Austin Community College’s (ACC) Computer Science & Information Technology (CS&IT) Division is entering a new chapter—one shaped by collaboration, shared leadership, and the collective work of faculty who have helped build a more responsive and student-centered structure for the years ahead.

Over the past year, faculty, staff, and division leaders have worked closely to reimagine how ACC supports programs in rapidly evolving technology fields. This work culminated in the establishment of two new departments—Software Development & Computer Science and Information Technology & Cybersecurity—each aligned to better meet the needs of students, industry partners, and faculty expertise.

This shift represents more than a structural update. It reflects a new paradigm for CS&IT: one that is faculty-led, intentionally collaborative, and grounded in distributed leadership.

“This restructuring reflects the very best of ACC—faculty and staff coming together to build something stronger for our students and for Central Texas,” said Brandon Whatley, Associate Vice Chancellor of Workforce Education. “Our CS&IT programs have always been closely connected, and this new structure allows us to lean into that strength. By empowering faculty leadership, we’re building programs that are more aligned, more responsive, and better positioned to meet the needs of a rapidly changing skilled technical workforce.”

Built by Faculty, for Faculty and Students

From the beginning, this restructuring effort was rooted in deep faculty engagement. CS&IT faculty helped determine program alignment, create guiding processes, and assess what students need to succeed in high-demand tech pathways.

Working together, faculty established:

  • An internal Curriculum Committee, led by faculty, to review, revise, and align awards with industry needs.
  • An annual Strategic Planning Committee, composed of faculty and the dean, tasked with collaboratively shaping the academic-year schedule—including the 2027 schedule currently in development.
  • Shared processes and expectations across the new departments, including onboarding, advising alignment, and program coordination.

This collective work demonstrates distributed leadership at its best: a model where faculty expertise drives decision-making, peer collaboration supports continuous improvement, and students remain at the center of every step.

“The CS&IT reorganization was a true example of distributed leadership in action. Brandon Whatley and Venancio Ybarra’s trust and support created the space for faculty, staff, and students to meaningfully shape the direction of the division. I’m deeply grateful for the collaborative spirit everyone brought to this process, and the final structure truly reflects the collective wisdom of our entire division.” -Karina Hernandez, Associate Dean, Office of Distance & Alternative Education

Welcoming Our New Department Chairs

ACC is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Department Chairs to lead the recently established CS&IT departments.

Software Development & Computer Science

Manuel V. Duran, Department Chair
Manuel brings more than 15 years of higher education experience, along with a leadership style grounded in collaboration, continuous improvement, and student advocacy. At ACC, he has guided innovative teaching practices, strengthened assessment and program development, and championed a faculty-driven culture of service and integrity.

“Stepping into this role has reaffirmed my belief that leadership has the greatest impact when it is shared. The reorganization process brought faculty and staff together in a way that honored every voice, every contribution, and the collective purpose we serve. Serving as the Software Development & Computer Science Department Chair is an honor rooted in trust, shared vision, shared effort, and the understanding that our progress is built through collaboration. I am humbled by the confidence placed in me, and I look forward to continuing this work side by side with a team guided by integrity, curiosity, and a deep commitment to student success. My approach is simple: results matter, but people matter more. When faculty feel valued, when staff are supported, and when students remain at the center of our decisions, meaningful outcomes follow. Together we will build a department that reflects who we are at our best and what we aspire to create for our students and community.” -Manuel Duran

Information Technology & Cybersecurity

Fred Lover, Department Chair
Fred is a Professor of Computer Science and Information Technology known nationally for his expertise in cybersecurity education. His leadership in developing ACC’s Cybersecurity Training Center and the Army Software Factory has shaped high-impact learning experiences for both students and service members. His extensive industry background, community service, and advisory work demonstrate his commitment to building strong, future-ready programs.

Both chairs will begin their two-year appointments at the start of the spring semester, with onboarding already underway.

Celebrating the Extraordinary Leadership of Mary Kohls (50+ Years)

As the division looks to the future, it also honors an extraordinary legacy. CS&IT recently celebrated Mary Kohls’ more than 50 years of service, including her transformational leadership as Department Chair, her role in shaping ACC’s bachelor’s degrees in Cybersecurity and Software Development, her guidance through major program expansions, and her unwavering dedication to student success.

Her impact, spanning curriculum innovation, workforce partnerships, the launch of the Software Factory, and decades of student engagement through Phi Theta Kappa, will continue to shape ACC for years to come. Please join us in celebrating Mary on Friday, December 5, at Highland Campus (HLC), Building 4000, Lower Atrium, from 12 to 2 p.m.

Honoring Dean Venancio Ybarra Jr. as He Retires

This period of change also marks an important transition in leadership. Dean Venancio Ybarra Jr. has announced his retirement after many years of service to the CS&IT Division and to ACC.

Dean Ybarra has been instrumental in guiding CS&IT through this restructuring, supporting faculty collaboration, and ensuring continuity during a complex transition. His leadership has left a lasting impact on the division’s culture, structure, and future direction.

ACC will be posting the Dean of Computer Science & IT position soon, with the intent to fill it as quickly as possible while prioritizing the right fit. An interim dean will be named in the coming weeks.

We extend our deepest appreciation to Dean Ybarra for his service, vision, and commitment to our faculty and students.

Moving Forward—Together

As CS&IT steps into this new chapter, one thing is clear: the strength of the division lies in its people. The work ahead, learning together, solving challenges together, and shaping programs together, will be a continuation of what faculty have already demonstrated throughout this restructuring process.

This is a division built on shared leadership, continuous learning, and the collective belief that together, we can build something stronger than any of us could build alone.

ACC faculty are invited to review the updated CS&IT departmental structure and program alignment here.