Professor of General Studies, Student Development
Andrew Costigan is a professor in the Student Development Department at Austin Community College (ACC), where he is in his sixth year teaching Learning Frameworks. Andrew teaches Dual Credit/Early College High School (ECHS) sections, as well as sections with post-high school-aged students. He loves working at the college and helping students to discover what they want out of the experience and how to start making those milestones happen.
How has your community college teaching experience shaped your character over your career?
Teaching at ACC has shaped my character in a several key ways. First, working with classes each semester and co-creating our learning experience together, I have learned a great deal from my students. They often model what tenacity looks like, especially in the context of a first year course. Also, drawing from the efforts I observe my students putting forward, I have found a greater courage to explore all that the college offers from the standpoint of a faculty member, working to integrate myself more into our college’s wide ranging oppportunities. Lastly, working at ACC has taught me humility, as I have come to regard imperfections in my teaching and even “mistakes” made as opportunities to learn from and keep it moving, modeling this tact for my students as well.