ACC Highland Campus Advisory Committee Date:

Friday, September 25, 2015

Time:

11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Chair: Vice-Chair:

Joene Grissom Linda Morrison

Location:

HBC 301.0

Committee Members Present:

Presenters:

Guests continued:

James Bear Creola Burns Sandy Dochen Douglas Gibbins Garrett Grimmett

Nereida Celis Dr. Ben Ferrell Deanna Johnson Dorado Kinney Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm

Leah Figueroa Marie Fofi David Fonken Virginia Fraire Mary Gilmer

Soon Merz Glynis Miller Teresa Moore Rafael Ochoa Daniel O'Hanlon

Joene Grissom Jeff Jack Martha Koock Ward Megan McCormack Linda Morrison Dr. Mary Jane McReynolds for Lauren Sebel Mel Waxler

Paul Mason

Stacey Guney Jeff Harris Caroline Hernandez Tyquan Humphery Dr. Betty Hwang

Sheryl Powell Jennifer Powers Rebecca Robinson-Francis Rachel Ruiz Jason Sanchez

Alison Judice

Guadalupe Sosa

Wade Bradfute

Allen Kaplan

Eva Thomsen

FC Caranikas Pamela Collier Samantha Cook Lea Elsbury Erica Ervin

Amber Kelley D. Kirk Kirkland Jose Lamas Vanessa Malo

Laura Torres Donald Tracy Dr. Victor Villarreal Patricia Zuniga

Committee Members Absent: Ping Chu Katrina Daniel Dr. Kevin Foster Lauren Sebel

Bill Mullane Guests: Hector Aguilar Richard Armenta

Minutes Agenda item 1:

Welcome, Introduction, Refreshments

Presenter:

Ms. Joene Grissom

Discussion: Ms. Joene Grissom called the meeting to order at 11:11 AM and then welcomed Campus Advisory Committee (CAC) members, guest speakers, and attendees. Ms. Grissom welcomed and introduced the ACC Board of Trustees in attendance, Dr. Victor Villarreal, Chair; Allan Kaplan, Vice Chair; and Dr. Betty Hwang. Decision/Actions:

Follow-Up items

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Agenda item 2:

Approval of April 13, 2015 Meeting Minutes

Presenters:

Discussion:

Ms. Grissom asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the April 13, 2015 meeting.

Ms. Joene Grissom Ms. Linda Morrison

Decision/Actions: Mr. Mel Waxler moved to approve, Ms. Linda Morrison seconded the motion. The committee unanimously approved the April 13, 2015 minutes. Follow-up items

Agenda item 3:

Person responsible

Election of Highland CAC Chair and Vice Chair; Review of CAC By-Laws; Conflict of Interest

Presenter:

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Dr. Ben Ferrell

Discussion: Dr. Ben Ferrell, Executive Vice President, Finance & Administration, reviewed the Campus Advisory Committee’s ByLaws that were added on February 2, 2014. Dr. Ferrell asked that members review the by-laws, but mentioned several highlights:  Each CAC must meet at least once per year or as often as the CAC Citizens Advisory Committee deems necessary.  Annually, one Chair and one Vice-Chair shall be appointed by the elected membership.  The CAC shall present an annual report to the ACC Board of Trustees detailing the work of the committees and any other requests made by the ACC Board Chair. Dr. Ferrell asked that all voting members of the committee sign and return a conflict of interest form by the end of the meeting. Dr. Ferrell reminded all attendees that they were welcome to attend the student forum that would begin immediately following the adjournment of the meeting. Dr. Ferrell moved to elect the CAC Chair. Mr. Mel Waxler nominated to re-elect Ms. Joene Grissom as CAC Chair. Ms. Linda Morrison seconded the nomination, and the committee unanimously approved the re-election of Ms. Joene Grissom to CAC Chair. Dr. Ferrell moved to elect the CAC Vice-Chair. Ms. Linda Morrison nominated Mr. Douglas Gibbins as CAC Vice-Chair. Mr. Mel Waxler seconded the nomination, and the committee unanimously approved the election of Mr. Douglas Gibbins to CAC Vice-Chair. The CAC By-Laws are available online at the CAC website. Decisions/Actions: 

Ms. Joene Grissom re-elected as CAC Chair.



Mr. Douglas Gibbins elected as CAC Vice-Chair.

Follow-up Items

Agenda item 4:

Person responsible

Follow-up Briefing of Austin City council Agenda Item from June 26, 2014

Presenter:

Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm

Discussion:

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Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm, Vice President, External Affairs, conducted a follow-up briefing regarding the resolution passed by the Austin City Council in June 2014. The City Council initiated the Airport Boulevard Project in 2009 to transform and restore local businesses, rail stops, and neighborhoods around the Highland Mall. In 2012, ACC acquired the land to redevelop the declining Highland Mall into a flagship campus and to redevelop the surrounding parking area into an activities center. The City Council approved a resolution to find financing options for the revamped infrastructure. Due to re-elections and turnover among the city council, little has progressed with regard to the aforementioned resolution. Recently, however, the CAC has begun discussing with city staff methods that would mutually benefit the ACC, the city, and the surrounding Highland area. Dr. Malcolm mentioned that Assistant City manager Rodney Gonzalez is CAC’s point of contact during these discussions. Ms. Martha Koock Ward asked whether the advisory group and any citizen could aid in quickening this process, to which Dr. Malcolm determined there were no necessary steps that could be taken at this time. Mr, Jeff Jack questioned whether the delay in the resolution’s progress has impacted ACC’s current needs and the original agreement to which Dr. Malcolm affirmed that ACC had did not take part in drafting the resolution; however, ACC does not disagree with any of its components. Mr. Jack pushed for a more transparent and open dialogue among ACC, the city council, and the public. Mr. Jack also asked that a member of the CAC be more a part of those discussions in order to bring about more transparency. Decisions/Actions: 

Ms. Joene Grissom asked that Dr. Malcolm update the committee of the resolution’s progress and discussions with city officials.

Follow-up Items 

Update the committee regarding the resolution’s progress and discussions with city officials.

Agenda item 5:

Update on Future Wet Labs at HLC

Person responsible Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm

Presenter:

Deadline Next CAC meeting

Mr. Paul Mason

Discussion: Mr. Paul Mason, ACC Project Manager, updated the committee about the Future Wet Labs at HLC. In 2014, ACC was awarded the Emerging Technology Fund, a grant worth $4.9 million. Part of that grant funded pharmaceutical research at third-party facilities in Georgetown. Another part of the grant will fund the design and construction of the Future Wet Labs. And another part of the grant will allow ACC to purchase equipment that will stock the wet labs. The Futures Wet Labs comprise four separate lab spaces that will hopefully be leased to outside companies for pharmaceutical research. Per their individual leases, these companies will be able to conduct their research in privacy from others and will employ ACC students as interns to gain hands-on experience. The 8,500 sq.-ft. facility will also include a microbiology lab, administrative offices, a conference center, and a synergistic hub for students in between classes. Mr. Mason announced that Dr. Tyler Drake had been hired in July to manage the new facility. The design of the Future Wet Labs will mimic the Highland Learning Center’s to allow a sense of connection between the two facilities. To simplify the distinction for students, faculty and staff, each lab will be designed by its own unique color. These colors will also allow the learning experience to be less cumbersome. Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm announced that a ground breaking had been scheduled for February 4, 2016 at 10 am. This date will allow Senator Kirk Watson, who was instrumental to ACC’s acquisition of the ETF grant, to attend. Mr. Sandy Dochen asked if ACC were partnering with the University of Texas to help transition ACC student interns to UT. Dr. David Fonken clarified that the partnership with UT was merely to help students gain practical experience within the industry and help foster future employment in the local community. Page 3 of 7

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Mr. Dochen, with IBM, offered the committee and its attendees the opportunity to tour the IBM lab facilities, which will be similar to the Future Wet Labs. Dr. Charles Cook stated that they had already visited the IBM lab and hoped that the new ACC labs would be similar. Dr. Ben Ferrell announced that the designs for the new facility would be completed in September and that the facility would hopefully open in the fourth quarter of FY17. Mr. Paul Mason’s presentation of the ACC Wet Labs is available online. Decisions/Actions:

Follow-up Items: Agenda item 6:

Person responsible Update on ACC Bond Projects

Presenter:

Deadline

Mr. Bill Mullane

Discussion: Mr. Bill Mullane, Vice President, Facilities and Construction, updated the committee on the various bond projects underway at ACC. First, Mr. Mullane congratulated HLC on becoming the first ACC campus to earn Lead Gold status from the U.S. Green Building Council. Along with the other three Lead Silver campuses, ACC hopes to continue its sustainability policies on all future work. Mr. Mullane reminded the audience that voters approved a bond package in November 2014. Proposition I of the bond package allowed $225 million toward Phase II development plans: renovations at ACC Highland. Proposition I also allows the creation of a new campus in Leander and the purchase of land for a future campus in south-east Austin that would foster workforce development programs such as welding, construction and more. Proposition II of the bond package will allow renovations to the Rio Grande campus and extensions to the Round Rock, Elgin, and Hays campuses. During these alterations, resources such as staff and courses will be allocated to other campuses. The Rio Grande campus building is a 100-year-old former middle school that is unable to support modern facility capabilities. An accelerator lab will be a part of the Rio Grande renovations, which are expected to be completed by Fall 2018. Specialized programs such as culinary arts, music, and various hospitality programs will require newly renovated spaces in which to perform optimally. Campuses whose specialty programs will be affected by and relocated due to renovations and extensions include East View, North Ridge, Pinnacle, and South Austin, as well as courses taught at the Highland Business Center. Mr. Mullane turned the floor over to Dr. Ben Ferrell to emphasize the merits of the accelerator lab that currently exists at HLC. The lab is based on Virginia Tech’s accelerator lab built in 1997. The lab supports student development in areas of mathematics by allowing students to work at their own pace so that they have a firm grasp on the concepts. The lab also allows ACC to adapt to future technological innovations pertaining to learning and teaching methodologies. A smaller accelerator lab will be built at the upcoming Leander campus. Dr. Ferrell returned the floor back to Mr. Mullane. All future renovations and extensions will follow current ACC sustainability standards. Accessibility issues, outdated heating and cooling systems, and safety and security systems are but a few areas that will be updated through renovations and extensions. Some of these renovations are already underway in various capacities throughout the district. ACC also hopes that these renovation and extension projects will allow each campus to have their own identity so that students will remember them fondly years after they have completed their education with ACC. Mr. Dochen asked how many more students could be accommodated at Round Rock following extensions. Mr. Mullane stated the plan is to host an additional 1,200 students once extensions are completed by Spring 2018. Tentative timeline for Phase II renovations and extensions is as follows: Rio Grande:  Architects and engineers selected in November 2015 Page 4 of 7

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 

Construction manager selected in February 2016 Open for classes in Fall 2018

Round Rock campus:  Architects and engineers selected on September 8, 2015  Construction manager selected in January 2016  Open for classes in Spring 2018 Elgin campus:  Architects and engineers selected in December 2015  Construction manager selected in March 2016  Open for classes in Spring 2018 Hays campus:  Architects and engineers selected in December 2015  Construction manager selected in March 2016  Open for classes in Spring 2018 Issues impacting these renovations and extensions include proper staffing and the oversaturated construction market. Mr. Bill Mullane’s presentation of the ACC Bond Projects is available online. Decisions/Actions:

Follow-up Items

Agenda item 7:

Person responsible

ACC Vision and Value Statements

Presenter:

Deadline

Mr. Dorado Kinney

Discussion: Mr. Dorado Kinney, Dean of Student Services, reviewed ACC’s Vision and Values Statement and its impact as ACC moves toward a guided pathways model of education. ACC’s vision is to be recognized as the preferred gateway of higher education and training, and as a catalyst for social equity, economic development, and personal enrichment. ACC’s values statement is represented by the acronym C.A.R.E.S.: Communication: values open and responsible exchange of ideas. Access: values open door to educational potential. Responsiveness: targeted actions to address our service area and internal needs within our available resources. Excellence: the commitment to integrity and exemplary standards. Stewardship: Personal and professional ownership that generates accountability. Trustee Dr. Villarreal stated the Board of Trustees will review ACC’s mission, vision and values within the next 18 to 24 months to make changes if necessary. Ms. Grissom mentioned that ACC will have to adapt to the population increase Austin will experience over the next three decades. Mr. Kinney turned the floor over to Nereida Cellis and Deanna Johnson of the Futures Institute to discuss their goals for future education at ACC. Mr. Dorado Kinney’s presentation of ACC’s Vision and Values Statement is available online. Decisions/Actions:

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Follow-up Items

Agenda item 8:

Person responsible

Promoting Student Success with Guided Pathways

Presenter:

Deadline

Nereida Cellis Deanna Johnson

Discussion: Ms. Nereida Cellis asked that all in attendance provide their thoughts on the education process at ACC through their own eyes as students, faculty, staff, and citizens. Feedback can be provided at the Futures Institute’s website: . Ms. Cellis turned the floor over to Ms. Deanna Johnson to discuss the importance of redesigning community colleges in the United States. Ms. Johnson provided several statistical figures about community colleges nationally and ACC locally:  Nationally, 43% of undergraduate students are enrolled in community colleges; 54% in Texas.  Nationally. 40% of community college students earn a degree or certificate within six years of enrollment.  In Texas, 32.9% of full-time students and 22.7% of part-time students complete a degree or certificate within six years of enrollment.  At ACC, 26.1% of full-time students and 12% of part-time students complete a degree or certificate within six years of enrollment. Ms Johnson was asked how many students actually enroll without the intention of obtaining a degree or certificate. Dr. Cook clarified that 80% of ACC students enroll with the intent to graduate with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Dr. Cook also stated that ACC has been successful in providing easy access to low-cost higher education, but has had difficulty in maintaining student success in earning a degree or certificate either with ACC or at a university. Ms. Johnson continued to explain the importance of earning a post-secondary degree or certificate:  Most new jobs require a post-secondary education, which can lead to a higher lifetime income.  Nationally, 12% of 25-to-34-year-olds have obtained a post-secondary degree or certificate. Ms. Johnson stated that the state of Texas has responded to these low figures by implementing a plan to have 60% of Texans obtain a post-secondary degree or certificate by 2030. In response, Ms. Grissom stated that there are 46,400 job openings currently in Austin, a majority of which are in the technology, health care, and management industries that require some post-secondary education. However, there simply are not enough individuals graduating with the proper credentials to fill most of those positions. Dr. Cook posited that many high school students do not understand the opportunities that are available to them with a post-secondary education, so they take extraneous courses and drop out of school. Ms. Johnson went on to explain the guided pathways model, which focuses college’s operations on helping students identify their career goals and the educational pathways that will help students achieve those goals. The Futures Institute will be conducting site visits with several prominent universities throughout the U.S. to gauge their effectiveness with the guided pathways model so that ACC may begin implementing their own version. Question: how could ACC faculty, staff and students implement this model and what would be its goals. Ms. Johnson responded that in order to identify those variables they would need to collect further information from every constituent within the education process so that they have a firmer understanding of the issues each one faces and what could be done to resolve those issues. Question: Has the Futures Institute begun conducting discussion groups with educators and community leaders. Ms. Johnson stated that the Futures Institute has only just begun discussions with ACC’s campus advisory committees. The CAC discussed implementing a dual-credit course for high school students that would challenge students to consider their interests and career aspirations. In this way, ACC could provide more direct guidance to each individual Page 6 of 7

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student, thereby increasing the likelihood they will earn some form of post-secondary degree or certificate. Ms. Nereida Cellis and Ms. Deanna Johnson’s presentation of the Guided Pathways at ACC is available online, as is their Future of ACC handout and feedback form. Decisions/Actions:

Follow-up Items

Agenda item 9:

Person responsible

Meeting Adjournment

Presenter:

Deadline

Ms. Joene Grissom

Discussion: Ms. Grissom thanked the guests, presenters, and CAC members and adjourned the meeting at 12:41 p.m.

Decisions/Actions:

Follow-up Items

Person responsible

All presentations are available on the Highland CAC website.

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