Austin Community College (ACC) students join hundreds of their peers from across the state for Community College Day, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, January 30, to raise awareness of issues critical to community college students.

Sponsored by the Texas Association of Community Colleges, Community College Day gives students a chance meet with legislators while learning about civic engagement.

“Decisions made at the State Capitol have a direct impact on our students,” says Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm, ACC executive vice president for Campus Operations and Public Affairs. “This is a unique opportunity for our students to speak with their representatives and address how our elected leaders can help them on their educational journeys.”

ACC’s legislative priorities include:

• Funding: Texas community colleges seek an 8 percent ($144 million) increase in state formula funding.
• Dual Credit: Broaden the reach of dual credit programs and sustain their quality. Dual credit helps students save money and earn college credit while they are still in high school. They also are a key component in the state’s 60X30TX strategy.
• Workforce Education: Expand career and technical education (CTE) dual-credit offerings as well as workforce continuing education (CE) programs.

Following remarks by several legislative and community college leaders on the Capitol steps at 9 a.m., students will visit the offices of several Central Texas House and Senate members who represent the
ACC District.

Registration for Community College Day is now available online. For more information about ACC Student Government, visit austincc.edu/sga.