Austin Community College Highland Campus: A History of Innovation and Transformation
Austin Community College (ACC) has a rich history of providing accessible and quality education to the Central Texas community. From its humble beginnings in the early 1970s to its current status as a leading community college system, ACC has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of its students and the region. A prime example of this evolution is the Highland Campus, a unique and innovative learning environment that transformed a struggling shopping mall into a vibrant educational hub.
The Genesis of Austin Community College
The story of ACC begins in the 1960s when Austin residents and leaders recognized the need for a local community college. Despite repeated attempts in 1963, 1965, and 1968, voters initially rejected proposals for a taxpayer-supported college system. However, in 1972, a revised proposal that allowed the Austin Independent School District (AISD) to operate and fund the new college garnered voter approval.
ACC officially opened its doors on September 17, 1973, with a mission to provide affordable, quality college education to anyone seeking it. Classes began in various locations throughout the city, serving an initial enrollment of 2,200 students. The administrative offices were located on the Ridgeview campus, formerly the Anderson High School building in East Austin. Thomas M. Hatfield was appointed as the first president of the college.
From the outset, ACC embraced diversity, welcoming students of all ages, ethnic groups, and educational backgrounds. The college quickly gained recognition and accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in 1978.
Growth and Expansion
As the student population grew, ACC recognized the need for greater financial autonomy. In 1981, the college successfully petitioned voters in Travis County to establish ACC as a county-wide public college with its own taxing authority, enabling it to issue bonds for facility expansions and renovations.
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Over the years, ACC expanded its reach by annexing surrounding regions into its tax district, allowing residents of those areas to benefit from in-district tuition rates. This strategic growth led to the establishment of multiple campuses throughout the Austin metropolitan area and beyond.
The Highland Campus: A Visionary Transformation
One of the most transformative developments in ACC's history is the creation of the Highland Campus. In the early 2000s, Highland Mall, a once-thriving shopping center in north Austin, began to decline. Recognizing an opportunity to create a unique learning environment, ACC started purchasing portions of the property in 2010. By 2012, the college owned the entire site, including the mall buildings and surrounding parking lots.
The vision for the Highland Campus was to create a national model for innovative learning, sustainability, and training facilities. ACC hired O'Connell Robertson and their sub-consultants to develop a Master Plan for the campus. The Academic Master Plan outlined the programs to be located at HLC and assessed the physical facilities to determine the space needed for the various proposed uses. The planners recommended a long-range plan for space allocation, including quantities and adjacencies, as well as a location for the central mechanical plant and a parking plan.
ACC opened the Highland Campus to students in fall 2014.
Highland Campus: A Hub for Innovation and Learning
Today, ACC Highland Campus (HLC) spans approximately 1.2 million gross square feet. The former JC Penney store, comprising about 200,000 gross square feet, was renovated and opened in August 2014 as part of Phase I of the campus development.
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ACC Highland has become a premier learning destination, offering a wide array of programs and resources. It is home to the ACCelerator, the nation's largest interactive learning hub, featuring over 600 computer stations. The campus also houses the Texas A&M Engineering Academy sponsored by Samsung Austin Semiconductor, the Bioscience Incubator, the Fashion Incubator, and the new IMPACT Lab for Manufacturing.
In addition to career-technical training and general education courses intended for university transfer, ACC Highland offers an extensive arts curriculum. The campus has established itself as a hub for innovation and learning, attracting students from diverse backgrounds and interests.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
The development of the Highland Campus also involved recognizing and honoring the history of the land it occupies. The site has deep roots in the African-American community, having been the location of the St. John Regular Missionary Baptist Association's orphan home and school in the early 20th century.
To commemorate this history, ACC has incorporated elements that pay tribute to the past. The Highland paseo features a mural that delves into the history of the St. John Regular Missionary Baptist Association and its significance to the community. Additionally, the St. John’s Encampment Commons, a 2.6-acre green space within the development, serves as a public area with a permanent marker describing the Highland community’s history.
Several street names within the Highland development also honor individuals who have made significant contributions to ACC and the surrounding community:
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- Hage Drive: Named after M.K. Hage Jr., a founding trustee of ACC who served as both president and vice president of the board.
- Jacob Fontaine Lane: Named after Rev. Jacob Fontaine, who played a key role in developing the Highland area and whose leadership in the St. John Baptist Association benefited the African-American community in Central Texas.
- Stephen Kinslow Way: Named after Dr. Kinslow, who spent 34 years with ACC and retired as president/CEO in 2011.
- Thomas Hatfield Way: Named after Dr. Hatfield, ACC’s founding president.
- Wilhelmina Delco Drive: Named after Delco, a founding trustee for the college who served as board secretary.
- Will Davis Drive: Named after Davis, who served as ACC’s founding board president.
ACC Today: A Comprehensive Community College System
Today, ACC serves more than 70,000 unique students each year through its credit, Adult Education, and Continuing Education programs. The college offers associate degrees and career/technical certificate programs in more than 100 areas of study, as well as four bachelor's degree programs.
ACC's commitment to providing accessible and affordable education remains steadfast. The college offers a wide range of resources and support services to help students succeed, including academic advising, tutoring, financial aid, and career services.
ACC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.
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