Student Intern
Franklin Vinnerlid is a second-year student at Austin Community College pursuing an associate’s degree in History. He has been working as a student intern for the Educating Character Initiative at ACC since January of 2026. He plans to work in the government sector or foreign service in the future. His hobbies include playing double bass, reading, golfing, and listening to Jazz.
How has your community college experience shaped your character?
How Community College has Shaped my Character: I came into community college somewhat reluctantly. I had always been resistant to community college, viewing it as a “lesser” form of education, and because of that prejudice, I started my educational journey at a four-year institution. Yet my time there was short; I felt as though I was not really learning and growing as much as I was going through the motions of what was expected of me as a student. So, on a whim, I decided to give ACC a try. Community college brings together vastly different people from varying backgrounds and compels them towards a common goal, and it was the diversity I encountered at ACC that challenged me to become a more open-minded and thoughtful individual, and rethink my past views. It broadened my horizons and helped me realise that learning is not just about memorizing content and getting the best grade, but about growing as a person and seeking to understand those around you. It was this realization that pushed me to seek new environments that challenge my pre-existing notions and instill a more nuanced vision of the world in me. Being in community college has given me an enhanced understanding of myself, my peers, and the power education holds in shaping our individual characters.