their student ID, receive their parking permit and search for their books in the College Store. Prospective students are encouraged to review the steps to get started prior to the event. Find the steps or to sign up for testing visit www.alvincollege.edu or e-mail advising@alvincollege.edu. For details call 281-756-3526.
|
Instructors Learn More about Great Teaching
 Government instructor Elizabeth McLane and Office Administration instructor Dianna Smith attended the 27th Annual Southwest Seminar for Great Teaching on October 29-31 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The conference is built to facilitate communication between instructors throughout the country and develop better teaching methods. There were approximately 50 instructors at the conference who represented approximately 20 colleges from Colorado, Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. Read the full story about the conference.
|
Nursing Instructor Presents Project at National Convention
 Nursing instructor Mary Alice Estes recently presented information regarding flipped classrooms at the Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) conference. The presentation included a game she created called Diabetic Football.The objective of the diabetic football game is to enhance the student's understanding of diabetic management and apply the concept of diabetic education. Estes has utilized the game in her courses. The 2015 OADN conference, held recently in Jacksonville, Florida, gave nurse educators the opportunity to network and improve their understanding of issues facing ADN nursing.
|
Ceramics Participates with Art Education Association
The ceramics department was invited to present at the Texas Art Education Association at the Moody Gardens Convention Center on November 13. Fine Arts Chair Dennis LaValley and instructor Alex Ordonez gave lessons on throwing pots and mask making techniques that will be used in classrooms across the state. ACC staff members and volunteers also helped during the presentations.
|
ACC Hosts Arts Performances for December
 Performances of the Christmas Musical, The Game's Afoot will begin on December 5 at the ACC Theatre at 7:30 p.m. There will be a 2:30 p.m. performance on December 6. The three remaining performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on December 10-12. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 281-756-3606. The Community Chorus will perform their second Christmas Concert on December 8 at the Alvin First United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the community. The church is located at 611 W. South Street in Alvin. The ACC Wind Ensemble will perform its annual Christmas Concert on December 13 at 3:30 p.m. in the ACC Theatre. The concert is free to the public. Click here for a detailed look at the ACC Arts Calendar.
|
 Have Breakfast with Santa on Saturday at ACC
The ACC Can Feed the Hungry/Shellie Garza Memorial Food Drive will hand out its donations to families in need during Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 5. Volunteers will help sort and sack the food at the ACC gym from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on December 4. Breakfast with Santa and the food distribution will be from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the ACC Student Center, 3110 Mustang Road. Food also will be distributed at the New Hope Church, 3640 County Road 58 in Manvel. The public is invited for the breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Santa will be available to take Christmas requests.
|
 Group Focuses on Changing Perception of Campus Domestic Violence
When many people think about domestic violence or relationship violence, college students hardly come to mind. But the statistics show that students age 16 to 24 have a three times greater chance of becoming victims of such violence than other age groups, said Zoe Skinner, program coordinator for the One Love Foundation. Skinner recently visited Alvin Community College, with members of the Houston Area Network of Student Affairs and Union Professionals to discuss methods for increasing awareness and reducing domestic violence among college students. ACC staff members were joined by officials from University of Houston, San Jacinto College, University of Texas Medical Branch and Lone Star College. Read the full story about the presentation.
|
Students Go Over Options During University Day
 Students visited with recruiters from four-year colleges to explore transfer options on University Day. More than 100 students attended the annual University Day event on November 17 where representatives from more than 30 colleges and universities provided information to students interested in transferring once they finish at ACC. Students from Danbury High School also toured ACC and visited with recruiters. Read the full story about the event.
|
ACC Baseball Players to Continue Careers in NCAA
Four baseball players signed letters of intent to continue their careers with the NCAA. First baseman Dakota Phillips signed to play at the University of New Orleans. Pitcher and first baseman Blake Chisolm and pitcher Mark Hammel will join the roster at Sam Houston State University. Pitcher Joey Pullido decided to join the University of Houston's squad. All four players will play their final season with ACC in the spring.
|
|
Calendar of Events
|
|
| Community Chorus Concert
December 8
First United Methodist Church in Alvin
|
December 5: Breakfast with Santa, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Student Center
December 5, 10-12: The Game's Afoot, 7:30 p.m. ACC Theatre
December 6: The Game's Afoot, 2:30 p.m. ACC Theatre
Purchase tickets online!
December 8: CEWD Graduation, 7 p.m. ACC Gym
December 8: Community Chorus
Concert, 7:30 p.m. Alvin Methodist Church
December 9: Nurses Pinning, 7 p.m. ACC Gym
December 9: Law Enforcement Graduation, 7 p.m. ACC Theatre
December 16-January 3:Winter Break, ACC offices closed
January 8: Spring registration ends
January 8: Payment Deadline
January 9: ACC Open Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., ESC
January 18: Martin Luther King day, ACC offices closed
January 19: Classes begin
January 19 - February 5: Art Exhibit Leo Chan Hopes and Dreams: Children in Cambodia, Fine Arts Gallery
February 6: An Evening of Big Band Music, 7 p.m. Nolan Ryan Center
|
|
|
|
|
Message from the President of ACC
|
It's impossible to believe that it's December! The semester has flown by so quickly. Before we know it we will have wrapped up 2015 and will be welcoming in 2016. As we wind down the year I want to say thank you to all of you who do so much for our students and our community. You are making a difference one life at a time. I wish you a restful, peaceful holiday break and one that is filled with the love of family and friends.
Fins Up!
| Dr. Christal M. Albrecht
|
Employee Recognition Award
| | Data/Voice network manager Steve Cabrera received the monthly Employee Recognition Award in November.
|
|
|
Students who want to obtain college credit on subjects which they are already well-educated, can now take specialized testing at Alvin Community College. The college now provides College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) testing, which allows students to earn credit after taking an exam on certain courses. Each exam costs $100 which is much less than paying to attend a college course. ACC started offering the exams this month and students can choose to take the CLEP tests for 33 different courses including : Government, History & Social Sciences, Composition & Literature, Science & Mathematics, Business and World Languages. Bilingual students can also earn up to 14 credits through the CLEP tests. All of the tests are online and students must take them at the college Testing Center. Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes. Funding for CLEP exams is available to certain veterans and active military.
Testers should register and pay for exams through CollegeBoard. Once registered, they should contact the Testing Center to set up an appointment to take the exam by calling 281-756-3526 or email testing@alvincollege.edu.
| Learn More About the Testing at ACC
|
 |
KACC 89.7 FM
Voted Best Station By Houston Press
|
 | | Listen to KACC Live |
|
Dear ACC Alumni, Supporters and Friends,
So you can stay up-to-date on what's going on at ACC with students and alumni quickly and accurately, ACC E-News was created. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services to you. If you ever have any story ideas or suggestions, please send them to:
accnews@alvincollege.edu. |
|
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
| |
Alvin Community College is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, gender equity, sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service or veterans status.
|
|
|
Spring Registration Open
